Abstract: A laser irradiation apparatus including a long and slender main body, an optical fiber, a drive unit, and a reflector. The optical fiber provided is slidable inside the main body, and has a proximal end through which a laser ray is introduced and a distal end through which the laser ray is emitted. The drive unit causes the optical fiber to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction of the main body. The reflector is connected to the optical fiber and has a reflection plane for reflecting the laser ray emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber for reciprocating together with the optical fiber. The reflection plane changes its reflecting angle in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for controlling an apparatus for removing tissue from the eye performs various types of corrections using a relatively large beam, but oscillating, or dithering, that being to prevent reinforcing ridges from being formed during the tissue removal process. Further, various types of correction, such as hyperopia and astigmatism correction, are performed using a large beam that is scanned over the area to be ablated using overlapping shots. Further, the epithelium in the area to be treated is removed using an infrared fluorescent dye to dye the epithelium, and then observing the fluorescent patterns from the epithelium area to be removed. Once a certain area is no longer fluorescent after laser shots, smaller shots are then applied, selectively removing the epithelium from the remaining regions. Again, the fluorescence patterns are observed, and the process is repeated until no epithelium remains.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical waveguide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the waveguide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

Abstract: A laser system and techniques which compensate for laser fluence drop off or losses of irradiation as an ablating laser beam is traversed on a curved surface (e.g., on corneal tissue). The disclosed ablating laser system and techniques compensate for fluence differentials from pulse-to-pulse by adjusting an appropriate parameter of a laser beam. In the preferred embodiment, the number of pulses imparted in the periphery, the size or shape of the ablating laser beam is adjusted with, e.g., a variable aperture placed in the beam delivery path, by changing a magnification of relay optics in the beam delivery path, or by increasing a number of ablation spots in peripheral portions of an ablation zone as compared with the number of ablation spots in a central portion of the ablation zone. The fluence is compensated for using empirically measured or theoretical fluence correction factors given the angle of the laser beam, size and shape of the ablation spot, etc.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for focusing light comprising the steps of: projecting at least one pulse of light onto the surface of the skin of a patient; collecting at least a portion of the light that is reflected from the skin of the patient; projecting the collected, reflected light onto a detector; and adjusting the projection of the pulsed light onto the surface of the skin of the patient in such a manner that the signal projected onto the detector is optimized. When the light pulse is properly focused, e.g., when it is characterized by the best focus, it can be used to provide energy to form an opening in the skin of the patient. When more than one pulse of light is required to form an opening in the skin of the patient, aligning the light prior to each pulse will improve the efficiency of formation of the opening.

Abstract: A laser system and process by which prior art medical and cosmetic laser techniques using laser beams chosen to produce selective thermolysis are enhanced by the addition of a second laser beam chosen for much deeper transmission in tissue and more uniform absorption. Preferred embodiments include enforcement with a 1079 nm YAP:Nd laser beam of a 532 nm beam produced by a frequency doubled YAG:Nd laser beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus using the principles of time-resolved spectroscopy are disclosed. The present invention employs incident light pulses of sufficiently short duration to permit the rate of the rise and decay of such pulses to be measured. Consequently, the rate of decay, u, permits a determination of the concentration of an absorptive pigment, such as hemoglobin. The present invention also allows the precise path length the photons travel to be determined. Using this path length information and by measuring changes in optical density using known continuous light (CW) spectrophotometry systems, the methods and apparatus disclosed allow changes in the concentration of an absorptive pigment to be correctly be measured. From these data, the oxygenation state of a tissue region, such as the brain, can be accurately determined in real time.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy of PRK wherein a UV power meter is placed in the optical path of the laser beam. In one preferred embodiment, the power meter is placed distal to the last optical element so that any optical degradation that affects laser performance is taken into account. The meter consists of a UV-B cube and a pulnix camera with a software package. The meter is used to monitor the fluence of each laser pulse. The power meter is used to size each pulse and to quantify the energy in each pulse. Sensing means is employed to measure intraoperative pulse-to-pulse energy during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), using said data in conjunction with the location of the pulse within the ablation zone to determine the cumulative energy thus being achieved, and adjusting said laser to treat more or less at each point based upon the difference between the ideal cumulative energy map and the observed cumulative energy map derived from intraoperative power determination.

Abstract: The invention provides improved structures, systems, and methods for supporting the optical elements of a microscope relative to the optical train of a laser surgery system. As the field of view of the microscope is substantially fully determined by the position of the objective lens, the laser delivery optics and the microscope can be aligned with a target location of the patient's eye by accurately aligning just the objective lens with the delivery optics. By structurally separating the objective lens from the other optical components of the microscope, and by maintaining accurate alignment between the objective lens and the laser delivery optics with a simple, tight-tolerance support structure, the remaining optical components of the microscope can be allowed to “float” relative to the objective lens with a looser-tolerance without degrading the operator's ability to align, observe, and optically direct an ophthalmic laser procedure.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: A dental or surgical handpiece which operates on the basis of laser includes a light guide for the laser which, in order to ensure the relative rotation between supply hose and handpiece, is arranged concentrically in the coupling between the supply hose and the handpiece. The light guide of the supply hose extends in one piece into the handpiece and, starting from the coupling with the supply hose, the light guide is displaced increasingly eccentrically toward the inner side of the bend of the angle piece, and the end of the light guide is rotatably mounted in a receiving unit of the handpiece.

