Abstract: A binocular indirect laser ophthalmoscope is provided comprising binocular eyepieces each having an optical axis defining an optical plane, the ophthalmoscope having a central viewing axis lying in the optical plane; and an optical element adapted to position a laser beam into the optical plan substantially on the viewing axis and substantially parallel to the viewing axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for measurement of a polarized distribution, a polarizing filter for use of the apparatus and a polarizing filter assembly. The apparatus for measurement of polarized distribution comprises an illuminating optical system for illuminating a subject to be examined by circularly polarized detecting light, and an image receiving optical system for receiving detected light from said subject illuminated by said circularly polarized detecting light. The image receiving optical system includes a CCD element having an imaging provided integrally with a polarizing filter. The polarizing filter is composed of repetitions of unit platelets comprising polarizing micro-plates for decomposing the detecting light into first linearly polarized light components which are mutually perpendicular and polarizing micro-plates for decomposing the detecting light into second linearly polarized light components in a direction of crossing to the first linearly polarized light components.

Abstract: A monopole phased array thermotherapy applicator radiating radiofrequency energy for inducing a temperature rise in a target within a body includes a plurality of monopole elements each for transmitting electric-field radiation; a metallic waveguide with an RF reflecting ground plane surface with a plurality of circular holes for mounting the monopole elements where the metallic waveguide forms an aperture for receiving a body to be treated; a waveform generator providing a source of electric field coupled to each monopole radiating element through a respective phase and power weighting network; at least one electric field probe positioned on a skin surface of the body for detecting electric field radiation from the plurality of monopole elements; and a controller circuit coupled to the electric field probe received feedback signals to adjust the phase and power delivered to the plurality of monopole elements so that one or more adaptive nulls are formed on the surface of the body and a focus is formed at the

Abstract: A tanning bed formed a plurality of modular components that are integrated in a knock-down fashion that allows easy shipment of tanning beds in less than complete form, but allows the rapid assembly without the need of special training or tools.

Abstract: A laser device preferably includes a laser device body, at least one laser unit and at least one light emitting diodes (LED). The laser device body includes a cover which is attached to a top of a skirt. The skirt includes a contact skirt extending outward from a periphery of a mounting plate. The at least one laser unit and at least one LED are retained in the mounting plate. A DC power supply is preferably used to power the at least one laser unit and the at least one LED. A plurality of rounded projections extend from a bottom of the contact skirt. A strap is preferably included, such that the laser device may be retained by a hand of a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device used for the photorefractive keratectomy of the eye, especially LASIK, uses an UV laser beam for ablating parts of the cornea. A centering light beam is arranged coaxially with respect to the fixing light beam and has a wavelength different from that of the fixing light beam. The device is provided with devices for measuring and evaluating the position of the scattered light/Fresnel reflection of the centering light beam on the front face of the cornea. The point in which the centering light beam passes through the front face of the cornea is used as the center of ablation.

Abstract: A shape-retaining bag having a front and a back connected to each other to define a chamber between for housing and retaining a fill material within a plurality of cells within the chamber which are made of a plurality of walls and one or more flow diverters adjacent to the cells and on the ends of the walls. A passageway is on a fill-side with a second passageway on an opposing side, each passageway extending approximately from one end side to another end side of the bag. As fill material is introduced into the chamber, it passes through the cells and the passageways in a fashion dictated by the cells and by the flow diverters until the bag is filled. The configuration of the various cells and flow diverters permit the bag to retain its shape notwithstanding the fill material within.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or suppressing stenosis associated with an arteriovenous access. A dosage of photosensitive compound is introduced into the artery or vein. An anastomotic area of the artery or vein is then exposed to a source of light having a wavelength suitable for photoactivating the photosensitive compound for a period of time sufficient to provide a therapeutic effect. A method is also described for the delivery of drugs into the anastomotic site of an AV access to inhibit the formation of stenotic lesions at those sites.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a material including conducting and non-conducting materials such as biological tissue, cellulose or plastic while the material is submerged in a conductive liquid medium. The apparatus has a cutting electrode with an elongate cutting portion having an aspect ratio (length to width) of 1 or more and a return electrode. The two electrodes are immersed in the conductive medium and a voltage is applied between them to heat the medium, thus producing a vapor cavity around the elongate cutting portion and ionizing a gas inside the vapor cavity to produce a plasma. The voltage applied between the electrodes is modulated in pulses having a modulation format selected to minimize the size of the vapor cavity, its rate of formation and heat diffusion into the material while the latter is cut with an edge of the elongate cutting portion. The modulation format includes pulses ranging in duration from 10 &mgr;s to 10 ms, as well as minipulses and micropulses, as necessary.

Abstract: A cooling body wrap for rapidly inducing hypothermia, includes: (a) a fluid-impermeable, flexible, conformable envelope; (b) a mixture of from about 20 to about 90 weight % of alkanes having a carbon chain length of between 10 and 14, and from about 10 to about 80 weight % of a gel or viscous fluid carrier in which the alkanes are relatively evenly distributed, the mixture being sealed within the envelope; (c) at least one layer of insulation adjacent to a first side of the envelope; and (d) fastening means for fastening the body wrap around a body part.

