Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating various dermatalogical conditions using electromagnetic radiation. Particularly preferred are narrowband, multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitters having a dominant emissive wavelength corresponding to the peak absorption wavelength of the mammalian tissue targetted for treatment. Topical compositions are disclosed for pretreating the targetted tissue to alter the peak absorption wavelength of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preventing a change in the core body temperature of a mammal under cold conditions are provided. In the subject methods, a requirement for thermal energy input in said mammal is first detected. In response to the detection of this requirement for thermal energy input, a surface of a portion of the mammal is contacted with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to introduce thermal energy into the core body of the mammal. The subject devices include at least a means for detecting a requirement for thermal energy input and a means for contacting a surface of the mammal with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in maintaining the core body temperature of a mammal substantially constant under cold conditions for an extended period of time.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transverse connector for osteosynthesis for interconnecting one or several vertebrae, wherein the transverse connector comprises a rod-shaped section for mounting same, and a clamping section for connection of the fixation rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing endovascular therapy. The steps include arranging optical fibers within a catheter, the catheter having a tip whose length is at least 1 cm and whose diameter of less than 1 millimeter, connecting an excimer laser to the optical fibers; and delivering laser energy from the excimer laser in excess of a fluence of 60 -mJ/mm2 at 40 Hertz through the optical fibers. The delivering of the laser energy may be to non-calcified or calcified deposits of an atherosclerotic lesion to ablate the same. The method also includes the step of inserting the catheter through an artery by pushing the same until the tip is in within laser energy striking distance of the atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: Scanning spot locations are generated for ablating tissue using a scanning laser beam over a treatment region by fitting a target function representing a desired lens profile of ablation with a basis function representing a treatment profile produced by overlapping scanning spots in a particular treatment pattern. Symmetry effects are utilized to simply the process for determining the scanning spot locations. In some embodiments, the basis function is a two-dimensional function representing a two-dimensional section of a tree-dimensional treatment profile which has symmetry with respect to the two-dimensional section extending along the treatment pattern. The target function and the basis function are fitted to produce ablation depths for discrete scanning spots which are used to calculate the number of pulses at each reference position along the two-dimensional section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner, thereby improving or restoring tissue function. The apparatus comprises a catheter in communication with an end effector. The end effector induces a temperature rise in an annulus of tissue surrounding the leaflets of a valve sufficient to cause shrinkage of the tissue, thereby reducing a diameter of the annulus and causing the valves to close more tightly. Alternatively, the end effector selectively induces a temperature rise in the chordae tendineae sufficient to cause a controlled degree of shortening of the chordae tendineae, thereby enabling the valve leaflets to be properly aligned. In another alternative, the end effector is configured to mechanically shorten the effective length of the chordae tendineae by forcing the tendineae through a tortuous path, again properly aligning the valve leaflets.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus preferably used during the photocagulation of the fundus of human eyes or animals measures density fluctuations caused by pulsed irradiation, such as a laser irradiation source, on a material. A wherein a measuring signal is acoustically or optically detected. The change of the intensity and/or of the time slope of the measuring signal resulting from the irradiation of a specific material point is detected. A linear thermo-elastic signal fraction is removed from the measuring signal.

Abstract: A corneal surgery apparatus, for ablating a cornea with a laser beam to correct a refractive error more precisely, includes an ablation amount computing device for obtaining an ablation amount of the cornea for each of plural ablation steps based on a refractive error, a determining device for determining laser irradiation control data for each of the ablation steps based on the ablation amount, a corneal shape measurement device including a projecting optical system for projecting a target on the cornea, a photographing optical system for photographing an image of corneal reflection of the target, and a shape computing device for obtaining a corneal shape by processing the photographed target image, and a correcting device for comparing a predetermined ablation amount with an actual ablation amount based on the corneal shape measured after laser irradiation and for correcting the control data for the next step based on the comparison result.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of treating a patient's left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The process takes place through the pericardial space from an access point outside the pericardium or pericardial space.

Abstract: An introducer having an elongate tubular member and a device connector releasably attached to a proximal end of the tubular member. The introducer allows exchange of medical instruments, such as a blood filter and cardioplegia catheter, through a single lumen. An obturator having a retractable blade for making incision on a tissue is insertable through the lumen of the introducer. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing medical device(s) into body cavity, such as a vessel or cardiac tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery system includes a plurality of sites, a fluid channel for delivering a drug to one of the plurality sites, and a light channel for delivering light to an area near one of the plurality of sites. The fluid channel is a micro fluidic channel and the light channel is a wave guide. The light channel may also be a fiber optic cable. The light channel directs light at the fluid channel wherein light from the light channel does not substantially exit to the major surface. The drug delivery system selectively delivers drugs to various types of neurologic cells. In operation a solution of a photoactivatable neuro-active drug is delivered to a preselected area in vivo and photoactivated in the solution at the preselected area to stimulate neurological tissue. The neuro-active drug could be an antagonist or agonist of neuronal activity.

