Abstract: A structure includes a film having a pair of opposed surfaces wherein the film is liquid impermeable and electrically charged and an arrangement carried by the film and having first and second compartments separated from one another by a rupturable wall. First and second compositions are disposed in the first and second compartments whereby the rupturable wall may be ruptured to permit mixing of the first and second compositions.

Abstract: A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.

Abstract: A laser treatment device and process with controlled cooling. The device contains a cooling element with high heat conduction properties, which is transparent to the laser beam. A surface of the cooling element is held in contact with the tissue being treated while at least one other surface of the cooling element is cooled by the evaporation of a cryogenic fluid. The cooling is coordinated with the application of the laser beam so as to control the temperatures of all affected layers of tissues. In a preferred embodiment useful for removal of wrinkles and spider veins, the cooling element is a sapphire plate. A cryogenic spray cools the top surface of the plate and the bottom surface of the plate is in contact with the skin. In preferred embodiments the wavelength of the laser beam is chosen so that absorption in targeted tissue is low enough so that substantial absorption occurs throughout the targeted tissue. In a preferred embodiment for treating large spider veins with diameters in the range of 1.

Abstract: A system for treating atrial fibrillation includes a stent and a delivery catheter for carrying the stent to a treatment site. The stent is self-expanding, for example, being formed of a shape memory alloy, and is configured to lodge against the interior wall of a pulmonary vein. The stent may be formed as a loop, helix, progressively wound helix or other suitable shape, and in one embodiment has an exposed proximal portion including an ablation region that contacts and subtends a circumference of the vein, or contacts endocardial wall tissue along a circumferential path at the ostium. The proximal portion is attached to an energy delivery line in the catheter to energize the stent and ablate tissue in the circumferential region, forming a lesion to block conduction across the ostium or preventing trigger signals originating in the pulmonary vein from initiating or sustaining fibrillation in the atrium.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser hair removal system is disclosed using light pulses of greater than 1 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. The use of an alexandrite laser allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable combination of hemoglobin and melanin absorption. The use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated is also described. This substance will be absorbed into the epidermal layer to provide better coupling of the laser light into the skin. Also, and most advantageously, it will reduce reflections at the epidermal-dermal junction, which can lead to the damage of the skin. Also a topical thermal or photochromic indicator is suggested since skin irradiation in the near-infrared generally does not produce any characteristic skin color change as is found when using pulsed dye lasers, for example.

Abstract: A method for producing preferential damage to hair exiting mammalian skin. A agent having an average diameter for enabling the agent to penetrate the hair duct is selected. The agent is designed to attach to, or become physically incorporated into, the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent has an electromagnetic radiation absorption characteristic which enables the agent to absorb a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation from a skin-penetrating electromagnetic radiation source, such as a laser. The agent is applied to the skin so that the agent penetrates the skin and attaches to or becomes physically incorporated into the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent is exposed to the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and absorbs the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A proximal housing for a full-thickness resection device (FTRD) is provided with a plurality of chambers through which fasteners are introduced into a portion of tissue to be resected. The proximal housing has a noncircular cut-out opposite the plurality of chambers to receive a noncircular endoscope. The proximal housing also is provided with a resection cavity into which the tissue to be resected is to be received. In addition, shaft openings are provided through which mounting shafts may be inserted. A noncircular endoscope is also disclosed for insertion into the cut-out whereby the endoscope has passages to house the functions of remote viewing, illumination, insufflation and irrigation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for destroying a predetermined defined volume (10) in a tissue, such as generating controlled coagulation, so-called lesion, in the brain. More particularly, the apparatus comprises a main unit (1) for transmitting a tissue-destroying medium comprising a control unit (3) for controlling the medium transmission, and a transferring means (4), such as an electrode, which is connected to said main unit and adapted to be inserted into the predetermined volume for transferring the transmitted medium to the volume. The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that it further comprises a measuring means (5-8) for measuring at least one optical characteristic of the predetermined volume, the optical characteristic varying with the size of the destroyed volume, the measuring means being connected to said control unit for controlling the supply of the tissue-destroying medium on the basis of the measured optical characteristic.

Abstract: An exchangeable tool assembly is provided for an endoscopic treatment device, comprising a flexible shaft connected at its distal end to a tool unit and at its proximal end to a coupling element for coupling the tool assembly to a motor of the treatment device. The flexible shaft transmits a rotary movement of the motor to the tool unit. The flexible shaft is connected to said tool unit such that said flexible shaft and said tool unit form a jointly exchangeable unit. Further, a locking mechanism for releasably holding said tool assembly at said treatment device comprises a locking element arranged at said tool unit and a locking member arranged at said treatment device which is engageable in said locking member to releasably hold said unit formed by said tool unit and said flexible shaft at the treatment device, which can be withdrawn as a whole after this engagement of said locking member from said locking element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for phototherapy are described in which laser light or other radiation is projected from within a catheter, through a balloon member, and toward the surface of tissue. The light reflected from body fluids or the tissue surface is captured by a collecting device located within the catheter, e.g., within the balloon member, and the intensity of the reflected light is ascertained. The apparatus and method provides for accurately positioning the apparatus against the tissue treatment site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally and/or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner. The apparatus comprises a catheter in communication with an end effector which induces a temperature rise in an annulus of tissue surrounding the leaflets of a valve or in the chordae tendineae sufficient to cause shrinkage, thereby causing the valves to close more tightly. Mechanical clips can also be implanted over the valve either alone or after the thermal treatment. The clips are delivered by a catheter and may be configured to traverse directly over the valve itself or to lie partially over the periphery of the valve to prevent obstruction of the valve channel. The clips can be coated with drugs or a radiopaque coating. The catheter can also incorporate sensors or energy delivery devices, e.g., transducers, on its distal end.

