Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus has a hand-piece unit with a laser scanner which deflects a laser beam emitted from a laser source to scan a treatment portion of a patient's skin. In the laser treatment apparatus, the first control device controls the laser scanner to perform a laser scanning irradiation. The detection device detects whether the hand-piece unit is electrically connected with the first control device. When the detection device detects the electrical disconnection of the hand-piece unit to the first control device, the second control device forbids the first control device to conduct the laser scanning irradiation.

Abstract: A handpiece for a medical laser system comprising a barrel for having a passage for transmitting a laser beam and a contacting wall on one end of said barrel including an aperture in communication with the passage, a solid face extending radially outward from the aperture to the periphery of said contacting wall, and a knurled surface on the face for preventing movement of the contacting wall with respect to the heart wall during surgery.

Abstract: A laser surgery apparatus including a contact tip comprising an input face having a surface for receiving laser energy from an optical waveguide directed along an axis of propagation. The surface is inclined relative to the axis of propagation such that an angle of incidence between the laser light and the surface is approximately equal to Brewster's angle. Another aspect of the invention includes coating a portion of the tip body with a coating that is reflective to the laser energy. One preferred embodiment comprises a tip body coated with a single coating consisting essentially of a material which is biologically compatible with tissue to prevent generation of a toxic tissue response. A further aspect of the invention includes a tip configuration having a generally conical exterior with a substantially flat surface disposed obliquely to a core axis of the tip body.

Abstract: A controlled process for thoroughly curing light-activated surgical and dental composites and a process for tissue sterilization is presented using a hand-held, self-contained, cordless, rechargeable laser instrument. At least one solid state microchip laser is pumped by at least one diode laser to generate blue laser light of at most 480 nm. Q-switched, pulsed laser light output enhances efficiency and control of the curing. Another microchip laser within the instrument generates 210-360 nm wavelength of UV laser light for the sterilization process which differentially kills micro-biological life forms contaminating a repair site without killing healthy tissue. The process of use includes switching from sterilization mode to curing mode of operation of the instrument to save time during surgical and dental procedures.

Abstract: A method for the delivery of laser light for therapeutic purposes, and, more specifically, for the treatment of buried tumors wherein multiple lasers are used to treat a deeply buried tumorous mass. In more particular, multiple lasers in a spatial array are used to simultaneous irradiate a tumor from a multiplicity of different directions. Tumors treated in this way are heated more homogeneously than those treated via conventional single-laser treatments. Additionally, a multiple source laser treatment scheme puts the enclosing normal tissue at lesser risk than it would be exposed to if the treatment were conducted using via a single laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is provided for treating a target area (22) of a tooth (10). The apparatus (1) generally comprises a coolant delivery system (20) and an ultraviolet laser system (15). The coolant delivery system (20) delivers coolant (52) to the target area (22) while a light guide (44) focuses ultraviolet radiation thereon. The ultraviolet radiation (18) and coolant (52) combine to ablate a desired material without generating excess heat which may otherwise char surface tissue or cause thermal damage.

Abstract: An intraocular light probe has a slit-shaped mask or cannula affixed at a distal end thereof which forms a slit-shaped light beam for intraocular slit-illumination of target features within the eye. A hood at a distal tip portion directs light in a particular direction. A distal flange retains the instrument within the eye. In a second embodiment, a light probe for intraocular application of a slit-shaped light beam is created by forming a slit shape at a distal end of an optical fiber bundle. A third embodiment provides a surgical instrument, such as a phacoemulsifier or vitrector, having an infusion sleeve which incorporates a slit illuminator for intraocular application of a slit-shaped light beam to target tissues. The device of the invention is preferably introduced into the eye via the primary or side-port incision to provide intraocular cross-lighting of tissues during surgical procedures such as cataract extraction, vitrectomy, intraocular lens implantation, refractive surgery, and glaucoma surgery.