Abstract: Information indicative of the flow rate of fluid through a biological organ is provided to a processor. Using this information the processor assesses whether the fluid-flow rate is high or low and controls a generator such that the generator provides energy to an electrode positioned within the organ to effect tissue ablation. Energy of a first level is provided during periods of high fluid-flow and energy of a second level, less than the first level, during periods of low fluid-flow. The flow rate information may be provided by an electrocardiograph (ECG) device or a flow sensor. A temperature sensor provides temperature signals to the processor indicative of the electrode temperature. The processor further controls the generator based on the electrode temperature to maintain the temperature at or near a target temperature and below a maximum threshold temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical set of instruments used to treat surfaces of cartilage, bone or body tissue, which set comprises a surgical instrument 1 and a guide device 2 to guide said instrument and/or a tissue applicator 3 for inserting tissue on a defect to be covered. In the meaning of the present invention, the surgical instrument, which can be moved in a circular, elliptical or another way with the aid of the guide device 2 according to the invention, is understood to be a shaver, a scalpel, a drill, a curette, a syringe, or a probe. Depending on the surgical problem, however, other instruments for cutting, milling, punching, sewing, or setting bores in cartilage, bone or body tissue, or injecting operating aids such as glues may also be moved in a specific surface profile using the guide device of the invention.

Abstract: A system for fixation of a soft tissue tear includes a flexible, generally helical fixation element biased to a predetermined pitch. A hollow, generally helical insertion element is dimensioned to admit at least a distal portion of the fixation element into a lumen thereof. The insertion element's pitch along a central portion is larger than that of the fixation element. The insertion element is insertable in a screwing motion across the soft tissue tear and is positionable with the central portion bridging the tear. The fixation element is insertable into the insertion element, and the insertion element is removable in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the fixation element positioned across the tear. The positioning of the central portion permits the fixation element to contract following removal of the insertion element to bring the two bridged sides of the tear together, permitting them to heal.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming a vascular graft by axially distending a blood vessel to induce growth. The device preferably comprises a stretching mechanism which includes (i) a rigid body; (ii) a pair of posts comprising a first post and a second post which are connected to the body; (iii) a driver element slidably secured to the body and disposed between the pair of posts; and (iv) a device for sliding the driver element away from the pair of posts to axially distend a blood vessel positioned between the pair of posts and the driver element. Preferably, the device is implanted, for example using endoscopic techniques, for use in vivo, although the device also can be used in vitro.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for the photomodulation of living tissue. When photomodulated, living tissue will exhibit bioactivation or bioinhibition according to the present invention and, when using the disclosed sources of narrowband multichromatic radiation can cause significant dermatologic advantages such as hair removal, hair growth stimulation, wrinkle reduction, acne reduction and scar removal, vitiligo, etc. This invention may be applied to non-dermatological medical treatments including tumor growth inhibition, cell regeneration, the stimulation of tissue in organs, etc.

Abstract: Catheters for photoablating plaque build-up in blood vessels are described. In one form, the catheter includes a catheter body having a first group of optic fibers and a second group of optic fibers. The first group of optic fibers is adjacent the second group of optic fibers, and each group of optic fibers includes at least one optic fiber having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the respective optic fibers form a substantially rounded hemispherical catheter head. A control element is coupled to the catheter body and is configured to selectively transmit energy through either the first group of optic fibers, or the second group of optic fibers, or both the first and second groups of optic fibers.

Abstract: A method and device for thermally affecting tissue. The device having a thermal member and a contact probe in thermal communication with the thermal member. The device configured to provide a way to contact tissue with the contact probe and to thereby impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A tanning bed has an array of closely spaced ultraviolet-emitting, fluorescent lamps in which each lamp is longitudinally offset from an adjacent lamp to allow space for grasping of one end to rotate the lamp for removal of the lamp from its sockets.

Abstract: A bone plate for osteosynthesis having a plate-shaped base and a top, with the base defining only a single receiving opening for retaining a bone screw that attaches it, for example, to a vertebra.