Abstract: A package for an optical fiber includes a mounting sheet material, and a plurality of clips carried by the mounting sheet in a closed-loop, e.g., circular or oblong array. Each of the clips has a pair of jaws for receiving between them an optical fiber to be wound around, and releasably retained by, the array of clips.

Abstract: A laser micromanipulator for surgical applications includes an adaptor attachable to a laser and to a microscope which automatically maintains, preferably using phase detection, the laser beam in focus on tissue during any changes in the working distance by the surgeon manipulating the microscope.

Abstract: A side-emitting optical fiber is provided. The side-emitting optical fiber has a proximal end for receiving radiation, a distal end including a distal tip through which the radiation is emitted in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the fiber via a radiation exit regions at the distal tip, and a visually discernible marking. The visually discernible marking is adjacent to the radiation exit region to enable discerning the location of the radiation exit region as the optical fiber is manipulated by a user. The side-emitting optical fiber is characterized in that the visually discernible marking extends for approximately 180.degree. around the circumference of the fiber, has a visually discernible center located approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: A method of treating ice pick scars is provided in which the epidermal layer surrounding an ice pick scar is ablated to provide a recipient hole into which skin is grafted. Smoothing of the skin after grafting may then be performed with permanent rejuvenation.

Abstract: A method of facial rejuvenation is provided in which ablation of an area of skin is accomplished to above the papillary dermis, providing effective permanent smoothness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating bright light sources includes a first plurality of semiconductor lasers in which each of the first plurality of semiconductor lasers emits a beam of light of a first frequency; a second plurality of semiconductor lasers in which each of the second plurality of semiconductor lasers emits a beam of light of a second frequency; a first bundle of optical fibers for receiving the light from ones of the first plurality of semiconductor lasers and providing a first combined laser beam of a predetermined shape and having a cross-sectional area and a solid angle; a second bundle of optical fibers for receiving the light from ones of the second plurality of semiconductor lasers and providing a second combined laser beam of a predetermined shape and having a cross-sectional area and a solid angle; and frequency responsive optics for combining the first and second combined laser beams into a composite laser beam, the composite laser beam having substantially the same product of cross

Abstract: A method and apparatus 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.

Abstract: A handpiece for laser apparatus includes a handle having a proximal end connectible to a laser beam source, a distal end through which the laser beam is delivered to a working area, and a passageway connecting the proximal end to the distal end; and a mirror carried at the distal end of the handle and tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passageway to deliver the laser beam to a selected point in the working area. The mirror is elongated along one direction to permit directing the laser beam along a beam axis intercepting the mirror at a first point and reflecting the laser beam to the working area, and to permit viewing the working area along a viewing axis intercepting the mirror at a second point thereof displaced from the first point in the elongated direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of removing smoke and vaporized tissue from a patient's mouth and controlling a patient's tongue through use of a hollow tongue blade coupled to a pneumatic evacuation device which can be used in conjunction with a pharyngeal handpiece during laser applications.

Abstract: A device for treating the interior of a body cavity with laser energy includes a cannula having a distal end adapted to be inserted into the body cavity to be treated, and a proximal end to be located externally of the body cavity when the distal end is inserted therein, and an optical fiber axially movable within the cannula to either a retracted, non-operative position or to an extended, operative position. The optical fiber has a proximal end to be coupled to a source of laser energy, and a distal end to project outwardly of the cannula in the extended, operative position of the optical fiber. The distal end of the optical fiber has a roughened outer surface for scattering the laser energy laterally outwardly of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for causing uniform ablation of irradiated material of living tissue while not causing damage below a predetermined depth where laser radiation is provided sequentially and continuously in a predetermined pattern is disclosed.

Abstract: A laser beam delivery system includes a fiber cord assembly connectable to a laser beam source; a probe connector assembly connectable at one end to the fiber cord assembly and having a socket at its opposite end for receiving, in a quickly attachable/detachable manner, a fiber probe to deliver the laser beam to a working site; and a fiber probe for insertion into the socket.