Abstract: A low-profile, diffusive tip apparatus adapted for insertion into a body to deliver phototherapeutic radiation by scattering light in a substantially omnidirectional pattern includes a light-transmissive housing that is adapted for mounting, at its proximal end, onto a fiber optic cable, and, at its distal end, the housing defines or is joined to a light-transmissive cap having a diameter which is not substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber. The light transmissive cap region encloses a chamber or reservoir filled with an optically scattering medium and, preferably, hemispherical in shape with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber cables and laser probes are disclosed for providing multi-spot laser beams from a single laser beam source. This permits time-intensive but repetitive laser surgical procedures such as panretinal photocoagulation to be performed with increased accuracy and in a fraction of the time currently allotted for such procedures.

Abstract: A system composed of a device 4 for the coherent amplification of electromagnetic oscillations by means of induced emission through a solid element, crystals or glasses doped with neodymium, semiconductor diodes or liquids or gases, whereby the electromagnetic oscillations emerging from the device are conducted through a cable or optical fiber cable 2 in order to influence a biological system, especially a human body or an animal body 11. The cable 2 has an outlet opening 7 and the oscillations emerging from the cable 2 are conducted through a solid element, a mixture or a liquid or gaseous solution 8 in order to influence the biological system 11, whereby the solid element, the mixture or the liquid or gaseous solutions contain mineral, plant, animal or human extracts or products or else toxins as admixtures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for corneal reprofiling are disclosed in which a beam-swapping assembly is employed to redirect rays of ablative radiation passing through the assembly. Essentially, the beam-swapping assembly turns the beam profile "inside out" redirecting the inner most rays to the periphery of the beam while redirecting the outer rays at the same time to the center of the beam. The beam-swapping assembly can be used in conjunction with a beam-shaper, such as an adjustable iris or other beam-shaping device, to create convoluted annular ablation patterns of variable depth and, thereby, perform hyperopia and/or astigmatism correcting procedures.

Abstract: A beam profiler comprising: an intensity modifier constructed and arranged to separately modify the intensity profile of different subbeam portions of an initial beam to thereby create respective subbeams each having a respective predetermined modification; and a subbeam-directing optical system constructed and arranged to direct the multiple subbeams along respective subbeam beam paths that substantially overlap in an overlap plane, whereby, a resulting beam of radiation is created at the overlap plane that has an intensity profile equal to the optical incoherent summation of the predetermined intensity profiles of said overlapping subbeams. The intensity modifier preferably comprises an array of intensity-modifying profiling elements disposed across the initial beam each producing a corresponding subbeam.

Abstract: An optical working shaft system. The system includes a working shaft for insertion into a working tube of at least one of an endoscope and a catheter. The working shaft has a distal end defining a distal area in a vicinity thereof, and further includes: a device for radiating optical beams through the distal end; and a fluid for scattering the beams at least in the distal area. The fluid is operatively associated with the device for radiating such that, at least in the distal area, a path of the beams extends inside the fluid, the fluid further being effective as a coolant for removing waste heat generated by a scattering of the beams in the distal area.

Abstract: Noncontact apparatus and method for preforming laser thermal keratoplasty capable of scanning of treatment areas with shapes that reduce regression. The apparatus includes laser sources, a projection optical system, observation system, and control system The projection system uses two steering mirrors to control laser beam position on the cornea. This projection system enables precise control of the area of corneal heat shrinkage using relatively low-powered lasers, such as diode lasers. Desired changes in corneal refractive power are produced by selected patterns of photothermal shrinkage of corneal collagen tissue. The selected patterns are arrangements of oblong shapes that are preferably tapered at the ends of the long axis. The oblong shape and tapering distribute tension in the cornea over a wider area of collagen shrinkage and improve the stability of refractive correction.

