Abstract: Improved sizers and markers include a cylindrical section and a handle extending from the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis. The cylindrical section can include a marking element configured to mark tissue at fixed positions relative to the cylindrical section. Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques.

Abstract: Surgical methods and apparatus for positioning diagnostic an therapeutic elements on the epicardium or other organ surface. The apparatus include a relatively short shaft and a tissue cooling apparatus.

Abstract: Infrared surgical photoablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, including cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and other diseases. The hand held instruments are especially useful in open chest or port access cardiac surgery for rapid and efficient creation of curvilinear lesions to serve as conduction blocks. Photoablative instruments are disclosed that emit radiation at a wavelength in a range from about 800 nm to about 1000 nm, and preferably emit at a wavelength in a range of about 915 nm to about 980 nm. Radiation at a wavelength of 915 nm or 980 nm is commonly preferred, in some applications, because of the optimal absorption of infrared radiation by cardiac tissue at these wavelengths.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a captured vessel is provided. The device including: a first tube having an internal lumen for passage of a viewing device therein, the first tube having a substantially transparent first window at a distal tip thereof; a second tube slidingly disposed over the first tube, the second tube having a substantially transparent second window at a distal tip thereof, the second tube further having a slot for capturing a portion of the vessel; an actuator for sliding the second tube relative to the first tube between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position an inner surface of the second window is aligned with an outer surface of the first window and captures the portion of the vessel therebetween; and at least one electrode affixed to one of the inner or outer surfaces and facing the other of the inner or outer surfaces for applying radio frequency energy to the captured portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A radiation delivery module (8) includes a body (48) supportable on a patient's skin and defines a skin surface plane generally aligned with the patient's skin surface (40). A radiation source (22) is mounted to the body and produces a beam (34) of tissue-damaging radiation directed transverse to and at the skin surface plane. The radiation beam creates a radiation spot (42) having a length (36) and a width (44) at the skin surface plane, the length being at least about 5 to 10 times the width. A number of scanned diode laser radiation sub-sources (64) each directing a radiation beam component (66) at the radiation spot may be used. The radiation source may include a rod lens as a focusing optical element. The radiation delivery module may also include a radiation source translator (18) so that the radiation spot moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the radiation spot.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device that includes a housing, a tubular member extending from the distal end of the housing, a first arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the first arm including a first electrode, a second arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the second arm including a second electrode and being disposed coaxially with the first arm, at least one solution infusion opening on each electrode, and a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the solution infusion openings. According to the invention, at least one of the first arm or the second arm is translationally moveable, and at least one of the first arm or the second arm is adapted to be coupled to a source of radiofrequency energy. The invention also provides a corresponding method for treating blood vessels or other tissues of the body.

Abstract: An electro-dynamic phased array acoustic lens having an array of cells, each of which may be separately controlled to alter characteristics of an incident acoustic wave. Because each cell of the acoustic lens controls the delay and amplitude of the acoustic wave passing through that cell, such an acoustic lens may be used in combination with a single-element transducer to control the characteristics of acoustic waves with a similar degree of control, or more, as that provided by a phased multi-element transducer array. The acoustic lens may also be used in combination with a multi-element transducer, such that all elements of the transducer may be fired at the same phase and amplitude. In other words, an ultrasonic wave that passes through a given cell of the acoustic lens is phase offset as determined by that cell. The acoustic lens may be used in an ultrasonic ablation system to control the ultrasonic waves used to ablate the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryoablation catheter, comprising an outer tubular body with a closed distal end to form a fluid cooling chamber and an inner tubular member having a proximal end adapted to receive fluid suitable for cryoablation and a distal end coupled to a fluid expansion nozzle wherein the inner tubular member is movable in an axial direction to thereby change the position of the nozzle within the fluid cooling chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating acute coronary syndromes (i.e., unstable angina or non-Q-wave MI) or transient ischemic attacks in a human or animal patient by placing a heat exchange apparatus in the patient's vasculature and using that heat exchange apparatus to cool the patient to a temperature (e.g. 30-36° C.) at which platelet inhibition (i.e., inhibition of platelet activation and/or aggregation and/or adhesion) occurs. Anti-shivering drugs or anesthesia may be administered to patients whose body temperature is cooled below that patient's shivering threshold (typically approximately 35.5 C.). If it is determined that platelet inhibition is no longer desirable, such as when the patient is about to undergo a surgical or interventional procedure wherein bleeding could be problematic, the hypothermia-induced platelet inhibition may be rapidly reversed by using the intravascular heat exchange apparatus to re-warm the patient's body to normothermia or near normothermia.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for enhancing immunosurveillance capacity, particularly, NK cell activity, without administration of medicines or immunological therapy, through noninvasive and simple method. The invention provides also a method and an apparatus for enhancing power of concentration of users in intellectual activities. The method according to the invention is carried out by applying to the forehead, with foreign lights being excluded, pulsed light in the frequency range of from 0.5 to 13 Hz, preferably in a frequency of a representative value in alpha wave band obtained by measuring brain waves of users or any frequencies near that representative value. NK cell activity is surely enhanced by the pulsed-light application with the eyes of users being shielded.

