Abstract: An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.

Abstract: An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.

Abstract: A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a cannula; a light guide within the cannula, configured to receive a light beam from the light source, to guide the light beam to a distal end of the light guide, and to emit the light beam at the distal end of the light guide; and a multi-spot generator at a distal end of the cannula, the multi-spot generator having a faceted proximal surface with oblique facets, configured to receive the light beam emitted at the distal end of the light guide and to split the received light beam into multiple beam-components, and a distal surface through which the multiple beam-components exit the multi-spot generator, wherein the proximal surface of the multi-spot generator is micro-structured with a modulation length smaller than a wavelength of the light beam in order to reduce the reflectance of light back into the probe.

Abstract: An extra-oral light therapy device comprises a support that registers against features of a patient's head. A light source is mounted to the support. The light source may comprise an array of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A controller controls the extra-oral light therapy device. The support may comprise a tray fitted to the patient's teeth or a head-set fitted to the patient's ears and the bridge of the patient's nose. An external light therapy device has a thin, molded substrate, at least one array of light emitters mounted onto the thin, molded substrate, an attaching means for removably attaching the device to an area of treatment, and a controller for controlling the external light therapy device. Methods for supporting light sources adjacent desired treatment locations and for treating jaw bone disorders and jaw osteonecrosis and biostimulating bone and soft tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a subcutaneous fat region is provided. The method includes generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 1,200 nm to about 1,230 nm and delivering an average power density of less than or equal to about 2.3 W/cm2 of the electromagnetic radiation to the subcutaneous fat region for at least 300 seconds. The method also includes cooling an epidermal region and at least a portion of a dermal region overlying the subcutaneous fat region for at least a portion of the at least 300 seconds. The method further includes causing necrosis of at least one fat cell in the subcutaneous fat region.

Abstract: A light-beam therapeutic apparatus used for a therapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is disclosed, which includes an apparatus body portion having a light source; a light guide rod that guides light from the light source, a connecting socket, a cooling fan, an electronic component that performs control required for a therapy, and a control display panel that displays the contents of therapy; a therapeutic portion including a light guide portion including a plurality of bundled optical fibers, and a pad portion formed of the optical fibers spread out adjacently to one another into a flat-panel shape, and the therapeutic portion is formed into a light-receiving plug insertable into a connecting socket of the apparatus body portion, and the optical fibers positioned on the pad portion are subjected to exposing processing and have a protecting surface layer portion formed of a bag member filled with transparent and highly flexible high-molecular gel.

Abstract: A method of treating a human eye, generally to correct vision, and preferably in one embodiment to increase the amplitude of accommodation of the lens. The method utilizes a laser to create a desired pattern within the lens. Various patterns for treating the eye lens are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dermatologic treatment device having a light source emitting optical radiation beneficial to a dermatologic treatment, and a user interface selectively operating the device in at least one of a pulse mode and strobe mode. The light source emits a single optical radiation pulse in pulse mode to spot treat a portion of a skin surface during the dermatologic treatment, and the light source emits a continuous sequence of optical radiation pulses in strobe mode to treat multiple locations on the skin surface during the dermatologic treatment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to said the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: Catheter devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels and methods of using the same are provided. Catheter devices are useful to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Distal features of the catheter devices comprise arrangements of laser ablative or mechanical cutting features that generally provide enhanced surface areas and cutting functions. Spiral or helical arrangements are provided to aid in cutting operations.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe including a probe body which defines a longitudinal probe axis. The electrosurgical probe also includes a first and second conductive electrode, each disposed along the probe axis. The surface area of the first conductive electrode is greater of the surface area of the second conductive electrode. The ratio of the surface area of the first conductive electrode to the surface area of the second conductive electrode may be adjustable. Another aspect of the present invention is an electrosurgical probe having a probe body which defines a single longitudinal probe axis. The electrosurgical probe of this aspect of the invention further includes more than two electrodes operatively disposed at separate and distinct positions along the axis of the probe body. The electrodes may be selectively connected to one of or a combination of a stimulation energy source, an ablation energy source or a ground for either energy source.

Abstract: A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion. By appropriately maneuvering each member and applying radiofrequency energy between the proximal and distal ends of the occlusion, a continuous channel is created.

Abstract: An endoscope for an optical fiber provides for inflow and outflow of irrigant. A telescope is included having a field of view directed into a working region. The endoscope defines a “hooded region” with an extended, blunt tip. The optical fiber fits within the endoscope has a side or end firing tip with an emission surface. A guide element is adapted to movably support the optical fiber in a position spaced away from the working region, and limit lateral movement of the tip without preventing longitudinal and rotational movement. An irrigant flow arrangement operates to direct inflowing irrigant over the emission surface of the tip. The fiber is assembled with a fiber coupler, a handle, a fiber port cap, and a travel limiter fixed to the fiber at a predetermined distance from the tip. The travel limiter cooperates with the endoscope and the fiber port cap to limit longitudinal and rotational movement of the fiber.

Abstract: A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion. By appropriately maneuvering each member and applying radiofrequency energy between the proximal and distal ends of the occlusion, a continuous channel is created.

Abstract: A laser generator for laser therapy in the treatment of pain conditions by selective destruction of nociceptive or pain nerves, where a laser generator that generates a continuous and pulsed wavelength that is transmitted fiber-optically through a laser fiber within a spinal needle to contact areas within a body where pain nerves require destruction through optical absorption of laser energy by pain nerves without affecting other types of nerves or surrounding tissues. The laser generator can be used for treatment in humans, small animals and also large animals, which can receive pain relief without adverse effects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to produce controlled ablation of material through the use of laser pulses of short pulse widths at short wavelengths.

Abstract: A microwave applicator having a probe which comprises an elongate shaft (14), the shaft having an external tubular wall (18), a radiating portion (15) disposed at the distal end of the shaft (14), a transmission line (17) extending to the radiating portion internally of the tubular external wall (18), and an elongate flow dividing member (19) which co-extends with the transmission line (17) longitudinally of the shaft (14), the side wall of the transmission line (17) and the side wall of the flow dividing member (19) contacting each other and contacting the internal surface of the external tubular wall (18) at two-spatially separated discrete positions, thereby defining a pair of flow channels (20, 21) inside the shaft (14). In use, cooling fluid can pass down one channel (20) and return via the other channel (21). The structure of the probe is uncomplicated and the probe is straightforward to assemble.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing robotically-assisted surgical procedures on a patient enable an image display device to provide an operator with auxiliary information related to the surgical procedure, in addition to providing an image of the surgical site itself. The systems and methods allow an operator to selectively access and reference auxiliary information on the image display device during the performance of a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An elongate member for inserting into a cannula is disclosed. The cannula comprises an electrically insulated region and an electrically exposed conductive region for delivering energy to form a lesion within a patient's body at an intended location relative to the electrically exposed conductive region. The elongate member is structured to cooperatively engage with the cannula at a pre-determined insertion depth and to provide a variation in radiopacity, at a pre-determined position relative to the electrically exposed conductive region, when inserted to the pre-determined insertion depth. The variation in radiopacity provides a visual reference for distinguishing, using fluoroscopic imaging, the intended location of the lesion.