Abstract: A gas laser includes an inner tube filled with gas and having mirrors at its opposite ends to define a resonant chamber, an outer tube filled with gas and defining a gas reservoir for the gas in the resonant chamber, and electrodes for energizing the gas in the resonant chamber. The gas reservoir includes a pair of intermediate tubes coaxial with and between the inner and outer tubes. One of the intermediate tubes is open at one end facing one end of the laser and is joined at its opposite end facing the opposite end of the laser to the outer tube. The other intermediate tube is open at its end facing the opposite end of the laser and is joined at its end facing the one end of the laser to the inner tube, whereby the pair of intermediate tubes divide the reservoir into a plurality of annular spaces defining a zigzag path between the opposite ends of inner tube.

Abstract: An optical-fiber type power transmission device, comprises an optical fiber for transmitting the power from a power input end through a power output end of the optical fiber; an opaque protective sleeve over the optical fiber and having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber to define a gas passageway therebetween; and a tubular waveguide secured to the protective sleeve at the power output end of the optical fiber and projecting past the power output end. The tubular waveguide is unattached to the optical fiber to permit the fiber to move with respect to the tubular waveguide and protective sleeve during the bending of the device.

Abstract: An endoscopic attachment to a surgical laser comprises a hollow endoscopic tube adapted to be coupled at its rear end to the surgical laser, a coupling device including a pivotable reflector in the path of the laser beam transmitted through the endoscopic tube for reflecting same to the working area at the front end of the tube, and a manipulatable joystick connected to the reflector for manipulating the laser beam to direct it through the endoscopic tube and to selected positions in the working area at the front end of the tube. The attachment is to be used with a surgical laser producing a working laser beam and a separate, visible, aiming laser beam, the latter being partially reflected by the reflector and partially transmitted through the reflector to permit viewing the working area.

Abstract: Laser control apparatus for controlling a laser beam with respect to a working area to trace a desired pattern on a working area comprises an input device for inputting the desired pattern; a memory for storing a line pattern; a display for displaying the pattern; and a control system for controlling the laser beam. The control system comprises a Line-Operation selector and an Area-Operation selector, the Line-Operation selector being effective to cause the line pattern stored in the memory to be reproduced by the laser beam on the object, the Area-Operation selector being effective to cause the line pattern stored in the memory to be converted to an area pattern enclosing the area bounded by the line.

Abstract: An ophthalmoscopic instrument for measuring eye defects, particularly cataract and flare, is described including a beam-splitter for splitting a light-beam into a first portion travelling through a first path to the examined eye from which it is reflected back to a viewing station, and a second portion travelling through a second path to a light scatterer from which it is reflected back to the viewing station. A variable filter is provided in the second path and is varied to match the intensity of the light arriving at the viewing station from the second path with the light arriving at the viewing station from the first path, to provide an indication of the intensity of the later light. The instrument further includes a second filter which is selectively either introduced into the second path to adapt the instrument for measuring flare, or removed from the second path to adapt the instrument for measuring cataract.

Abstract: A mechanical control system for moving a controlled device in response to the movement of a universally movable control member, comprises a first ball mounted for universal movement in a first socket; a second ball mounted for universal movement in a second socket, and having one side facing one side of the first ball; the control member being coupled to the opposite side of the first ball; the controlled device being coupled to the opposite side of the second ball; and a connecting stem having a third ball at one end received in a third socket formed in said one side of the first ball, the opposite end of the stem being fixed to said one side of the second ball. The invention is described particularly for controlling a laser beam in accordance with the movement of a joy stick.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a working laser beam with respect to a working area comprises a manipulatable guide having a hand manipulator including a focussing lens for manipulating and focussing the beam on the working area; and a laser generating a low-energy visible laser beam which is directed through the guide and focussing manipulator with the working laser beam. The low-energy laser beam has a divergence angle not substantially greater than that of the working laser beam and includes sections on opposite sides of and equally spaced from the center of the working laser beam such that the focal point of the sections of the low-energy laser beam, when focussed to a single point by the focussing lens, also designates the focal point of the working laser beam.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a beam of radiant energy, particularly a laser beam, with respect to a target comprises a reflector in the path of the beam, the reflector having an aperture of a diameter smaller than that of the beam so that the aperture permits the center portion of the beam to pass therethrough to the target, while the outer marginal fringe of the beam is intercepted and reflected to a sighting member, the device further including an optical system transposing the image of the sighting member onto the field of the target, thereby enabling real-time alignment of the beam and providing a better defined beam and while permitting the alignment to be effected before directing the beam to the target.