Abstract: A structure generates electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength selected for activating a photosensitive substance that is applied to a tissue to be treated. The structure is particularly useful for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. The structure includes a body of material, such as a polymer filament, band, or substrate, that contains a gain medium. The gain medium in turn contains a substance (such as dye molecules) for generating a stimulated emission that includes the at least one wavelength when excited by a pump wavelength, and a plurality of scattering sites (such as scattering particles) for scattering the stimulated emission to provide a narrow band emission at the at least one selected wavelength. The narrow band emission in turn activates the photo-sensitive therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A method for direct myocardial revascularization by providing a catheter with a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough, a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body, and a tip section having proximal and distal ends. The tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter also comprises an electromagnetic sensor in the distal portion tip section for producing electrical signals indicative of the location of the electromagnetic sensor. The catheter further comprises at least one electrode carried by the tip section for mapping electrical activity of the heart tissue and at least one electrode lead wire electrically connected to the electrode. An optic fiber is provided within the catheter with its distal end being substantially flush with the distal end of the tip section. Manipulation of the control handle results in deflection of the tip section.

Abstract: A laser catheter for the treatment of lesions and plaque deposits in arteries and other narrow paths having a radiation assembly affixed to a flexible conduit. The conduit generally includes multiple lumens for the passage of an optical fiber, a guide wire, a cooling medium therethrough, or fluid for inflating an angioplasty balloon. The radiation assembly is of short longitudinal profile and includes a generally spherical laser contact member retained within a housing, the latter affixed to the flexible conduit. The radiation assembly provides a dual-mode ablation/melting treatment regime. A longitudinal channel is provided through and along one side of the contact member thereby to permit guide wire positioning of the laser catheter while routing the guide wire away from the laser energy to avoid damage thereto. A balloon, in fluid communication with a catheter lumen, may be positioned rearwardly of the radiation assembly for secondary balloon angioplasty operations.

Abstract: Enhancement of the alignment between the eye and a laser beam of a laser eye surgery system using a visual fixation system, the fixation system often having an adjustable optical train. The optical train of the fixation system allows an eye having a significant refractive error to be accurately focused at a fixation target. To accommodate the refractive error, the adjustable optical train will often project an image of the target so that the projected image is in focus in front of or behind the plane of the patient's eye.

Abstract: A lens shield system for shielding a laser source of a system used for collecting capillary blood or fluid from skin, the lens shield comprising a strap apparatus releasably emplaceable around a member of a living being, the member having skin thereon and blood therein, and a lens shield member connected to the strap and disposed for receiving and for transmission therethrough of a laser beam from the laser source directed at the skin. A removable lens shield for shielding a laser source of a collection system used for perforating skin and collecting blood or fluid therein or therebeneath, the collection system in a housing, the lens shield comprising a body sized and configured for removable emplacement in the housing of the collection system between the laser source and the skin, and a window in the body through which the laser beam is transmissible prior to contacting the skin. A method for collecting fluid from a living being has been invented which uses the devices mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention is for the purpose of providing a medical laser irradiation apparatus which applies laser beams of two or more wavelengths, incapable of transmitting in a quartz optical fiber, through the use of an optical fiber cable, with this medical laser irradiation apparatus being easy to handle and producible at a low cost, and also capable of making irradiation through the use of a relay optical fiber cable comprising a quartz optical fiber. For this purpose, this apparatus is composed of a laser irradiation apparatus to output laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths capable of being transmitted by a quartz optical fiber, and two or more kinds of irradiation optical fiber cables including an optical fiber cable having a quartz optical fiber and containing a solid state laser medium and/or a nonlinear optical crystal at its tip portion.

Abstract: Improved laser keratotomy is provided by defining a pocket in a cornea and insertion thereinto of a spatula or cutting blade having thereon reflective or opening means for controlling application of a laser beam to corneal tissue in anterior or posterior pocket walls to control and define areas of ablation of corneal tissue.