Abstract: A method of modifying a cornea of an eye, including the steps of separating an internal portion of the cornea into first and second internal corneal surfaces. Ocular material is then inserted in-between the first and second corneal surfaces. A flap is formed on the surface of the cornea and moved to expose a third internal corneal surface, which is ablated with a laser.

Abstract: A photosensitizer together with complementary light energy are used to prevent the development of infection associated with an indwelling medical catheter or device. Light of a selected wavelength or wavelength band is coupled to the catheter or device and transmitted by a wall or walls thereof to one or both of the external and internal surfaces thereof. The catheter or device also incorporates at least one photosensitizer which releases a toxic substance when activated by the light energy which destroys bacteria on or around the catheter or device. A method of preventing infection using photosensitizers and complementary light energy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser therapy assembly (1) for the revascularization of muscular tissues (t), especially cardiac muscular tissue, with a laser source (2) and an optical coupling unit (9, 11) for transmitting the laser beam (L) into the muscular tissue, with an ultrasound generator (6) connected to the optical coupling unit for a transfer of heat to the muscular tissue, which can be regulated independently from the laser beam with the purpose of producing a thermal effect that can be separately adjusted, especially a marginal thermal necrosis, in a channel generated in the muscular tissue.

Abstract: Laser energy produced by a laser operating In the mid-infrared region (approximately 2 micrometers) Is delivered by an optical fiber in a catheter to a surgical site for biological tissue removal and repair. Disclosed laser sources which have an output wavelength in this region include: Holmium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Ho:YAG), Holmium-doped Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (Ho:YLF), Erbium-doped YAG, Erbium-doped YLF and Thulium-doped YAG. For tissue removal, the lasers are operated with relatively long pulses at energy levels of approximately 1 joule per pulse. For tissue repair, the lasers are operated in a continuous wave mode at low power. Laser output energy is applied to a silica-based optical fiber which has been specially purified to reduce the hydroxyl-ion concentration to a low level. The catheter may be comprised of a single optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers arranged to give overlapping output patterns for large area coverage.

Abstract: A flashlamp-excited dye laser generating light pulses for therapy has a circulator which circulates a gain media through a dye cell. A controller coordinates operation by triggering flashlamps to excite the laser gain media while the circulator is circulating the gain media. This operation enables the effective generation of laser light pulses with a duration of at least one millisecond. The laser pulse is formed from many subpulses. If the flow velocity of dye solution is great enough such that the new solution enters the resonant cavity before the solutions in the cavity are substantially spent, subsequent subpulses are not quenched, enabling the generation of ultra-long effective pulses with high fluences. Specifically, longer effective pulses of up to 50 msec are attainable with energies of up to 50 Joules. These energies enable reasonable spot sizes, which makes the invention relevant to cutaneous as well as deep tissue therapy, for example.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting mechanism provides accurate cutting and ablating operations on soft tissues such as skin. Electromagnetic energy is concentrated into moist air and/or atomized fluid particles above the skin and, subsequently, the electromagnetic energy is absorbed by the moisture and/or atomized fluid particles to impart disruptive forces onto the skin. The moist air and/or atomized fluid particles may be medicated.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for removing the lens of the eye in which pulsed ultrasound and laser energy are transmitted by means of an optical fiber delivery system to the lens of the eye for therapeutic purposes. The parameters of laser radiation are chosen to optimize the processes of photo-phacoablation and photo-phacodisruption. The vibrational frequencies of ultrasound are selected to optimize sono-fragmentation sono-cavitation. Both laser radiation and ultrasound energy are delivered in effective combinations to maximize the precise removal of cataractous lens material.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for external medical treatment of the oral cavity with the aid of light. A light-emitting device is held against or in the close proximity to a patient's cheek. The device includes light-emitting diodes or corresponding elements that emit infrared (IR) light. A drive arrangement includes a computer and circuits for driving the light-emitting diodes, wherein the computer delivers electric signals to the drive circuits. The drive arrangement causes the light-emitting device to emit infrared light in accordance with a series of pulse repetition frequencies of about 7.8 Hz, followed by light that has a pulse repetition frequency of about 287 Hz, which is followed by light that has a pulse repetition frequency of about 31.2 Hz.

Abstract: Myocardial revascularization is performed by an apparatus and method which forms channels in the myocardium from inside the ventricular cavity without penetrating the full thickness of the ventricular wall. A catheter has a fiber optic connected at its handling end to a laser, and terminates at the insertable end of the catheter. A servomotor controls the advancing of the fiber to stop positions relative to the catheter. At each stop position another channel is created. An aiming beam aids in directing the channel forming fiber end to different desired channel positions.