Abstract: This relates to a device for treating lung disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airways of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the airways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body of a subject being treated to deliver localized x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a cathode structure that has a thin, diamond film as a cathode. The device further comprises a vacuum housing and an anode. A method for fabricating a device for localized x-ray radiation is described which includes the formation of a thin diamond film on a getter at temperatures below an activation temperature of the getter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for improved biostimulative effect through the use of low mode/oligomode fibers to transport coherent light to a treatment site. Oligomode fibers or groups/bundles of oligomode waveguides for the relevant irradiation wavelength are used for radiation transport. Selective leakage of the radiation from this delivery system is achieved at the desired application sites of the biostimulation by suitable means, one being evanescent wave decouplers. The result is a low intensity exposure of coherent light to tissue or organic material that is more effective than conventional biostimulative procedures. Delivery systems based on such waveguides can cover large areas due to the low transmission losses of the waveguide. The waveguide can be inserted into hydrocultures or earth to provide radiation and thus biostimulation of seeds and cuttings in situ. Coherent radiation can also improve the health, healing and fertility of animals.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain is provided. The therapy apparatus includes a light source having an output emission area positioned to irradiate a portion of the brain with an efficacious power density and wavelength of light. The therapy apparatus further includes an element interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp. The element is adapted to inhibit temperature increases at the scalp caused by the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cells at a tissue site, such as an infection or sterilization site or cancer cell activity site, including applying a solution such as methylene blue, toluidene blue, polymyxin B, SDS, or other surfactants and combinations thereof to the tissue site and exposing the tissue site with a light having a light wavelength and light dosage and a light dosage rate. The solution may have a concentration of methylene blue between 5 ?g/ml to about 100 ?g/ml. The wavelength may range from about 610 nm to about 670 nm. The light dosage may range from about 0 J/cm2 to about 200 J/cm2. The light dosage rate may range from about 0 mw/cm2 to about 150 mw/cm2. Treatable organisms include candida albicans, escherechia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, and clostridia.

Abstract: A method of detecting and correcting a debilitating causative factor of a health issue in a human system includes the steps of determining a debilitating causative factor in the human system and treating the human system by subjecting the human system to a low level laser having a deactivating frequency corresponding to the debilitating causative factor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an atherosclerotic target region of a coronary vessel in a patient are disclosed. The method includes delivering to the patient, a photoatherolytic compound, to cause accumulation of the compound in the target region, accessing the target region intraluminally with a guidewire, and advancing over the guidewire, a catheter having (i) a proximal main-body sleeve, (ii) a flexible, non-inflatable, translucent distal-end sleeve joined to the main-body sleeve at a catheter juncture, and (iii) an inner lumen extending through the two sleeves, said advancing being effective to position the catheter's distal-end sleeve within the target region. The guidewire is then removed and replaced by a fiber-optic bundle having a light-diffusing tip, until said tip is positioned adjacent the catheter juncture.

Abstract: A dental laser arrangement switchable between different modes of operation, the arrangement including a laser device operable as a laser oscillator and as a laser amplifier. The laser device includes a laser resonator having a pump unit and an active modelocker as well as an optic loss element that introduces selective losses in the resonator. The laser arrangement further includes a laser beam-out-coupling unit. The modelocker is connected to a control circuit for switching between a CW-mode of operation for coagulating soft tissue, in which the modelocker is switched off, and two short-pulse modes of operation in which high frequency signals of equal frequencies, but different powers are applied by the control circuit to the modelocker so as to generate laser pulses of a pre-determined duration.

