Abstract: A cardiac monitoring and defibrillation system is provided which may be embodied as a bedside unit or as an ambulatory unit. The system includes amplification and processing circuitry which receives and conditions inputs from a variety of sensing means such as an electrocardiogram, a blood oxygenation sensor, a blood pressure monitor, and a cardiac acoustical transducer. A noise and artifact discrimination procedure is employed to prevent erroneous detection of the onset of cardiac arrhythmias. In response to the conditioned inputs from the monitoring means, the microprocessor controls therapeutic electrical stimulus which may be delivered to a patient in accordance with a cardioverter/defibrillator step therapy method. The microprocessor may be operated or programmed by means of a control panel or an external programming and monitoring unit.

Abstract: A catheter suitable for the delivery of laser energy to an obstruction in a body lumen is provided, which has an expandable, elastic distal end portion containing optical fibers whose exposed distal end faces are arranged in two or more substantially concentric arrays that merge into a narrower band array of a larger diameter upon radial expansion of the elastic distal end portion. The distal end portion of the catheter is more elastomeric than the catheter body.

Abstract: Optical coupling devices for an improved coupling efficiency of light energy, without damage to the optical components, are disclosed. An optical system divides an input beam of light energy into two or more output beams of lesser energy, each of which is focused toward a focal point in space. Individual optical fibers are positioned with their proximal end faces at the focal points of each of the lesser output beams. Means for dividing the light energy and aligning the components are disclosed.

Abstract: A laser device is provided for the co-axial positioning of plural laser beams of same or different wavelengths along a single axis. At least two laser oscillators are provided, each producing a laser beam. A rotary reflector is positioned for intercepting at least one of the produced laser beams and directing the intercepted laser beam separately from, but along a single axis defined by another laser beam.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced, usually in a containing device, to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in an energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber. The radiation is intercepted at a location axially aligned with the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially circumferentially around, the axis. A reflector member or block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is mounted in an open end of the catheter at a selected axial position along the axis. A fluid, such as a flushing fluid, can be directed between the end of the fiber, against the reflector member, and to the body site.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in a transverse, substantially flat, annular, energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber generally parallel to the axis. The radiation is intercepted axially adjacent the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially around, the axis. A reflector block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is connected to an actuator for locating the reflector block at selected axial positions along the axis whereby the beam irradiates the body site along the axis.

Abstract: A coupling system for coupling a beam of radiant energy from a laser to a fiber optic cable includes a secondary transmission path which surrounds the input end of the fiber optic cable and provides an optical path for energy which is not transmitted by the fiber optic core but is lost. Displaced from an output end of the secondary transmission path is a multi-faceted reflector. The reflector is displaced sufficiently from the output end of the secondary transmission path so that the power density of the radiation incident thereon is reduced sufficiently so as to not damage the facets thereof. The coupling system is contained within a heat sink which receives the reflected and lost radiant energy harmlessly converting same to heat.