Abstract: A cutting device comprising a curved cutting head and an oscillator for use in medical procedures, such as cataract surgery. The cutting head of the cutting device can be sized and shaped to improve precision and reproducibility of incisions made into biological tissue. In some embodiments, a cutting head of the cutting device can comprise a bent distal tip for making incisions into biological tissue, such as a capsule of an eye.

Abstract: A fiber-optic waveguide, used for ablating lesions in blood vessels, is mounted within and guided by a catheter having multiple lumens extending therethrough and parallel to each other. The waveguide fits within at least one lumen and a guidewire, previously inserted in a blood vessel, extends through another lumen. The distal end of the waveguide can have a short section of larger diameter fiber fused to it to cause a laser beam transmitted through the fiber to expand as it emerges from the waveguide to provide a larger ablation area. The waveguide may also be connected to an energy source by means of an energy coupler.

Abstract: As an effective therapy for restenosis, this invention provides ribozymes and ribozyme delivery systems useful to inhibit abnormal smooth muscle cell proliferation in vascular tissue. Methods of producing ribozymes and gene therapy utilizing these ribozymes also are provided.

Abstract: A deflectable guidewire for a catheter includes a core extending from the proximal end of the guidewire toward the distal end thereof; a hollow sheath for encasing the core; the hollow core including a deflecting region at the distal end of the guidewire, the deflecting region having a first side and a second side, the first side being on an opposite side of a plane extending axially through the hollow means than the second side; the first side of the deflecting region being able to be compressed a greater distance than the second side of the deflecting region; the core being fixed to the hollow sheath at the distal side of the deflecting region; and a control handle mounted at the proximal end of the core and the hollow sheath for applying tension to the core with respect to the hollow sheath so that the tension causes the first side of the deflecting region to compress a greater amount than the second side, thus deflecting the deflecting region.

Abstract: A catheter having an axis extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged to spiral in a first direction to form a circumferential layer around the axis. Rotation of the catheter in the first direction tends to expand the layer while rotation of the catheter in a second opposite direction tends to contract the circumferential layer. An outer jacket limits the expansion of the circumferential layer while an inner core limits the contraction of the circumferential layer to increase torquability of the catheter. The stranded fibers equalize bending stresses to maintain a circular cross-sectional configuration, increase flexibility and a reduced diameter for the catheter.

Abstract: A fiber-optic waveguide, used for ablating lesions in blood vessels, is mounted within and guided by a catheter having multiple lumens extending therethrough and parallel to each other. The waveguide fits within at least one lumen and a guidewire, previously inserted in a blood vessel, extends through another lumen. The distal end of the waveguide can have a short section of larger diameter fiber fused to it to cause a laser beam transmitted through said fiber to expand as it emerges from the waveguide to provide a larger ablation area. The waveguide may also be connected to an energy source by means of an energy coupler. One or more balloons may be mounted to the distal end of the catheter in order to facilitate positioning the waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber-optic instrument, used for ablating lesions in blood vessels, is mounted to and guided by a sleeve having two lumens extending therethrough and parallel to each other. The instrument fits within one lumen and a guidewire, previously inserted in a blood vessel, extends through the other lumen. The sleeve and instrument are advanced along the guidewire within the blood vessel. An inflatable balloon may be provided at the distal end of a fiber optic instrument for retaining saline in order to displace opaque blood that would otherwise surround the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: An interventional therapeutic apparatus is described which includes a probe in the form of a transmission line such as coaxial cable. The probe is adapted to pass through the interior of a body cavity such as a blood vessel and includes an inductive load such as a ferrite bead at the remote end of the cable. Radio frequency energy is applied to the cable and converted into heat by a ferrite bead. As a result of the heat conversion by the ferrite bead, the remote end of the coaxial cable is heated to a sufficient temperature to provide the effect desired, for example to melt or otherwise remove plaque deposits in blood vessels.

Abstract: The transmittance of high peak energy ultraviolet laser light that is conducted within a silica fiber-optic waveguide is increased by doping the silica with a material that functions to repair inherent structural defects in the silica. Preferred materials include one or both of an OH.sup.- radical and fluorine. The silica is synthetic silica that is substantially free of metallic impurities. The cladding for the waveguide is made of an organic material rather than glass.

Abstract: The density of the energy that is conducted within a fiber-optic waveguide is increased by means of an energy coupler at the input end of the optical fiber. This energy coupler comprises a fused or ground lens at the input end of a silica-based fiber. A second lens, preferably a plano-convex lens, focusses a large collimated laser beam to a point source. The lens at the end of the fiber is located at a distance greater than the focal length of the second lens, so as to receive light from the point source and couple it into the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming strong bonds between gold spheres and contact pads on semiconductor devices and the resulting product. The spheres are formed by establishing ball bonds with wire bonding techniques and then severing the wire. The wire material is a gold alloy including palladium which forms a weakened portion above the ball bond so that the wire can be easily broken off.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of high power excimer laser energy includes an optical fiber of pure silica having an energy coupler at one end and a lens at the distal end. The energy coupler can be a funnel-shaped input to the fiber or it can be a water-filled cavity which acts as a buffer to decrease the apparent density of energy entering the fiber. The lens at the distal end of the fiber functions to concentrate the output beam so as to increase its density. The delivery system has particular utility in the field of angioplasty. In such an application, the delivery system can be used to transmit both laser and illuminating light so as to reduce the number of optical fibers that are required and thereby provide a system that is sufficiently small to be fed into a coronary artery. An ultra-thin image scope facilitates a determination of the distance of the distal end from the viewed object and hence the size of the object.