Abstract: A controlled advancement laser ablation device is provided for precise ablation of body matter. The laser ablation device includes a laser energy transmission mechanism such as, e.g. a fiber optic fiber mounted for controlled translational longitudinal movement relative to a housing structure. A laser energy generator is optically connected to the laser energy transmission mechanism. A controlled advancement mechanism is provided in engagement with the laser energy transmission mechanism for advancing the mechanism through the housing structure at a controlled rated coordinated with the laser energy generator output to ablate body tissue. Controlled advancement mechanisms include constant and/or variable rate springs, motors, and other mechanisms which can be coordinated with the laser energy generator to advance the laser energy transmission mechanism as the targeted substance is ablated. The device is particularly suitable for use in transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A controlled advancement laser ablation device is provided for precise ablation of body matter. The laser ablation device includes a laser energy transmission mechanism such as, e.g., a fiber optic fiber mounted for controlled translational longitudinal movement relative to a housing structure. A laser energy generator is optically connected to the laser energy transmission mechanism. A controlled advancement mechanism is provided in engagement with the laser energy transmission mechanism for advancing the mechanism through the housing structure at a controlled rated coordinated with the laser energy generator output to ablate body tissue. Controlled advancement mechanisms include constant and/or variable rate springs, motors, and other mechanisms which can be coordinated with the laser energy generator to advance the laser energy transmission mechanism as the targeted substance is ablated. The device is particularly suitable for use in transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A controlled advancement laser ablation device is provided for precise ablation of body matter. The laser ablation device includes a handle portion having proximal and distal openings and a fiber advancing device having a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is movable towards and away from the stationary member. A fiber casing is included having proximal and distal ends. The distal end is secured to the proximal end of the handle portion and the proximal end is secured to the stationary member. At least one optical fiber is included having proximal and distal ends. The distal end is extendible through the handle portion and a portion of the fiber, defined between the proximal and distal ends, is secured to the movable member. A laser energy generator is optically connected to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The handle portion includes a self-biasing advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for use in a wide variety of roles including grasping, dissecting, clamping, or retracting materials or tissue during surgical procedures performed either in open surgery or within the abdominal cavity.The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a tubular body portion extending from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and tool structure associated with a distal portion of the tubular body portion. A rotation assembly is provided for effectuating rotation of the tool structure about the longitudinal axis of the body portion. Rotation locking structure is provided to lock the rotation assembly at a predetermined orientation such that it cannot be rotated with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A controlled advancement laser ablation device is provided for precise ablation of body matter. The laser ablation device includes a laser energy transmission mechanism such as, e.g. a fiber optic fiber mounted for controlled translational longitudinal movement relative to a housing structure. A laser energy generator is optically connected to the laser energy transmission mechanism. A controlled advancement mechanism is provided in engagement with the laser energy transmission mechanism for advancing the mechanism through the housing structure at a controlled rated coordinated with the laser energy generator output to ablate body tissue. Controlled advancement mechanisms include constant and/or variable rate springs, motors, and other mechanisms which can be coordinated with the laser energy generator to advance the laser energy transmission mechanism as the targeted substance is ablated. The device is particularly suitable for use in transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A suture fastening device which includes a first member having a base and first and second legs projecting in a lengthwise direction along the base. The legs are parallel to each other and are resiliently biased toward a spaced apart position in relation to each other. A second member is provided and includes an aperture for receiving the first and second legs of the first member. The first and second members are connected by a hinge portion. A suture is held in serpentine fashion by positioning the suture transversely across both legs and locking the first member to the second member by forcing the legs through the aperture.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for use in a wide variety of roles including grasping, dissecting, clamping, or retracting materials or tissue during surgical procedures performed either in open surgery or within the abdominal cavity. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a tubular body portion extending from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and tool structure associated with a distal portion of the tubular body portion. A rotation assembly is provided for effectuating rotation of the tool structure about the longitudinal axis of the body portion. Rotation locking structure is provided to lock the rotation assembly at a predetermined orientation such that it cannot be rotated with respect to the handle.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying two-part surgical fasteners during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The apparatus includes a handle portion, an elongated endoscopic portion which extends from the handle portion, and structure associated with a distal end portion of the endoscopic portion for applying a two-part surgical fastener. The fastener applying structure includes a camming assembly for driving the fastener portion of the two-part surgical fastener into engagement with the retainer portion of the two-part surgical fastener through a fastener lifting member.

Abstract: An endoscopic morcellator includes a tubular portion with an elongated auger rotatably positioned within its bore. An aperture near the distal end of the tubular portion permits access for body tissue to contact the auger. The auger is driven by a reversible motor which is powered by a battery pack. A container collects morcellized tissue which is aspirated by means of a suction tube.

