Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the use of multiple light sources for treating skin with or without the use of a topical compositions or photomodulation enhancing agents. Dual light emitting diodes may, for example, be used at relatively low power (less than about 10 J/cm2) to photomodulate skin or living tissue to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne, acne bacteria, and other skin disorders.

Abstract: Configurations are described for utilizing light-activated proteins within cell membranes and subcellular regions to assist with medical treatment paradigms, such as hypertension treatment via anatomically specific and temporally precise modulation of renal plexus activity. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-sensitive proteins to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides systems, devices, and methods for millisecond-timescale temporal control of certain cell activities using moderate light intensities, such as the generation or inhibition of electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a femtosecond laser ophthalmological apparatus and method that creates a flap on the cornea for LASIK refractive surgery or for other applications that require removal of corneal and lens tissue at specific locations, such as in corneal transplants, stromal tunnels, corneal lenticular extraction and cataract surgery. The femtosecond laser is transferred from the main cabinet to a hand piece module via a rotating mirror set module. In the hand piece, the femtosecond laser beam is scanned and guided to the patient's eye. The ablation pattern is based on dividing the area of the ablation area into a matrix grid made up of cells. Predetermined ablation pattern is completed in an individual cell before moving on to the next cell until ablation is complete in the entire matrix grid mapped on the ablation area.

Abstract: A fat reducing device and method utilizing optical emitters includes an array housing a plurality of optical emitters which are positioned to produce an optical output directed to a recipient, and a controller for instructing an operation of the array. The optical output being generated by a plurality of LED's cumulatively producing red light at approximately 635 nm, and at approximately 40,000 Lux, measurable at the array. The method includes reducing the lipid content of subcutaneous adipocytes using the optical emitting device, by delivering red light at approximately 313.6 Lux at a wavelength of approximately 635 nm for between 1 and 8 minutes, resulting in a total delivery of 2.88 Joules to the subcutaneous adipocytes of the target area of the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the inactivation of infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity. The method comprises transmitting non-ultraviolet sterilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) substantially axially along an optical element in the catheter body. Through delivery of the sterilizing EMR to particular areas of highest infection, the present disclosure is able to inactivate the major sources of infection in catheters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a phototherapy device that can deliver light to tissues to activate photoactive agents that have been applied to the tissues or that are included within a fiber optic tip member of the device which may be coupled to a light source using a sleeve. The present disclosure also relates to methods of phototherapy using the phototherapy device such as anti-bactericidal treatment, anti-fungal treatment, anti-parasitic treatment, anti-viral treatment.

Abstract: A method for treating the lung dining an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a housing sleeve disposed in an inner bore of the handle configured to project a distance from the handle distal end, an optic fiber disposed in the housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve disposed over a distal end of the optic fiber, and a light source configured to connect to a proximal end of the optic fiber. The shape memory sleeve may be configured to curve the distal end of the optic fiber at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, when the shape memory sleeve is not contained within the housing sleeve.

Abstract: This invention is an improved method and device for treating varicose veins 200 or the greater saphenous vein 202. The method comprises the use of infrared laser radiation in the region of 1.2 to 1.8 um in a manner from inside the vessel 200 or 202 such that the endothelial cells of the vessel wall 704 are damaged and collagen fibers in the vessel wall 704 are heated to the point where they permanently contract, the vessel 200 or 202 is occluded and ultimately resorbed. The device includes a laser 102 delivered via a fiber optic catheter 300 that may have frosted or diffusing fiber tips 308. A motorized pull-back device 104 is used, and a thermal sensor 600 may be used to help control the power required to maintain the proper treatment temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices, e.g., surgical sutures, surgical staples, surgical pads, surgical meshes, surgical scaffolds etc., and methods of use at a wound in a patient to facilitate the rapid healing of the tissue at the situs of the wound with minimal fibrous tissue formation. The devices are arranged to be brought into engagement with tissue adjacent the wound to close the wound and include a core formed of a piezo-electric material and an outer layer covering the core. The outer layer is platelet derived growth factors. The methods of use of the devices also include applying a local molecular energy production agent to the wound and irradiating the wound with a pulsed infra-red laser beam.

Abstract: A method of treating a cataractous lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of the patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the form two or more different incisions patterns within the lens to segment the lens tissue into a plurality of patterned pieces, and mechanically breaking the lens into a plurality of pieces along the cuts. A first incision pattern includes two or more crossing cut incision planes. A second incision pattern includes a plurality of laser incision each extending along a first length between a posterior and an anterior surface of the lens capsule.