Abstract: In the case of a laser instrument (1) with a laser-light guiding device (3) feeding the laser light, an oblong outcoupling element (15), the longitudinal direction of which is arranged at an angle (W4) in relation to the direction with which the laser light emerges from the guiding device (3), and with a laser-light deflecting device (26) which introduces the laser light emerging from the guiding device (3) into the outcoupling element (15), the deflecting device (26) is integrally moulded onto the outcoupling element (15).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically treating tissue by contact between the apparatus and the tissue. The apparatus includes a holder having a distal end having an opening in it, and a contact member for contacting tissue to be treated and for coupling optical energy from a source of optical energy into said tissue. The contact member is a curved lens mounted in and partially extending from the opening and freely rotatable about at least one axis relative to the holder. The holder has a single coolant flow channel proximal to the opening and the contact member for supplying a cooling fluid to the contact member. A gap is provided between the contact member and the opening for allowing the fluid to flow around substantially the entire outer surface of the contact member and out of the opening onto said tissue to cool the tissue.

Abstract: A laser-powered fiberoptic heating element comprises a crystalline optic fiber fusion bonded to a crystalline heat-generating tip section.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for removing hard and soft tissue from a narrow channel has at its cutting end a configuration that causes the laser light to emerge in an annular region and not apically.

Abstract: Methods for modifying a live cornea to correct a patient's vision. In the case of hyperopia, at least one slit is first made in the cornea for inserting a knife, a fiber optic cable or micro-cutting tool therein to separate an internal area of the cornea into first and second opposed internal surfaces such that a substantially circular area centered about the main optical axis of the cornea remains attached between the first and second internal surfaces. The laser beam or micro-cutting tool can be directed onto one of the first and second internal surfaces, or both, if needed or desired to incrementally and sequentially remove three-dimensional portions of the cornea. If a laser beam is used, then a flexible template can be inserted between the internal surfaces of the cornea for accurately controlling the pattern to be ablated within the cornea. In the case of myopia, instead of removing intrastromal tissue, ocular material can be introduced between the internal surfaces to change the patient's vision.

Abstract: A micro surgical lighting instrument includes a hollow needle and a light guide received coaxially within the hollow needle and connected to a light source for transmitting light to a surgical site of a patient. The light guide has a distal end formed with an end face of circular segment shape and defined by a plane oriented orthogonal to the axis of the hollow needle, and a slanted surface adjacent the end face and extending rearwardly at an acute angle, with the slanted surface being lined by a coating for reflection of incident light rays.

Abstract: A catheter and a method for using the catheter for the transluminal hyperthermic treatment of target tissue is presented. The catheter comprises an elongate tubular member having two coolant circulating lumens and an optical waveguide coextensive therewith, the proximal end of the optical waveguide being adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end of the optical waveguide terminating in a diffuser tip. The diffuser tip provides a means for radially distributing treatment light from the light source to tissue adjacent to the distal tip of the catheter to heat the tissue. A transparent, inflatable balloon surrounds the diffuser tip. The inflatable balloon permits the flow of an optically transparent coolant around the diffuser tip to cool the tissue immediately adjacent to the diffuser tip to prevent overheating. A method of using the device for the transurethral treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy is presented as an example.

Abstract: A handpiece assembly for laser apparatus is provided which includes a manually-graspable handpiece having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway through the handpiece from its proximal end to its distal end for receiving an optical fiber having a proximal end to be optically coupled to a laser beam source and a distal end to project through the distal end of the handpiece for delivering the laser beam to a working area; a clamping device for clamping the optical fiber to the handpiece such that a predetermined length of the optical fiber projects outwardly of the distal end of the handpiece; and an applicator device having at one end a quickly-attachable connector quickly attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the handpiece, and at the opposite end a rigid preformed sheath of a length to enclose the projecting length of the optical fiber, and of a shape to impart to the optical fiber a desired shape according to the particular working area to receive the laser beam.