Abstract: The disclosure contemplates a device for cinching surgical sutures, an applicator for applying the device, a dispenser for dispensing the device, an endoscopic kit including the above and a method of use for the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a suture clip to a suture includes (a) an endoscopic portion having at least one slot to position a suture transversely to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion, a camming surface for closing a clip onto a suture positioned within the suture receiving means, a pusher for advancing a suture clip into the camming surface, and a tubular housing; and (b) a handle portion including a handle portion housing, and an actuation mechanism for actuating the pusher.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying two-part surgical fasteners during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The apparatus includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion which extends from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly pivotally associated with a distal end of the endoscopic portion for applying a two-part surgical fastener. A mechanism is provided for effectuating articulated pivotal movement of the fastener applying tool assembly within an angular sector of rotation to increase the operational range of the instrument.

Abstract: A wafer processing cluster tool, having one or more load-locks, is provided with one or more batch preheating modules that receive wafers only from the cluster tool transport module at the internal vacuum pressure of the machine. The loading, unloading, handling and processing of wafers in the machine can occur while other wafers are being preheated. The preheat module has a vertically moveable rack and is loaded with various sized batches of wafers with no vacant positions between them. Wafer shaped shields may occupy positions adjacent top and bottom wafers to cause them to heat the same as other wafers in the rack. Infrared lamps positioned outside of quartz windows heat wafers in the preheat module. The rack may rotate to improve heating uniformity. Temperature sensors, such as pyrometers, that do not contact the wafers being preheated, measure temperature for control of the heating of the lamps.

Abstract: A suture holding clip including legs each having a suture contacting surface. The legs can be closed to define an interface for holding a suture in a serpentine configuration. In another embodiment the suture holding clip is initially in a spider leg configuration with a spine and legs projecting from the spine and alternately angled to one or the other of two directions so as to define therebetween a lengthwise extending passage for the reception therethrough of a suture.

Abstract: A method of measuring and controlling the temperature of articles stacked in parallel in a chamber. A pyrometer is positioned outside of a chamber and directed, either directly or with mirrors, through a window in the chamber wall so that only energy from wafers removed from the ends of the stack is received by the pyrometer. The pyrometer is inclined at an angle so that substantially all energy from the opposite side of the stack and reflected through spaces between facing parallel pairs of wafer surfaces will have been reflected a large number of times by the wafers before entering the pyrometer. Thus, regardless of the emissivity or transmissivity of the wafers, the energy incident upon the pyrometer will approach that emitted by a black body of the same temperature as the wafers, and the temperature read by the pyrometer will be independent of the emissivity or transmissivity of the wafers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the temperature of articles such as semiconductor wafers in a sealed chamber of a processing apparatus such as a batch preheating module of a semiconductor wafer processing cluster tool. Wafers of generally known nominal diameter and coefficient of thermal expansion are placed at a known initial temperature into a processing chamber which is then sealed. A pair of beams of parallel light are passed by opposite edges of the wafer and the uninterrupted light from both beams are detected and summed. When the wafer is heated in processing, light from the beams is measured again. Expansion of the wafers changes the amount of uninterrupted light detected, and the changed amount of light is measured. From the measurement, the initial temperature, the nominal diameter and the known coefficient of expansion, processing temperature is calculated and displayed or used to control chamber heaters.

Abstract: A suture holding clip including legs each having a suture contacting surface. The legs can be closed to define an interface for holding a suture in a serpentine configuration. In another embodiment the suture holding clip is initially in a spider leg configuration with a spine and legs projecting from the spine and alternately angled to one or the other of two directions so as to define therebetween a lengthwise extending passage for the reception therethrough of a suture.

Abstract: A suture fastening device which includes a first member having a base and two resilient elongated legs extending from the base. The legs are provided with barbs for snap fit engagement with an aperture in a second member, i.e., a retainer. The suture is held in serpentine fashion by positioning the suture transversely across both the legs and then locking the first member and the retainer.

Abstract: A wafer processing cluster tool, having one or more load-locks, is provided with one or more batch preheating modules that receive wafers only from the cluster tool transport module at the internal vacuum pressure of the machine. The loading, unloading, handling and processing of wafers in the machine can occur while other wafers are being preheated. The preheat module has a vertically moveable rack and is loaded with various sized batches of wafers with no vacant positions between them. Wafer shaped shields may occupy positions adjacent top and bottom wafers to cause them to heat the same as other wafers in the rack. Infrared lamps positioned outside of quartz windows heat wafers in the preheat module. The rack may rotate to improve heating uniformity. Temperature sensors, such as pyrometers, that do not contact the wafers being preheated, measure temperature for control of the heating of the lamps.