Abstract: A clamp for an external fixation device includes a basic body fitted with a first, continuous borehole for receiving a longitudinal support and a second, continuous borehole disposed perpendicular to the first borehole and partly intersecting it for receiving a tension bolt. The tension bolt includes a transverse borehole for receiving a bone fixation device, such as a bone pin, and further includes threading at one free end for engagement with a nut that forms a stop against the basic body. Tightening of the nut on the tension bolt permits the bone fixation device to be held against the basic body. An additional, threaded borehole is provided in the basic body, terminates in the second borehole, and receives a fixation screw. The diameter of the tension bolt can be less than the diameter of the second borehole and the fixation screw can be used to position the tension bolt so that it lies across a portion of the first borehole and bears tangentially against the longitudinal support.

Abstract: A multiplicity of high frequency electrodes in a cluster configuration may be inserted into tissue of a patient's body for producing heat ablation of abnormal tissue such as a tumor. The electrodes are connected coherently to the voltage output of a high frequency generator. An enlarged ablation volume is accomplished by the electrode cluster with reduced risk of hemorrhage because of the smaller diameter of the individual electrodes of the cluster. The electrodes terminate in conductive tips, which are cooled by a fluid coolant to further facilitate enlarged ablation volumes. Very large ablation volumes are accomplished by this process and apparatus. Various cluster electrode configurations may be adapted to meet specific clinical requirements.

Abstract: This invention describes a personal therapeutic device comprising a supporting means with a far infrared ray emitting body placed thereon that provides a means for enhancing the health conditions of human beings. The device can be carried externally on the section of human body to be exposed to far infrared radiation . The result is improved blood circulation and metabolism and reduced stress and fatigue.

Abstract: Laser systems medical or cosmetic applications, comprising diode lasers or diode lasers with other solid state lasers which can deliver up to 30 cw or more, and which generally operate at more than wavelength within the range of 1000 to 1300 nm are presented. Individual emitter or emitter groups within the diode laser system can be powered independently. These laser systems provide maximum penetration depths for procedures such as Laser-induced Interstitial Tumor Therapy, alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as PhotoDynamic Therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Where beneficial for the procedure, the operating wavelength of the system can be changed without interruption. In some variants, active tissue cooling at the distal end of the delivery fibers is incorporated as well as individual feedback loops to control and stabilize the temperature induced in the tissue.

Abstract: A molecular absorption resonance system determines the molecular resonant frequency of a subject and destroys the subject. First provided is a first antenna with an associated microwave generator for generating waves and directing such waves to the subject. A second antenna with an associated receiver is next provided for receiving waves from the input antenna and subject for determining the resonant frequency of the subject. Lastly, an output device is provided for transmitting waves at a frequency determined by the receiver and for directing such waves to the subject for destroying the subject.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to accurately treat sites on an eye's retina employing computer based image generation, processing and central control means in conjunction with diode laser sources and optical fibers. The system and method accurately determine geometry of a treatment zone of a specific eye's fundus and adjust a treatment beam to irradiate the treatment zone with minimal coverage of adjacent well tissue. The treatment zone or zone is accurately determined with digital processing of angiographic data and slit lamp image data. This information is integrated with information on the treatment beam characteristics to better match treatment beam coverage with minimal overlap with healthy areas of the fundus. Additionally preferred embodiments also have the ability to automatically track eye movement and switch the beam source depending on eye movement, adjusting the beam spot area in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presbyopia correction are disclosed. The disclosed preferred embodiments of the system consists of a beam spot controller, a beam delivery device, a slit lamp, a visible aiming beam and a selected solid state laser having a wavelength of (0.9-1.4) microns. Presbyopia is treated by the thermal contraction of the human zonnulas with a temperature increase of about (15-50) degree-C generated by the selected lasers. The near infrared laser is focused and delivered by a gonio lens to the target zonnulas area and viewed by a surgeon using a slip lamp. The selected laser having an optimal absorption characteristics is tightly focused such that only the target zonnulas is heated, while the cornea, the lens body and the adjacent areas are not damaged.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for treating atherosclerotic disease use controlled cryogenic cooling, often in combination with angioplasty and/or stenting. A combination cryogenic/angioplasty catheter may cool the diseased blood vessel before, during, and/or after dilation. Controlled cooling of the vessel wall reduces actual/observed hyperplasia as compared to conventional uncooled angioplasty. Similar reductions in restenosis may be provided for other primary treatments of the blood vessel, including directional arthrectomy, rotational arthrectomy, laser angioplasty, stenting, and the like. Cooling of vessel wall tissues will often be performed through plaque, and the cooling process will preferably take the thermodynamic effects of the plaque into account.

Abstract: The invention provides laser eye surgery devices, systems, and methods which measure the refractive error in the eye before, during, and/or after vision correction surgery. The invention allows adjustments during the vision correction operation, and allows qualitative and/or quantitative measurements of the progress of photorefractive treatments by projecting and imaging reference images though the cornea and other components of the ocular optical system. A slope of an image quality value such as an Optical Transfer Function may be monitored during the procedure to help determine when to terminate treatment.

Abstract: A photonic scanning and delivery system capable of controllable transmission of light energy to an irregularly shaped treatment area are disclosed. The desired uniformity (controllability) of light energy application is ensured by a tracking device, which monitors the position of the radiation applicator and thereby prevents over- or under-radiation. The system employs a light energy delivery hand-piece. By these means, structures in the lower dermis are irradiated. Because of the large size of the treatment area, damage to surface tissue is avoided. The hand-piece can operate while in contact with the treatment surface. Treatment surfaces include non-medical work sites. Alternatively, the hand-piece can operate in a non-contact mode. The system can also be used in non-medical applications such as UV curing.