Abstract: The system and method of delivery of laser radiation comprises a flexible hollow waveguide connectable at a first end to a low power laser source, such as a CO.sub.2 laser, a rigid hollow waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end, a coupler for coupling the second end of the flexible hollow waveguide to the proximal end of the rigid hollow waveguide and a diamond tip partially disposed within and extending from the distal end of the rigid waveguide. The diamond tip has an entrance face for receiving laser radiation and at least one exit face for transmitting laser radiation toward an area of biological tissue. The exit end of the diamond tip may be flat, parallel to the entrance face, curved, to act as a lens providing a focusing function, or beveled, to create one or more blade edges to limit the point(s) of exit of the laser radiation and to provide a cutting edge which may be used in combination with the radiation to simultaneously create and photocoagulate the tissue at an incision.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed in which a dielectric structure is operatively coupled to phototherapeutic instrument to reflect light without substantial heating. The invention is particularly useful in light diffusive tip assemblies for phototherapy that have components which increase in temperature after prolonged exposure to light, such as metallic plugs or coatings typically located at the end cap of the diffusive tip assembly to terminate light propagation, and also metallic structures incorporated into phototherapeutic instruments to facilitate radiographic or fluoroscopic imaging during a therapeutic procedure.

Abstract: In order to render possible the ablation to different depths in a process for correcting the shape of a lens in which the surface of the lens is acted upon by the radiation of a pulsed radiation source through a shutter in specific regions exposed by the shutter and thereby removing material from the lens by the radiation effect during the impingement of each radiation pulse, wherein the radiation is concentrated in a bundle of rays, the cross section of which is smaller when striking the lens surface than that of the lens surface exposed by the shutter, and wherein the bundle of rays is moved such that the entire lens surface exposed by the shutter is irradiated by radiation pulses consecutively impinging on the lens surface, it is suggested that the bundle of rays is moved between successive radiation pulses only to such an extent that the regions of the lens surface struck by the radiation pulses consecutively impinging on the lens surface partially overlap.

Abstract: A compact, hand-held, rechargeable, tunable, self-contained laser instrument is presented for use in dentistry, oral surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other medical procedures such as sterilization and curing of photo-polymerizable materials. The inventive instrument includes microchip lasers that consume at most 10 Watts and generate a peak output laser beam power of at least 20 mWatts that is adjustable to the light absorbing characteristics of the target material. Laser microchips, pumping laser, thermo-electric heat exchanger, rechargeable batteries, and laser optics are all contained within the same housing which is cordless, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for medical treatment use in which a laser beam is irradiated on a portion of a human body to be treated comprises a laser beam generation unit for generating a laser beam of giant pulse, a laser beam guide member having one end through which the laser beam from the laser beam generation unit is guided, and a hand piece attached to another end of the laser beam guide member and irradiating the laser beam to the portion to be treated. A beam converging point is formed within a laser beam propagating path formed in at least one of the light guiding means and the hand piece and a stay of air is prevented from a predetermined region in the laser beam propagating path including at least the beam converging point at which the air stays. The predetermined region is positioned within the hand piece or the laser beam guide member. The air stay is prevented by means of producing a vacuum state, gas seal state or air flow state in the predetermined region.

Abstract: A illuminated surgical instrument (11) includes an optical fiber (21) with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector (15) disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber, and a handpiece (13) disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber. The handpiece has a handpiece body and a needle (25) extending distally from the handpiece body, the optical fiber (21) extending generally through the handpiece and extending slightly past the distal end of the needle (25). The handpiece (13) is suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and the needle (25) is of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye. The instrument (11) includes structures at the distal end of the optical fiber (21) for dispersing light passing from an illumination source through the cable to broaden the area on which light impinges, and a shield (47) disposed proximally of a portion of the dispersing structure to prevent light from impinging upon a predetermined area.

Abstract: A medical catheter for treating atherosclerotic plaque and other abnormalities includes optical fibers for applying laser energy to the plaque and an ultrasonic transducer system for sensing the location and configuration of the plaque. The optical fibers and electrical wiring for the transducers extend through a probe which is rotatable inside of the catheter tube to provide universal directional control of the fibers and transducers. A reflective system includes a curved reflector in the probe which can be axially adjusted to vary the directions of the ultrasonic signals. Alternative forms of the invention include different reflector schemes, an angled ultrasonic transducer having a conical signal output that varies with frequency, and various different systems for rotating the transducers and fibers.

