Abstract: A method for preventing platelet adhesion to a vascular surface in a mammal, which includes irradiating the vascular surface with a pulse of laser energy having a pulse duration less than the thermal relaxation time of the irradiated vascular surface, wherein lasar energy is delivered to said vascular surface via radiographic contrast material.

Abstract: Surgery is performed with a pulsed heat-producing device that selectively heats a region in a specific tissue within a patient destroying the tissue. The pulsed heat-producing device may be a coherent optical source that is guided by laser fiber to the tissue to be destroyed. In another embodiment, the pulsed heat-producing device is a focussed ultrasound transducer which concentrates ultrasonic energy at a focal point within the specific tissue. A magnetic resonance imaging system employing a real-time temperature-sensitive pulse sequence monitors the heated region of the tissue to provide temperature profiles allowing an operator to alter the position and size of the heated region.

Abstract: Surgery is performed with a pulsed heat-producing device that selectively heats a region in a specific tissue within a patient destroying the tissue. The pulsed heat-producing device may be a coherent optical source that is guided by laser fiber to the tissue to be destroyed. In another embodiment, the pulsed heat-producing device is a focussed ultrasound transducer which concentrates ultrasonic energy at a focal point within the specific tissue. A magnetic resonance imaging system employing a real-time temperature-sensitive pulse sequence monitors the heated region of the tissue to provide temperature profiles allowing an operator to alter the position and size of the heated region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a therapeutic device including an optical source including means for generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and a light delivery apparatus. The light delivery apparatus includes a body member and a plurality of optical fibers extending therefrom. Each of the optical fibers includes a proximal tip affixed to the body member, a distal tip at the end of the fiber opposite the proximal tip, and means for coupling the generated radiation from the proximal tips of the fibers through the fibers, and to the distal tips. The distal tips are characterized by a radius of curvature in the range 0.25 to 2.0 mm. The coupling means includes a flexible central core disposed within a flexible outer cladding. The central core has a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and the cladding has a refraction less than the index of refraction of the core.

Abstract: A disposable fiber diverter probe is provided that eliminates many of the typical problems associated with conventional fiber diverter probes that are designed to be used multiple times and must be sterilized between each use. The present invention utilizes thermoplastic materials in many of the components that traditional designs require to be made of metal in order to perform the required functions of a fiber diverter probe. The improved design of the present invention enables less complex, low cost parts to be used in a fiber diverter probe, wherein the probe still provides expanded capabilities over conventional, more expensive fiber diverter probes, such as more accessible and user-friendly controls for the surgeon. Moreover, the reduced cost of the fiber diverter probe provided by the present invention enables a medical facility or a private physician to make disposable fiber diverter probes economically feasible, thus eliminating the risk of exposing patients to a contaminated probe.

Abstract: A device for terminating a surgical apparatus such as a fiber optic catheter is disclosed. A fiber optic catheter having an outer body, an inner body disposed within the outer body to form an outer lumen therebetween and an inner lumen within the inner body, and optical fibers within the outer lumen is terminated at its distal end with a two-piece tip. An outer band of the tip has one end between the outer body and the optical fibers, while an inner band contacts the ends of the inner body and the optical fibers. The terminal faces of the optical fibers may be angled to increase the surface area illuminated or ablated by the fiber optic catheter. The inner and outer bands may be flared outwardly to increase the surface area affected even more. The inner body may also be extended beyond the terminal face to aid tracking of the catheter. The inner body and inner band may be eccentric to the outer body and outer band so that the catheter may be rotated to ablate a larger vascular area.