Abstract: A system for ablation of tissue has at least a guideplate having a front surface and a rear surface. The guideplate has multiple guideholes distributed over the front surface and passing from the front surface to the rear surface. The at least three longitudinally advancing laser emitters are on elongated supports. The at least three longitudinally advancing laser emitters on elongated supports have a diameters that allow their passage through the guideholes on the guideplate. Each of the three laser emitters has a projection area for emission of laser energy; and the projection areas for each of the three laser emitters overlapping only a portion of the projection areas for at least two others of the three laser emitters when the at least three laser emitters lie within a single geometric plane. Moving the laser emitters while active devascularizes changing volumes of tumor tissue.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber comprising a waveguide with an input for coupling focused laser energy into the waveguide and communicating electromagnetic radiation in a propagation direction to an internally reflective tip of the waveguide, a tissue contacting surface wherein the light path from the reflecting surface to the transmitting surface in substantially homogenous in refractive index and cooled by fluid flow. In minimizing the variations in refractive index within the lateral light path, while providing active cooling directly below the tissue contact surface, the invention prevents internal reflections and beam distortion and greatly improves the efficiency and durability of the laterally directing probe. Free rotation of the tissue contact surface, about the lateral tip, may be provided and tissue vaporization efficiency may be improved by providing a morcellating tool on the tissue contact surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for treating allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial hay fever), by application of flash lamp radiation. The nasal cavity can be illuminated in a safe and effective manner, with non-coherent light from a flash-lamp or other suitable source. This illumination can be accomplished in any suitable manner, including by use of a handheld device. Such handheld embodiments may contain a power source (battery or AC), control circuitry, light source (flash-lamp or diode laser), lens (focusing or non-focusing), light filter, and/or fiber-optic for delivering light to the nasal cavity. Embodiments include using any suitable light energy, such as visible light in the red wavelengths with a power output of 1 to 10 Joules per cm2. The device can be pre-programmed to deliver a specified amount of light in a specified amount of time using multiple pulses (in the case of a flash lamp) or a continuous wave (in the case of a diode laser).

Abstract: A phototherapy device includes a high intensity light source secured to a leaky light conducting fiber to leak light along the length of the fiber. The light fiber is illuminated at either or both ends by the light source and the light fiber is generally oriented in a 3-D spiral pattern to form a dome of light to provide phototherapy to an area of a patient's scalp to be treated. A generally hemispherical shell is formed of a first or inner translucent diffuser layer secured to a second or outer reflective layer, the first and second layers encapsulating the 3-D non-overlapping spiral pattern light fiber. A control system is also provided to turn off the light source when a break or discontinuity occurs in the fiber.

Abstract: System and method for customizing multifocal ophthalmic lenses, such as an intraocular lens (IOL) or the like, that may be tailored for an individual patient or group of patients beyond the selection of a particular IOL power. One or more eye factors of the patient are determined, a set of different multifocal intraocular lenses having a similar base power are determined based on the eye factors, and a multifocal intraocular lens is selected for the patient from the set based on the eye factors.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system including a computer system programmed with software configured to perform the following steps: a) capturing at least one first view of a region of interest in a human body; b) capturing at least one second view of the region of interest; c) outlining the region of interest and at least one area outside the region of interest with the assistance of an operator; d) constructing a 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest utilizing the at least one first view and the at least one second view of the region of interest; and e) utilizing the 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest to determine at least one cryosurgical probe placement location.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a laser apparatus comprises a semiconductor laser, e.g., of the VECSEL type, for generating pulsed laser radiation having a pulse duration in the femtosecond range or shorter and having a pulse repetition rate of at least 100 MHz; a selector for selecting groups of pulses from the laser radiation, each pulse group comprising a plurality of pulses at the pulse repetition rate, wherein the pulse groups are time-displaced by at least 500 ns; a scanner device for scanning a focal point of the laser radiation; a controller for controlling the scanner device based on a control program including instructions that, when executed by the controller, bring about the creation of a LIOB-based photodisruption for each pulse group in a target material, e.g. human eye tissue.

Abstract: A multi-functional handle manipulates a medical instrument and includes a body capable of being gripped by a hand of a user and further capable of being in communication with the medical instrument. In non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the handle may include one or more of a first trigger assembly, a second trigger assembly and a third trigger assembly. The body may also include a first portion and a second portion coupled thereto such that the second portion is displaced relative to the first portion. At least one of the first portion, second portion and first trigger assembly is capable of manipulating the medical instrument. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments also include one or more of a primary digit-receiving member, a secondary digit-receiving member, and a tertiary digit-supporting member for facilitating ergonomic operation of the handle.

Abstract: A method of scanning a laser beam across a set of cells includes during a first interval, scanning a laser beam across a set of cells; and during a second interval, deflecting the laser beam away from the set of cells. The first interval is selected to cause microcavitation in at least a portion of the cells from the set of cells.