Abstract: A new laser perforator has been invented for perforating skin with a perforation to permit blood under a surface of the skin to flow out, the perforator in one embodiment having a laser light source for producing an output laser beam, and a mode distribution apparatus for intercepting the output laser beam to control distribution of laser energy of the output laser beam across the perforation of the skin. A laser perforator is disclosed for perforating skin with a perforation to permit blood under a surface of the skin to flow out, the perforator in one embodiment having a laser light source for producing an output laser beam having an energy level between about 0.1 to about 2.0 Joules, the perforation ranging in diameter between about 0.1 to about 2.0 millimeters, in depth between about 0.5 to about 4.0 millimeters, and ranging in width between about 0.05 to about 0.2 millimeters. A method is also disclosed for perforating skin for blood sampling.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses related to laser-assisted intra-coronary transmyocardial revascularization (ITMR), and more particularly, to improved methods and apparatuses for directing an interventional catheter device, via percutaneous or other entry into the vasculature, for example at the femoral artery, over the aortic arch, through the ascending aorta and over the coronary ostia such that the laser delivery means can be positioned inside a coronary artery and laser energy is used to create a plurality of small channels through the coronary artery into the tissue of the myocardium. An proximal hub portion and method of using it are described, the proximal hub portion adapted for attachment to a central, elongated lumen portion, the proximal hub portion optionally having a plurality of branched extending arms, the sheath and associated branched arms having individual blood loss seals and individually capable of receiving a laser delivery means, visualization or marking means, or other tools.

Abstract: A system is provided to position an energy delivery handpiece a desired distance from a treatment site while at the same time protecting the handpiece, and energy transmitting optical fibers, from soiling due to tissue debris. The system includes one or more energy transmissive members that are formed from a material that allows the passage of electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy therethrough. The energy transmissive members can be removably and replaceably attachable to one end of a spacer member. An opposite end of the spacer member is mountable to the energy delivery handpiece. The energy transmissive member is effective protect the handpiece from tissue eruptions. In one embodiment the energy transmissive member also is effective to focus electromagnetic energy upon the treatment site.

Abstract: A noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus and method for marking a cornea of a patient's or donor's eye in transplanting surgery or keratoplasty, and in incising or excising the corneal tissue in keratotomy, and for tissue welding during thermokeratoplasty. The noncontact laser microsurgical apparatus comprises a laser source and a projection optical system for converting laser beams emitted from the laser source into coaxially distributed beam spots on the cornea. The apparatus further includes a multiple-facet prismatic axicon lens system movably mounted for varying the distribution of the beam spots on the cornea. In a further embodiment of the method of the present invention, an adjustable mask pattern is inserted in the optical path of the laser source to selectively block certain portions of the laser beams to thereby impinge only selected areas of the cornea.

Abstract: A laser scanning method and apparatus having a scanning hand piece 18 connected at the free end 20 of a hollow wave guide 14 to scan a beam of laser energy 22 in a predetermined pattern to uniformly ablate in an enlarged target area. The hand piece 18 includes a hollow shaft motor 40 having a conduit mounted therein for conducting the beam of laser energy 22. The conduit 54 has a proximal end 56 in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis 60 of the hollow shaft 48 and in light energy communication with the laser energy generator 12. The distal end 58 of the conduit 54 is mounted in the hollow shaft 48 so that it is eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis 60 of the hollow shaft 48. When the motor 40 is energized, the hollow shaft 48 rotates the distal end 58 of the conduit 54 in a predetermined circular pattern to scan the laser energy uniformly and thoroughly over the tissue in the target area.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and method for perforation of skin for the purpose of drawing blood or administering pharmaceuticals. The device incorporates a laser which produces a laser beam at an appropriate wavelength which is specifically focused to perforate the skin of a patient. Optionally a container can be incorporated in the device for collection of blood from the perforated tissue.

