Abstract: The present invention involves a medical delivery system capable of emitting radiation with wavelengths between 190 nm and 16 um in one or more essentially directed, predetermined patterns. It includes at least one solid optical fiber, having a core and a cladding on the core. The cladding has a refractive index smaller than the core, having an input end suitably configured to connect to an appropriate radiation source and having a distal end in the proximity of which two or more grooves are penetrating into the core. The gooves have at least partial reflector capability so as to deflect radiation thereto radially in one or more predetermined patterns. The invention also includes methods of performing medical procedures utilizing the aforesaid device.

Abstract: An effective method for welding corneal and/or scleral tissues. To join the tissues, laser light is applied using a wavelength which enables penetration of the light to a tissue depth of about 0.2-2.0 mm. The wavelength is selected from within one of the following ranges: (1) 1400-1900 nm, or (2) 2100-2400 nm. In epikeratophakia procedures, the wavelength ranges will be 1900-2100 nm or 2400-2650 nm, allowing a tissue penetration depth of about 0.05-0.2 mm. A laser power output value is selected so that the tissue temperature during welding remains at about 44.degree.-60.degree. C. This value is between about 30 mW-1.5 W. The laser light may be applied in the form of a spot-type beam, an elongate beam, or an annular beam. Application of laser light in the foregoing manner enables ocular tissues to be safely and effectively welded, and is useful in corneal transplantation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument consisting of a disposable working member and a reusable handle member. The surgical instrument reduces the risk of cross-contamination as the parts of the instrument which enter the body cavity are disposable. The reusable handle is designed for quick and easy loading and unloading of the disposable working member or stem assembly. The reusable handle may be used with stem assemblies of various types, sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A laser catheter for irradiation of human myocardial tissue containing a fixed feedback mechanism for monitoring the damage created by laser irradiation, and which is usable with standard catheters designed for angiography and angioplasty. Means for sensing distal temperature are provided in the form of a plurality of thermocouples, along with the ability to cool the fiber optic and distal tip with a flushing solution. Flushing of the area adjacent to the tip is provided for by a fluid which travels the length of the laser catheter. A dissolvable tip covering at the distal end facilitates passage of a very sharp point through a guiding catheter or vasculature.

Abstract: A medical coagulation-cutting instrument has an instrument shaft (11) with wo stationary coagulation electrodes (12, 13) and a movable cutting electrode (14). An actuating head (19) is arranged at the distal end of the instrument shaft (11). The radio frequency feedlines for the two coagulation electrodes (12, 13) are conductive tubes (15, 16) arranged concentric to one another and to the instrument shaft within which the high frequency feedline for the cutting electrode (14) is arranged in an insulated manner as an axially directed conductive bar (17) which is axially movable by the actuating head (19).

Abstract: An endocardial catheter for mapping and/or ablation for use in a chamber of a heart defined by a wall comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A basket assembly is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The basket assembly is movable between expanded and contracted positions. The basket assembly has electrodes carried thereby which are adapted to be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart. A push-pull element is provided having proximal and distal extremities extending longitudinally of the tubular member and extending beyond the distal extremity of the tubular member and movable axially of the tubular member. The basket assembly has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the basket assembly is secured to the distal extremity of the tubular member. The distal extremity of the basket assembly is secured to the distal extremity of the push-pull element.

Abstract: A midinfrared laser tissue ablater having an Er:YAG radiation source optically connected to a first end of a fiber optic cable, a probe with a handle and a bifurcated cannula having a first half and a second half and a generally closed, hollow tip having an opening opposite the handle, a fiber optic integrally and coaxially mounted in the probe, optically and mechanically connected to a second end of the fiber optic cable and terminating at a free end in an interior of the hollow tip, the free end having a coating with a hole so that a pulse of radiation emitted by the radiation source is directed through the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic to the free end where the pulse of radiation is reflected by the coating out the hole in the coating and into the opening in the tip, an irrigation source connected to the first half of the cannula and an aspiration source connected to the second half of the cannula.

Abstract: A method for using an ophthalmic laser system to remove cataractous tissue from the lens capsule of an eye requires phacofragmentation of the lens tissue and subsequent aspiration of the treated tissue. More specifically, a cutting laser is used to create various strata of incisions through the lens tissue. Within each stratum, each incision is made in the direction from a posterior to an anterior position. The strata are stacked on each other in the posterior-anterior direction, and each includes a plurality of minute incisions. The most posterior stratum of incisions is created first by referencing the cutting laser back into the lens tissue from the posterior capsule. Subsequent, more anterior strata, are created by referencing the cutting layer from the tissue treated by the previous stratum of incisions. In each stratum, the vapors which result from the incisions are allowed to infiltrate between the layers of the lens tissue to fragment and liquify the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter arrangement and associated method provides for the application of a cell treatment agent, such as genetic material or drugs to be inserted within the cells of a patient in vivo. The catheter arrangement uses an optical fiber having a prism at its tip. Laser energy from the optical fiber is directed by the prism through a window portion on a side of the catheter. The window portion has a plurality of holes so as to divide the laser energy into a plurality of microbeams. The microbeams porate cell walls of the patient's cells. A treatment agent channel in the catheter allows the treatment agent to be provided directly to the same holes through which the microbeams pass such that the treatment agent is very efficiently applied to the porations in the cell walls.

Abstract: A decoupled dual-beam control system for a compact micromanipulator unit for a surgical laser system includes a focusing mechanism for focusing a first laser beam of a first wavelength at a predetermined focal point; and a control mechanism for directing a second laser beam of a second wavelength onto the focusing mechanism; the control mechanism includes a device for varying the diameter and wavefront of the second laser beam at the focusing mechanism for enabling the focusing mechanism to focus the second beam in the same focal plane as the first beam. The control mechanism further includes a device for translating the second beam relative to the focusing mechanism for enabling the focusing mechanism to coincidentally position the foci of the surgical and aiming beams in the focal plane.