Abstract: A chemical mechanical polisher includes a substrate carrier and support system which employs at least one motor to drive the substrate carrier through polishing motions. An additional driver for driving at least a portion of the carrier in directions perpendicular to the motions supplied by the motor(s) is also included. A clamping flexure is provided to selectively lock the substrate carrier in a vertical position. The substrate carrier, in one embodiment is mounted to a vertical driver via a column. The column is guided by spiral flexures to prevent motion in directions normal to vertical. An air mount is provided to support the majority of the mass of the substrate carrier, so that only a small force need be applied by the additional driver for movements in the vertical direction. Another drive mechanism is also described which provides both polishing motions as well as vertical force application.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for medical treatment of tissue at a treatment site through a body opening. The device includes a sheath having proximal and distal extremities and having a passageway extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A guide tube is slidably mounted in the passageway of the sheath and has proximal and distal extremities and a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A needle electrode is slidably mounted in the lumen of the guide tube and has proximal and distal extremities. Insulation is coaxially disposed on the needle electrode. A handle adapted to be gripped by the human hand is provided and the proximal extremity of the guide tube is mounted on the handle. An assembly is carried by the handle for bending the distal extremity of the guide tube at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The needle electrode is adapted to be coupled to an energy source.

Abstract: A transurethral needle ablation device for use with the human hand for radio frequency ablation of a target volume in the tissue of a prostate of a human male having a bladder with a base and a penis with a urethra therein formed by a urethral wall extending into the base of the bladder along a longitudinal axis with the tissue of the prostate surrounding the urethra near the base of the bladder. The device comprises a bridge having proximal and distal extremities and having a passage therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A sheath having proximal and distal extremities is secured to the bridge and has a passageway therein in communication with the passage in the bridge. The sheath is sized so that it can enter the urethra and has a length so that when its distal extremity is in the vicinity of the prostate, the proximal extremity is outside the urethra.

Abstract: A transurethral needle ablation device for the treatment of the prostate of a human male using radio frequency energy wall comprising a sheath having a lumen extending therethrough. A guide tube assembly is slidably mounted in the lumen in the sheath and having a lumen extending therethrough. A needle electrode is slidably mounted in the lumen in the guide tube assembly. An insulating sheath is disposed about the needle electrode so that the distal extremity of the needle electrode is exposed. A handle adapted to be gripped by the human hand is mounted on the proximal extremity of the sheath. Levers are carried by the handle for causing bending of the distal extremity of the guide tube assembly at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis whereby the lumen in the guide tube assembly can be directed so that it faces the urethral wall.

Abstract: An inventive surgical handpiece comprises a handle unit and structure carried by the handle unit for engaging a patient. A hand actuable element is mounted for rotation on the handle unit, about first and second mutually transverse axes. A first mechanism is responsive to rotation of the hand actuable element about its first axis for imparting first degree of freedom movement to the patient engaging structure. A second mechanism is responsive to rotation of the same hand actuable element about its second axis for imparting second degree of freedom movement to the patient engaging structure.

Abstract: A transurethral needle ablation device for use with the human hand for radio frequency ablation of a target volume in the tissue of a prostate of a human male having a bladder with a base and a penis with a urethra therein formed by a urethral wall extending into the base of the bladder along a longitudinal axis with the tissue of the prostate surrounding the urethra near the base of the bladder. The device comprises a bridge having proximal and distal extremities and having a passage therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A sheath having proximal and distal extremities is secured to the bridge and has a passageway therein in communication with the passage in the bridge. The sheath is sized so that it can enter the urethra and has a length so that when its distal extremity is in the vicinity of the prostate, the proximal extremity is outside the urethra.

Abstract: A transurethral needle ablation device for the treatment of the prostate of a human male using radio frequency energy wall comprising a sheath having a lumen extending therethrough. A guide tube assembly is slidably mounted in the lumen in the sheath and having a lumen extending therethrough. A needle electrode is slidably mounted in the lumen in the guide tube assembly. An insulating sheath is disposed about the needle electrode so that the distal extremity of the needle electrode is exposed. A handle adapted to be gripped by the human hand is mounted on the proximal extremity of the sheath. Levers are carried by the handle for causing bending of the distal extremity of the guide tube assembly at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis whereby the lumen in the guide tube assembly can be directed so that it faces the urethral wall.