Abstract: A mapping catheter comprises a catheter body and a mapping assembly. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The mapping assembly comprises a generally straight proximal region attached to the catheter body, a generally circular main region distal the proximal region having an outer circumference, and a generally straight distal region distal the main region. The mapping assembly also comprises a support member having shape-memory, a non-conductive covering over the support member, and a plurality of electrodes on the non-conductive covering along the generally circular main region.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope which has excellent insertion operability is disclosed. The flexible tube includes and an elongated flexible tubular body constructed from a core body having a hollow space and an outer cover which is provided over the outer periphery of the core body and formed into a laminated structure having a plurality of layers. The tubular body is formed with a plurality of easily bendable portions which are provided in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. The average interval between the adjacent easily bendable portions is preferably in the range 50-400 mm. The easily bendable portions is formed by locally changing the flexural rigidity of the outer cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical devices used in the procedures of orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation. Oral or nasal endotracheal intubation procedures are commonly employed to secure a controlled airway and to deliver inhalant oxygen, anesthetic gases, and other therapeutic agents into the trachea and lungs of human and veterinary patients. Such intubation procedures carry a significant risk of dental injury resulting from contact between the laryngoscope blade used for visualization during intubation. The present invention provides an apparatus to reduce dental injury including a modified laryngoscope blade and a disposable insert which is designed to be received and retained in a single step by the modified laryngoscope blade. The disposable insert may be quickly secured by the user, and reduces both direct pressure and shear forces on the maxillary incisor teeth when the laryngoscope blade is placed in a patient's mouth during intubation.

Abstract: A hand access device for use as a seal for sealing a surgeon's forearm on entry through a wound opening, for example, in an abdominal wall contains a substantially tubular sleeve of pliable gas tight material. The tube is turned axially back on itself to define an outer sleeve section and an inner sleeve section which define therebetween a sealed inflatable chamber. The inner sleeve section is engaged by the forearm which, on insertion, causes the sleeve to evert. The device has eversion limiting means in the form of inner and outer rings which are of elastomeric material.

Abstract: An electrode assembly adapted to be attached to the skin over selected facial muscle groups picks up signals to be analyzed by an anesthesia adequacy monitor that measures the level of awareness of a living animal, typically a human being. The electrode assembly also includes a stimulator that stimulates a facial nerve to determine the level of paralysis, or neuro muscular block, of the facial muscles. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly by printing a pattern of electrically conductive material through a silk-screen or an ink type process onto a flexible layer, and then coating the result with a non-conducting adhesive except at points corresponding to sensing points for the desired muscle groups. Finally, a method for using such sensing and stimulating devices is shown in determining and maintaining an appropriate level of patient awareness, muscle paralysis, and analgesia under anesthesia.

Abstract: A cooled, therapeutic gelatinous disc is provided which includes a convex face configured to overlie a typical human eye and a surrounding margin of tissue. The convex face of the disc includes a non-planar surface, which presents a non-uniform, three-dimensional surface for contacting the eye. Water, gelatin powder, therapeutic plant extracts and oils, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea and a coloring agent are mixed, poured into a mold and then cooled to form a cooled gelatinous disc having a convex face with the raised swirl design. A plastic film is attached to the mold to hermetically seal the gelatinous disc, which sealed assembly is stored in a light-impermeable and resealable bag. The gelatinous disc may be removed from the mold and placed onto the eye and surrounding tissue, preferably in connection with a moisturizer, in order to relieve irritation.

Abstract: A method for phase shifting the circadian pacemaker or treating seasonal affective disorder in a subject is disclosed. The method includes exposing the subject's eye region to a given-intensity light flash having a flash duration of between about 1-500 msec, at a periodicity of at least about one flash per minute, over a selected time period effective, were the subject exposed to a continuous light pulse of the same intensity for this period, to phase shift the circadian pacemaker or treat the seasonal affective disorder in the subject. Also disclosed is a device for practicing the method.

Abstract: A medical instrument for phacoemulsification with which the biological tissue of a lens of the eye is comminuted by the introduction of energy, the comminuted product is sucked out through an incision in the cornea, while intraocular pressure is maintained by supplying an irrigating liquid. In an instrument of the type mentioned above, two cannulas are provided for sucking out the ablated lens material and for supplying the irrigating liquid and are connected, via feed lines, with the suction device and with the supply device. A switchable directional valve is provided in the feed lines between the cannulas and the suction device and supply device, by means of which, in a first valve position, a first cannula is connected with the suction device and the second cannula is connected with the supply device and, in a second valve position, the second cannula is connected with the suction device and the first cannula is connected with the supply device.

Abstract: In a tube connecting structure of an endoscope, a fluid supply tube is connected to a gas supply tube and a liquid supply tube via a tube joint. The tube joint is arranged at the inside of an insertion part of the endoscope, and is constructed of a main tube and a branch tube. The branch tube is provided next to the main tube, while an end of the branch tube protrudes to be longer than an end of the main tube.