Abstract: A surgical laser handpiece comprising: an outer barrel having an inner chamber; an inner zoom barrel movable in said chamber relative to said outer barrel; at least a first lens device in said zoom barrel for propagating and focusing a laser beam; and a drive member externally accessible on said outer barrel for moving said zoom barrel with one hand relative to said outer barrel for varying the focus of the laser beam.

Abstract: A laser probe including an optical fiber for guiding a laser beam, a holder fixed at an end portion of the optical fiber, and a reflection tip detachably attached to the holder and having a reflection surface for reflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A handpiece for stomatological application of laser light includes a movable light and agent transmission system connected to a proximal side of the handpiece and an application element containing a work tip connected to a distal side of the handpiece. Advantageously, the laser beam in the application element is directed onto an exit location that proceeds essentially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the application element, and is focused such that the focus of the laser light lies immediately in front of a light exit window.

Abstract: A laser medical device for delivering energy to tissue to be treated. The device includes a laser energy transmitting conduit having a longitudinal axis, and has a proximal end for connection to a source of laser energy and a distal end from which laser energy transmitted by the conduit is emitted. A laser energy redirecting member is located adjacent the distal end of the conduit for redirecting the laser energy in a lateral direction with respect to the axis of the conduit, and a tissue contact member is provided adjacent the laser energy redirecting member. The tissue contact member has a transverse cross section of preselected shape and a longitudinal axis generally transverse to the axis of the conduit. The tissue contact member further has an input surface for receiving laser energy redirected by the laser energy redirecting member and transmitting the laser energy received from the laser energy redirecting member.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for controlling an apparatus for removing tissue from the eye performs various types of corrections using a relatively large beam, but oscillating, or dithering, that being to prevent reinforcing ridges from being formed during the tissue removal process. Further, various types of correction, such as hyperopia and astigmatism correction, are performed using a large beam that is scanned over the area to be ablated using overlapping shots. Further, the epithelium in the area to be treated is removed using an infrared fluorescent dye to dye the epithelium, and then observing the fluorescent patterns from the epithelium area to be removed. Once a certain area is no longer fluorescent after laser shots, smaller shots are then applied, selectively removing the epithelium from the remaining regions. Again, the fluorescence patterns are observed, and the process is repeated until no epithelium remains.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing brain tumors by vaporizing the tumor tissue with a laser beam in select scan planes of the tumor. A cored hole through the tumor is made by the laser beam, and an endoscope is inserted through the cored hole, which has a mirror mounted at a 45 degree angle near the end of it and mounted within it, that is capable of reflecting the laser beam at a 90 degree angle. The endoscope is inserted all the way through the cored hole, and sucessive scans of the brain tumor are taken perpendicular to the endoscope. The endoscope is then moved axially to position the 45 degree mirror at each scan plane, and the reflected laser beam is then rotated and also oscillated between calculated angles to vaporize the tumor tissue in each scan plane, until the entire brain tumor is vaporized by the laser beam. During this procedure the gas being produced by vaporization of the tumor tissue is suctioned out through the interior of the endoscope.

Abstract: An illuminator including a differential optical radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the differential optical radiator. The differential optical radiator includes a first region that has a first level of reflectivity and a first level of transmissivity and a second region that has a second, higher level of reflectivity and a second, lower level of transmissivity. The first and second regions are positioned such and their reflectivities and transmissivities are chosen such that the radiator produces a substantially uniform pattern of illumination from the first and second regions. In another embodiment, the illuminator includes an expandable radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the expandable radiator. The reflectivity of the expandable radiator is such that the illumination at the outer surface of the expandable radiator is substantially uniform.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a laser beam to a working surface, by displacing the laser beam to trace a plurality of circular scans over the working surface; and continuously varying the diameters of the circular scans at a rate to produce a substantially homogenous distribution of the laser energy over the working surface.