Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneous laser revascularization of a patient's beating heart includes a laser system that produces a pulsed laser beam with a wavelength in a range of approximately 1.7 .mu.m to approximately 2.15 .mu.m, each pulse of the laser beam having a pulse duration in a range of approximately 1 ms and greater and having a pulse energy in a range of approximately 5 J to approximately 25 J. The pulse can include a train of micropulses. A fiber optic element that is coupled to the laser system is arranged with a catheter to pass through a vasculature of the patient and to deliver pulses of the laser beam to an interior wall of the patient's heart. The laser system can include a flash lamp-pumped laser in which a large capacitor bank discharges only a fraction of its stored energy through a flash lamp to fire the laser, wherein the capacitor discharge is turned off by a switchable device, such as a high current transistor, after the integrated energy of a laser pulse reaches a selected value.

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.

Abstract: A low-profile, diffusive tip apparatus adapted for insertion into a body to deliver phototherapeutic radiation by scattering light in a substantially omnidirectional pattern includes a light-transmissive housing that is adapted for mounting, at its proximal end, onto a fiber optic cable, and, at its distal end, the housing defines or is joined to a light-transmissive cap having a diameter which is not substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber. The light transmissive cap region encloses a chamber or reservoir filled with an optically scattering medium and, preferably, hemispherical in shape with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber cables and laser probes are disclosed for providing multi-spot laser beams from a single laser beam source. This permits time-intensive but repetitive laser surgical procedures such as panretinal photocoagulation to be performed with increased accuracy and in a fraction of the time currently allotted for such procedures.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus which performs a medical or surgical treatment using laser-beam irradiation, The apparatus has a solid-state laser medium for obtaining a laser beam and an excitation light source for exciting the solid-state laser medium. The apparatus further has a first optical system having a Q-switch which emits light oscillated by the solid-state laser medium as a pulse wave laser beam, and a second optical system which emits the light oscillated by the solid-state laser medium as a continuous wave laser beam. An optical path for the light oscillated by the solid-state laser medium is switched to one of optical paths of the first and second optical systems. With this apparatus, plural oscillation modes and wavelengths can be switched over in accordance with the treatment object, and the load on the user is reduced.

Abstract: A medical laser adapted to be controlled remotely from the main operating console, and more particularly, a handpiece held by the surgeon which includes one or more remote controls for actuating and controlling the operation of a medical laser.

Abstract: A system composed of a device 4 for the coherent amplification of electromagnetic oscillations by means of induced emission through a solid element, crystals or glasses doped with neodymium, semiconductor diodes or liquids or gases, whereby the electromagnetic oscillations emerging from the device are conducted through a cable or optical fiber cable 2 in order to influence a biological system, especially a human body or an animal body 11. The cable 2 has an outlet opening 7 and the oscillations emerging from the cable 2 are conducted through a solid element, a mixture or a liquid or gaseous solution 8 in order to influence the biological system 11, whereby the solid element, the mixture or the liquid or gaseous solutions contain mineral, plant, animal or human extracts or products or else toxins as admixtures.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and system for corneal sculpting to create a multifocal refractive surface on the cornea of the eye. The refractive surface may comprise a central area and successive rings exposed outwardly toward the periphery and are of varying dioptric powers which may begin with the highest dioptric power in the center and decreasing powers of varying diopters progressing toward the periphery or vice-versa or alternating patterns of dioptric power, i.e., near/far, far/near or any combination. Furthermore, the multiple zones may be asymmetric, dicentric, ovoid, or the like. Suitable masks, barriers and iris diaphragms are described for facilitating sculpting of the different surfaces to achieve the desired multifocal refractive surfaces.

Abstract: A method for laser ablation of a tissue including directing at least one first pulsed laser beam of ultraviolet light and at least one second pulsed laser beam of infrared light to an area on the tissue to thereby ablate said tissue. The ultraviolet light has a wavelength of between 180 to 225 nm while the infrared light has a wavelength of between 1.4 to 11.0 .mu.m, and more specifically around 3.0 .mu.m. The tissue to be ablated may be the corneal tissue of the eye.

Abstract: A drive shaft (16) for a surgical instrument (10) has a rigid drive shaft section (30) having an end portion (32). A flexible drive shaft section (40) comprises a bendable spring having an outer surface (44) and an end portion (42). The instrument (10) also comprises a sleeve (50) having an inner surface (52) and extending from the end portion (32) of the rigid drive shaft section (30) over the end portion (42) of the flexible drive shaft section (40). The instrument (10) further comprises an adhesive material (60) joining the inner surface (52) of the sleeve (50) to the outer surface (44) of the bendable spring (40).