Abstract: A catheter device for treating a vascular disease is provided. The catheter device includes an energy delivery device such as an optical fiber for delivering laser energy and a catheter. The catheter lumen receives the optical fiber and a fluid such as an anesthetic agent or vasoconstricting agent. According to the invention, a plurality of exits are formed in the sidewall of the catheter. The exits are in communication with the catheter lumen and administer the fluid into the blood vessel. By administering the fluid from within the catheter lumen, the present catheter device eliminates the need to make numerous external punctures to deliver fluid injections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to apply photo-stimulation, photo-dynamic therapy and/or ablation laser treatment to biological tissue. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation energy sources, preferably laser beams. Additionally, the apparatus allows either a single wavelength or a combination of various wavelengths, either coincidentally or adjacently, to be utilized to achieve a desired treatment effect. Laser beams are transmitted to the treatment area by one or more fiber optic cables which terminate at an assembly structured to collimate the emitted radiation prior to application to the tissue. In addition, the apparatus includes a focal length setting mechanism which assures that a constant, fixed distance exists between the point of discharge of the laser beam and the biological tissue, thus assuring a constant energy density at the point of application. A method is presented for applying photo-stimulation, photocollagen stimulation and/or ablation laser treatment utilizing the above apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for operation on a cornea by ablating with a laser beam for correcting ametropia; the apparatus comprising an input device utilized for inputting each data necessary for correction, a first correcting device for irradiating a laser beam for correcting myopic astigmatism, a second correcting device for irradiating a laser beam for correcting hyperopic astigmatism, a calculating device for calculating each correction-data based on the each inputted data in case of combining the first and second correcting means, and a control device for ablating the cornea by controlling the first and second correcting means based on results calculated by the calculating device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intrastromal refractive surgery is disclosed wherein tissue at selected locations within the stroma of the cornea is photoablated using a pulsed laser beam. The apparatus includes an optical system for forming a shaped laser beam having a waist at a predetermined distance from the optical system. The pulse duration and pulse energy of the laser beam are selected to cause ablation to occur in front of the waist (i.e. between the waist and the optical system). To achieve this, a pulse energy is used that exceeds the minimum pulse energy required for ablation at the waist. By ablating in front of the waist, a relatively large ablation zone (per pulse) is created (compared to ablation at the waist). Furthermore, while the laser is scanned through the cornea to effectuate a refractive change, the optical system maintains a uniform waist for the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for permanently or temporarily removing human hair, for miniaturizing the same or for changing the color thereof. This apparatus can also be used for coagulating blood vessels, veins or a selective injury of the derma collagen in order to regenerate the same. This apparatus uses one or more incandescent lamps (4) in which the radiation spectrum (34) can be modulated in order to heat slowly and efficiently the derma (17) and in order to heat locally the hair follicles (35). This apparatus also includes an optical system that converts the blue-green portion of the spectrum of the incandescent lamps (4) into a red region of the spectrum, that provides a highly efficient concentration of converted radiation from the incandescent filament (37) of the lamps (4) on the area of biological tissues to be treated, and that ensures a repeated recirculation towards the skin (17) of the radiation scattered by the same.

Abstract: Battery powered and wall plug powered handheld therapy devices for treating a variety of ailments such as inflammations, nerve problems, joint pain, muscle pain, as well as gall bladder type problems. The device can have a multi-faced shaped emitting main crystal with side crystals that can be used with a flashing strobe light source to generate variable frequency pulses toward the effected body part to be treated. Alternatively, or additionally, the device can use an electromagnetic type generator to generate fixed frequency signals toward an effected body area to be treated. Up to approximately six small crystals or more can be positioned to a base portion of the emitting crystal on each of the six faces of the emitting crystal. The side crystals can be used as antennas to receive ambient energy in order to be focused by the main crystal. Hand grips or a floor based stand can be used to elevate the device up to approximately 18 inches above the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods employ a guide element that carries a region of energy emitting material. The systems and methods electronically couple the region to a source of energy that, when emitted by the region, ablates tissue. The systems and methods are responsive to user commands for changing the physical characteristics of the lesions being created by electronically altering the energy emitting characteristics of the region itself.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that prevent or inhibit functional regression caused by the stromal remodeling resulting from epithelial or fibroblastic apoptosis or necrosis in patients who will undergo or have undergone a thermal ciliary muscle tendinoplasty or scleral collagen shrinkage procedures. Methods and compositions are provided that prevent apoptosis in epithelial cells by stromal cooling during thermal tendinoplasty procedures; that create or restore stabilizing molecular cross-links between scleral stromal lamellar fibers; and that interrupt at least one step in the stromal remodeling response including inhibition of apoptosis, fibroblastic proliferation and migration, and inhibition of collagenesis.

Abstract: A nozzle and electrode combination for use with an electrosurgical device is described. The nozzle includes a shroud defining a channel and a lumen which intersect to define an acute angle. An electrode is positioned within the channel and includes a distal end extending from a distal portion of the shroud and a proximal end extending from the proximal portion of the shroud. An end cap positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the shroud about the electrode is preferably overmolded to the shroud and the electrode. Preferably, a portion of the walls defining the channel and/or the lumen include conductive material which communicates with the electrode to eliminate electric potential within the shroud.

Abstract: To provide a medical energy irradiation apparatus which permits easy and accurate establishment of a site of tissues of a living body targeted for irradiation with energy, when doctors use the medical energy irradiation apparatus to perform a cure for a prostatic hyperplasia or the like. The doctors insert an applicator 110 of the medical energy irradiation apparatus to an urinary bladder 161 and fix an endoscope 135 near to an entrance of an urethra. In this arrangement, when observing with the endoscope (135), a seminal colliculas 144 observed through a side-observation window 130 is observed toward a lower part of an observed image (schematic diagram) displayed on a display unit, and a positioning marker 140 in an interior of the applicator is observed toward an upper part of an observed image.

Abstract: An apparatus for clogging blood vessels of an eye fundus includes an illuminating optical system (1) for illuminating an eye fundus of a subject, who has been given an injection of an infrared fluorescent agent, with infrared rays of light and exciting the infrared fluorescent agent so as to generate infrared fluorescence, a photographic optical system (2) for observing and photographing the eye fundus, and a projecting optical system (21) for projecting a laser beam of light having a specific wavelength onto the subject who has been also given an injection of a photosensitive substance which undergoes a photochemical change by the laser beam. In the apparatus, while a region which emits infrared fluorescence is being observed, the laser beam is projected onto the photosensitive substance so as to clog blood vessels of a diseased part in the depth of the eye fundus.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.