Abstract: A device for the medical treatment of the eye with laser radiation uses auxiliary radiation for determining the eye position. With the aid of the auxiliary radiation, pictures are taken by means of a solid state image camera for determining eye movements and for causing the laser treatment radiation to follow accordingly. Infrared radiation sources, which are arranged in a triangle above the eye to be treated, are used for the auxiliary radiation.

Abstract: A light-ray therapeutic apparatus having: a xenon illuminating lamp including a lamp body, a lamp holder provided in the lamp body, a xenon lamp held by the lamp holder, a reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from the xenon lamp, and a multilayer film coating-type spectral correction filter provided in a front portion of the lamp body; wherein, of the light from the xenon lamp, energy of ultraviolet rays having a wavelength not longer than 280 nm is cut off by the spectral correction filter, and spectral coincidence in an ultraviolet wavelength range of 280-400 nm, in a visible wavelength range of 380-780 nm, and in an infrared wavelength range of 780-2,500 nm are made 100±30% respectively, while the spectral coincidence is defined as a ratio of relative energy distribution of the light of the xenon lamp to relative energy distribution of the reference sunlight.

Abstract: In a probe (10, 20) for laser treatment of uneven structures or deformations of a body, the laser devices (16, 20, 22) are arranged on a partially domed surface (18, 24) in order to cover the uneven structures. The doming has a smooth surface treatment, which facilitates sweeping in the probe over uneven structures. The probe includes a handgrip (12), covered with a material that increases the adhesion to a hand. In particular, the probe is intended for treatment of neurological and rheumatic disease conditions.

Abstract: A metal probe for intracorporeal calculi crushing has a point at its distal end with one or several lateral notches next to the probe end. These notches secure a calculus laterally against an adjacent duct wall and thus prevent it from drawing aside when it is crushed by the notch.

Abstract: A light weight, portable thermal rescue/recovery system for mammals up to 300 lbs. In in weight, comprising of a mummy bag which contains a circulating liquid which is either heated when the mammal needs to be warmed as in the case of, for example, a mammal suffering from hypothermia, or cooled when the mammal's body temperature or skin temperature needs to be lowered as in the case of a burn, stroke and some heart attack victims. The mammal is placed into the mummy bag of the portable thermal rescue/recovery system which also has a pump to circulate the liquid and a heat exchanger to cool or heat the liquid. This portable thermal rescue/recovery system is suitable for all rescue vehicles including helicopters, boats, EMS ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, avalanche rescues, ice rescues and air cushion vehicles, as well as stretchers and other manual transport means, among others.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for treating near vision loss or deficiency, such as presbyopia. In contrast to conventional techniques, a peripheral ablation is provided in an annular zone of the cornea ranging from 5.5 to about 10+ mm to increase the dioptic power of this peripheral zone. The central zone disposed within the peripheral zone of the cornea is left untreated, is corrected for other vision deficiencies or is corrected so that it reverts to its characteristics prior to the peripheral ablation.

Abstract: A catheter device suitable for shrinking chordae tendineae of the human heart is provided having an energy conduit and a positioning device that facilitates the delivery of thermal energy, including coherent (laser) or non-coherent light, RF, microwave or ultrasound energy, to a predetermined region of the chordae tendineae or other collagen-containing tissue, such as the female urethra or the esophagus near the sphincter. The device comprises a tubular catheter containing an energy conduit, such as a fiber optic cable, adapted for delivering thermal energy to the tissue. The tubular catheter also contain a stabilizing device, disposed at its distal end, such as an asymmetrically shaped balloon or a retractable flexible metal hook. With the distal end of the catheter device positioned within a human heart, application of thermal energy to the chordae tendineae results in a shrinkage of the chordae, providing a treatment for primary mitral valve regurgitation.

Abstract: A heating device for maintaining an elevated temperature of a polymer resorbable implant is disclosed. The heating device has a pair of members coupled by a hinge. At least one of the members defines a sealed cavity containing a heated liquid which maintains the temperature of the resorbable polymer implant above the implant's glass transition temperature. The members of the device being rotatable about a hinge to allow encapsulation of the resorbable implant adjacent to the heat bearing liquid while maintaining a separation between the liquid and the implant device.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus which is used to treat an affected part of a patient by irradiating a treatment laser beam to the affected part is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser irradiation unit provided with a laser irradiation optical system for delivering the laser beam to the affected part; a contact member including a contact face which is brought into contact with at least one of the affected part and a periphery thereof; a cooler which cools down at least the contact face of the contact member; a sensor which detects at least one of a temperature of a periphery of the contact face made contact with the affected part, a temperature of a predetermined portion of at least one of the contact member and the cooler, a contact state of the contact face with respect to the affected part, and a relative substantially horizontal movement of the contact member with respect to the affected part; and an irradiation controller which controls laser irradiation based on a result of detection by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue treatment is provided, comprising a light emitter for emission of a first light beam, director for directing the first light beam towards a target area to be treated, detector for detecting at least one tissue parameter at the target area, and first light beam controller for controlling at least one parameter without interruption of the propagating light beam. The tissue parameter may be selected from the group of texture, elasticity, size and shape. The apparatus may be used for ablating a thin epidermal layer of the derma of a patient and also marks on the tissue such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels just below the surface, etc. as well as warts, wounds, hair follicles, etc. may be ablated or treated.