Abstract: A novel microfocusing laser surgical probe for use in intraocular surgery combines a high power laser with a gradient index (GRIN) lens to provide sufficient energy density at a focal point inside the eye to achieve laser induced breakdown and destroy fibrovascular membranes resulting from diabetes and other diseases. The gradient index lens steeply focuses the light close to its end so that the energy density of the light widely diverges beyond the focal point to reduce the potential for damage to the underlying retina. The gradient index lens also focuses the light far enough from the end of the lens to prevent damage to the lens itself. In a first embodiment, an open transmission line couples a YAG laser to a gradient index lens so that the light is still collimated when it strikes the lens. This first probe may be articulated by the use of mirrors or other optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is used for irradiating the entire of nevus on the skin with laser light uniformly and efficiently to remove it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously effecting the removal of multiple hairs from a skin region by using light energy to destroy hair follicles in the region. Light energy is applied to the region through an applicator which converges the light energy to enhance destruction of desired portions of the follicles, is preferably pressed against the skin region to deform the upper layers of the skin reducing the distance from the skin surface to portions of hair follicles which are to be destroyed, including the bulge and papilla of the follicles, and which applicator is preferably cooled to minimize or eliminate thermal damage to the epidermis in the region being irradiated. Parameters for the irradiation, including pulse duration, are selected to effect complete damage of desired portions of the hair follicles in the region with minimal damage to surrounding tissue and to the patient's epidermis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser-assisted hair transplantation preferably utilizes a CW mode CO.sub.2 laser, which may already have been installed in a surgeon's office, and a flashscanner to scan the laser over the area of holes to be drilled, thereby minimizing thermal necrosis on the recipient walls or slits. Optionally, a computer controls the laser/flashscanner assembly to redirect the beam from hole to hole, so as to rapidly drill a plurality of uniformly spaced holes. Advantageously, the time duration of the laser procedure is not limited, but depends instead on the CW laser power level parameters and the focal length selected for the procedure, thereby affording the surgeon significant flexibility in choosing appropriate treatment parameters.

Abstract: A light delivery catheter having an elongate, flexible inner tube coaxially disposed within a lumen within a flexible outer tube, and axially movable with respect to the outer tube. An optical waveguide disposed within the inner tube conducts light from an external light source to a light diffuser element in optical communication with the distal end of the optical waveguide. A portion of the light conducted to the diffuser element is scattered radially into the surrounding volume. The outer diameter of the inner tube is less than the diameter of the outer tube lumen, the annular space therebetween forming a cylindrical lumen coextensive with the inner tube. One or more fiber optics disposed within the cylindrical lumen are attached to the outer surface of the inner tube and terminate distally in an isotropic tip.

Abstract: There is provided an excimer laser catheter which also has at the distal end thereof a tip-deflecting wire, such as a relatively small-size balloon catheter, one which is located alongside and to one side of the laser catheter and is adapted to be used by being activated to cause the laser to be located eccentrically with respect to the lumen of the blood vessel which it has entered and to be directed at adjacently located plaque which the laser would otherwise miss. With equipment of this kind, it is possible to perform in many instances a satisfactory angioplasty essentially with the laser alone, without incurring the delays and the risks and other drawbacks involved in using the conventional adjunctive balloon-catheter angioplasty following laser angioplasty. An ultrasonic transducer and a catheter tip is used to determine the location and morphology of atherosclerotic blockage.

Abstract: A cautery instrument having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated over at least a portion of the predetermined region by a coating consisting essentially of diamond of a thickness permitting transmission of radio-frequency electrical energy from the first predetermined region through the diamond coating to flesh or tissue by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a template or mask for use in aid of a photorefractory keratectomy procedure for recurvature of a cornea. The template or mask is of flexible sheet material that is so fenestrated or otherwise configured as to be self-adherent to the cornea in the region outside of and surrounding the central optically used area of tissue-ablating recurvature, the template being configured to provide ready centering on the visual axis. The self-adherence is relative, intended only to serve for correct centering, and for moisture-retention, regardless of the corneal curvature to which it is applied.

Abstract: In vivo irradiation of blood is performed via catheters which can also or alternately be used to introduce fluids into blood vessels. The catheters include narrow tubular portions which are at least partially inserted into blood vessels. The narrow tubular portions utilize optical material to carry light radiation into blood vessels for irradiation of blood therein. In some embodiments, the tubular portions of the catheters are made of optical material to directly carry light radiation. The tubular portions are then made to diffuse the light along at least a portion of their lengths or to carry light to diffusing and preferably radio-opaque tips from which the majority of the light is diffused.

Abstract: The laser surgical applicator according to the invention is used for contact vaporization of tissue and has a light guide with a quartz glass core at whose distal end a contact tip made of an optically transparent solid material is located. The contact tip has a quartz glass sheath in which at least the quartz glass core of the light guide runs coaxially at a distance from the inside wall and the distal end of the quartz glass core is molten with the distal end of the quartz glass sheath to form an optically transparent tip.