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/cm.sup.2. 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: An optical working shaft system. The system includes a working shaft for insertion into a working tube of at least one of an endoscope and a catheter. The working shaft has a distal end defining a distal area in a vicinity thereof, and further includes: a device for radiating optical beams through the distal end; and a fluid for scattering the beams at least in the distal area. The fluid is operatively associated with the device for radiating such that, at least in the distal area, a path of the beams extends inside the fluid, the fluid further being effective as a coolant for removing waste heat generated by a scattering of the beams in the distal area.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a medical instrument to a cannula of a trocar assembly includes a first retainer portion. The apparatus also includes a second retainer portion. The apparatus also includes a ball-shaped instrument holder. The ball-shaped instrument holder has a passageway extending therethrough. The instrument is securable within the passageway. A method for securing a medical instrument to a cannula of a trocar assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diode laser irradiation system for treating biological tissue of a subject without exposing the tissue to damaging thermal effects. The system includes a manipulable wand for contact with the tissue, a diode laser disposed in the wand for irradiating the tissue with coherent optical energy at a power output level of less than one thousand milliwatts, and laser setting controls for operating the diode laser to achieve a rate of absorption and conversion to heat in the irradiated tissue in a range between a minimum rate sufficient to elevate the average temperature of the irradiated tissue to a level above the basal body temperature of the subject, and a maximum rate which is less than the rate at which the irradiated tissue is converted into a collagenous.

Abstract: An ophthalmic operating apparatus comprising an observation optical system for observing an anterior part of patient's eye, a laser beam irradiating optical system for irradiating a laser beam for treatment on the patient's eye, a moving device for moving the laser beam irradiating optical system relatively with respect to the patient's eye, an illumination optical system for projecting an illumination light from a pupil of the patient's eye so that the anterior part being illuminated by a reflected light at a fundus of the patient's eye from a rear side, and a photographic element for photographing a retro-illumination image of the anterior part illuminated by the illumination optical system.

Abstract: A structure generates electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength selected for activating a photosensitive substance that is applied to a tissue to be treated. The structure is particularly useful for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. The structure includes a body of material, such as a polymer filament, band, or substrate, that contains a gain medium. The gain medium in turn contains a substance (such as dye molecules) for generating a stimulated emission that includes the at least one wavelength when excited by a pump wavelength, and a plurality of scattering sites (such as scattering particles) for scattering the stimulated emission to provide a narrow band emission at the at least one selected wavelength. The narrow band emission in turn activates the photo-sensitive therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A laser treatment method and apparatus is provided which facilitates the grafting of hairs on the skin of a living human. The methodology involves a carefully designed treatment protocol utilizing a modified optical apparatus. The apparatus is a modified erbium-based laser system, designed for optimal therapeutic selectivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, which provides improved conditioning and adherence of a resected corneal flap into its original position on the eye following the laser ablation step of LASIK vision correction surgery is disclosed. The method comprises resecting at least a portion of at least one of a person's eyes to expose an inner layer of said cornea, which is sculpted using radiation from a laser beam to produce a desired corneal topography. After the desired topography is achieved, the corneal flap is floated back into its proper position in a sterile solution and to remove any debris associated with the sculpting step from the patient's eye. After the corneal flap is repositioned, a flap drying apparatus is used to dry the repositioned corneal flap by applying filtered, compressed air at a flow rate substantially between zero and 2.

Abstract: A probe for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece terminating distally in a needle, a connector for connection to a light source such as a laser source or an illumination source, and an optical fiber for transmitting light from the light source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends substantially through the handpiece needle. The needle has a soft tip to reduce the possibility of injury to the interior of the eye by contact with the metal portion of the needle. The soft tip also acts as a distance guide, allowing the user to position the optical fiber repeatedly at the same distance from the retina.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for creating holes of a predetermined diameter and depth in body tissue comprises a tubular catheter having a compression spring affixed at its distal end and attached to the distal end of that spring is a tissue ablating device which may, for example, comprise an electrosurgical monopolar or bipolar electrode that is connected by conductors extending through the lumen of the catheter to an electrosurgical generator at its proximal end. When the instrument is brought in contact with target tissue with a force sufficient to compress the coils of the spring against one another and then ablating energy applied, tissue will be removed as the spring is allowed to expand out to its uncompressed length. The depth of the hole thus created is equal to the difference between the lengths of the spring when compressed and uncompressed. If desired, a suitable drug can be delivered into the thus created hole via a lumen in the catheter.