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 heating system includes an electric heater having coupled thereto a temperature controller and a power activation relay switch coupled to the temperature controller and a meter system coupled to a power terminal on the electric heater to provide an interruptible supplemental heating system for use in residential or commercial buildings. The heating system provides electrically generated heat to supplement a primary heating system which generates heat using fuel oil, fuel gas such as natural gas, propane gas, or other fossil fuels. The electric heater can be an electric resistance heater coupled in series with a primary furnace powered by fossil fuel. When the electric resistance heater is activated, the heat contributed by the heater reduces the required heat output of the primary furnace by a corresponding amount of thermal energy. In one embodiment, an electric utility provides electric power to the electric resistance heater at a reduced cost on an as available, fully interruptible basis.