Abstract: A cone biopsy instrument having a cuff of electrical insulating material, a core positioned within the cuff and having an electrical conductor, a wire carrier of electrical insulating material and having a plurality of radially projecting arms, an electrically conducting wire connected between a wire carrier arm and the core, an implant sleeve freely rotating on the swaged portion of the core between the wire carrier and tip, and a cervical guide tip of electrical insulating material carried on the core.

Abstract: A dermatological laser apparatus and method in which at least three lasers generating at least three wavelengths of coherent radiation of known efficacy in the treatment of medical or dermatological conditions are provided in an integrated system. In the preferred embodiment, at least three lasers are combined in a console. The console houses some of the lasers along with cooling means, common power supplies, and control means to select among the available lasers. At least one of the lasers is generated in a handpiece. In an alternative embodiment, the handpiece is provided with means to accept interchangeable laser components.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus and system for surgically bonding tissue together provides a beam of coherent light at a wavelength corresponding to a specific tissue thickness at which full absorption of the laser energy occurs, and adjusts the energy of the laser beam in response to tissue temperature throughout the tissue thickness to prevent the tissue temperature from either exceeding a predetermined limit or varying outside a predetermined range. Preferably, the coherent light beam has a center wavelength of 1.9 .mu.m, and is variable between 1.85 and 1.91 .mu.m.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a laser surgical tool comprises an elongate substantially hollow sheath having a pair of spaced apart axially extending guide members on a distal end and an attaching mechanism on the second end for ready attachment to a laser knife. The attaching mechanism is a grooved surface permitting rotation of the elongate sheath about its longitudinal axis which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the laser knife. A second attaching mechanism comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially inwardly extending protuberances which matingly engage corresponding dimples on the laser knife preventing rotation of the sheath about the longitudinal axis. For use with laser knives having a bent elongate center portion, the sheath includes a separately rotatable guide sheath tip for rotation of that portion of the sheath between the bend in the elongate center portion of the laser knife and the distal end thereof, including the laser lens.

Abstract: A surgical laser instrument including a transparent, splay, plate-like waveguide including one or more discontinuities therewithin for flattening and expanding a laser beam received through the waveguide and for emitting therefrom a relatively flat laser beam that can be utilized to sweep a selected tissue or region to be treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided in which a cylindrical body is shaped and sized to sealingly and closely fit into a conventional cannula. An elongate surgical instrument is inserted into the cylindrical body through a resilient seal so as to extend past and be in pressing contact with distal ends of a plurality of bristles supported to the cylindrical body inside a distal end thereof. The sealing element and the bristles cooperate to support the surgical instrument substantially axially of the cylindrical body and the cannula within which it is contained. Relative motion of the surgical instrument causes a rubbing action of the bristles contacting its outer surface and this serves to remove any incidental surgical debris, e.g., excised tissue, coagulated fluids, and the like, from the bristle-contacted outer surface of the surgical instrument both when it is moved during use and when it is removed from the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A fiber optic integrated phacoemulsification system is disclosed comprising surgical handpieces for cataract surgery which incorporate fiber optic bundles that transmit visible light to enhance visualization by intraocular illumination. Patient safety is improved by the oblique lighting to the retina, thereby reducing the necessity of direct coaxial light from the surgical microscope. The fiber optic bundles enable the application of laser energy or visible light and permit endoscope visualization of intraocular structures either through the surgical handpiece or through an end piece attachment.

Abstract: A catheter uses a steerable outer catheter with an inner catheter rotatable and extendable with respect to the outer catheter. The outer catheter may be positioned within a patient's heart and a portion of the outer catheter may provide movement like that of a windshield wiper by manipulation of a spring. By combining the windshield wiper type movement with the extension and rotation of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter, a large area within a patient's heart may be readily mapped for conduction tissue and be subjected to laser ablation if appropriate. Various configurations provide flexibility in relatively positioning of windows used to apply laser energy and ring electrodes used to sense conduction tissue. Some embodiments provide only mapping (no ablation) or with ablation by other then Various anchoring techniques are described.

Abstract: A method of removing abnormal tissue from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, comprises the steps of introducing an endoscope into the, patient's gastrointestinal tract and applying suction to such abnormal tissue to pull the abnormal tissue into a ligator at the distal end of said endoscope. A ligation band is then applied to the base of the abnormal tissue within the ligator to form a polyp. An electro-surgical snare is then used to sever the polyp from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of hair depilation comprising the steps of providing an augmentation compound that readily absorbs a selected wavelength of laser light energy, encapsulating the augmentation compound within a liposimal carrier, applying an effective amount of the encapsulated augmentation compound to a region of tissue to be depilated sufficient to cause the compound to accumulate within the dermis surrounding each hair follicle and respective papilla, providing a laser light applicator capable of producing a wavelength of energy matched to the selected wavelength of absorption for the augmentation compound, positioning the laser light applicator above the region of skin treated with the augmentation compound and, applying a pulse of laser energy of the selected wavelength to the region of skin treated with the augmentation compound, the pulse of laser energy having a radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy and duration to cause damage to the hair follicle and papilla so that hair