Abstract: A laser apparatus for permanently removing a plurality of hair follicles, veins or capillaries from the skin of a patient. The laser apparatus includes a housing having a single laser for sequentially emitting a series of pulses of coherent light energy having a pulse duration in the range of ½ ms to 10 ms; a fiber optic bundle connected to the laser for transmitting said series of pulses of coherent light energy to the skin of a patient; and a sequence control device for controlling the laser to emit the series of pulses of coherent light energy sequentially, with a time delay of less than 20 milliseconds between the sequential pulses of the single laser. The laser apparatus includes a handpiece assembly for holding a section of the fiber optic bundle for directing the series of pulses of coherent light energy to the same spot of the patient's skin to remove the plurality of hair follicles, veins, or capillaries.

Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electro-mechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electro-mechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.

Abstract: An arm device for retaining and positioning an optical fiber unit for medical examination and treatment, so as to easily operate the same. The arm device is provided with flexible arm parts and a lockable, rotatable joint assembly for easy manipulation and positioning of the optical fiber unit.

Abstract: A method for the therapeutic treatment of diseased cells in a patient is disclosed. An electromagnetic field is generated and the patient exposed to the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be a pulsed electromagnetic field and may be used for the treatment of a patient having AIDS. The method may also comprise exposing the patient to an electromagnetic field having frequencies in a visible spectrum in combination with an electromagnetic field having frequencies not in the visible spectrum, such as may be useful to treat a variety of conditions.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method for permanently removing a plurality of hair follicles from the skin of a patient. The laser apparatus includes a housing having first and second lasers contained therein for emitting at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy; first and second fiber optic bundles connected to the first and second lasers, respectively, for transmitting the pulses of coherent light energy from the first and second lasers; the first and second fiber optic bundles connected to a common fiber optic bundle for combining and transmitting at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy from each of the first and second lasers through the common fiber optic bundle; and a sequence control device for controlling the first and second lasers to emit at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy either sequentially or simultaneously, with a time delay of less than 20 milliseconds between the sequential pulses from the first and second lasers.

Abstract: A thermokeratoplasty system and method for locally heating and reshaping a cornea in a manner that produces a minimal regression of the corneal correction. The system includes a probe that is coupled to a power source which can provide current at a predetermined power, frequency and time duration. The probe has a sharp tip that is inserted into the stroma of the cornea. The tip has an insulated stop that controls the depth of tip penetration. Current flows into the cornea through the probe tip to locally heat and denature the corneal tissue. The denatured tissue causes a subsequent shrinkage of the cornea. A pattern of denatured areas can be created around the cornea to correct the vision of the eye.

Abstract: A surgical laser system combines a laser diode array remotely connected to a hand-held surgical probe by a fiber bundle. The surgical system has a which includes a laser head which produces a laser beam for surgical tissue ablation that is delivered through a disposable intraocular probe tip. The probe tip is made of a short section of optical fiber. Preferably, the laser head is an Er:YAG rod pumped by energy from the laser diode array to operate at a wavelength of 2.94 microns. Auxiliary water and thermal electric cooling integral to the hand piece cools the laser head.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing the visual field of a patient is disclosed which utilizes a virtual image of a visual stimulus. The disclosed apparatus includes a light pattern generator which generates a visual stimulus, such as a moving fixation target, and an optical assembly which produces a virtual image of the visual stimulus projected a distance in front of the patient's eye. During measurement of the patient's visual field, the patient observes the virtual image of the visual stimulus. A centration illumination source, such as an infrared laser, also illuminates the patient's pupil with an infrared beam, which is then scattered off the patient's iris. In operation, the apparatus monitors the patient's fixation on the visual stimulus by tracking the movement of the patient's pupil using the scattered infrared image. When the center of the pupil image moves beyond a predefined threshold, a lost of fixation is indicated, from which the patient's visual field can be assessed.

Abstract: A device for separating subcutaneous tissue and for tightening and contracting internal dermal tissue. In particular, the device uses an elongated hollow shaft having a distal end that has an ultrasonic energy source that projects ultrasonic energy outward at the distal end of the device to lyse through the subcutaneous fat tissue, and associated fiber optics and lens that projects laser beams outward to irradiate the internal dermal tissue.

Abstract: A method for treating in-stent restenosis using radiation having a wavelength sufficient to kill or promote cellular death (e.g., through programmed cell death), or otherwise remove smooth muscle cells which have proliferated, or which might otherwise proliferate, in the proximity of (i.e., within, around or adjacent to) a stent within a body lumen, causing (or potentially causing) at least partial blockage of the lumen. The treatment method includes irradiating smooth muscle cells in the region of the stenosis with non-ablative, cytotoxic radiation, such as UV radiation. A cytotoxic, photoactivatable chromophore may also be delivered to the treatment site prior to irradiation. The method can be used prophylactically or to treat in-stent restenosis after blockage has occurred without further damage to surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A method for performing radiation treatment of skin in connection with dynamic cooling of tissue, while minimizing or preventing occurrence of light flash during the treatment.

Abstract: A device and method for underskin laser treatment that is minimally invasive, versatile and precise, that allows for underskin laser treatment with only minimal insertions into the area of treatment. For example, an entire area may be treated with one insertion. The device and method incorporates a standard insertion component making the system inexpensive and easy for doctors to use. In addition, the the invention allows users to get in direct contact with the treatment site, eliminating deleterious side effects encountered when treatment is administered to the skin surface. The device and method has applications in several areas of treatment. First, underskin treatment of aesthetic skin blemishes such as sagging and wrinkles can be performed with minimal external effects. Laser power is delivered directly beneath the skin, bypassing harmful exposure of the skin surface to the radiation.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for selective photocoagulation of subsurface skin (dermis) for the purpose of increasing skin tone, reducing wrinkles, removing hair, removing tattoos or treating varicose veins without damaging the skin surface (epidermis). A diffuser lens in the laser apparatus is employed to focus the laser energy to the dermis. The laser apparatus includes a highly transmissive contact tip and cooling means to reduce heat build-up in the contact tip, as monitored by a thermocouple mechanism. The device can be used alone or in conjunction with superficial laser resurfacing or chemical peels to increase skin tone.

Abstract: A method for laser treatment of the eye using one or more diffractive optical elements for producing unique treatment segments within an ablation zone on the eye. The treatment segments may be annular, pie-shaped, or have other geometries or patterns selected to apply energy in a particular manner, usually in a non-overlapping manner so that energy dosages can be precisely controlled. In a first embodiment of the method, a single diffractive optical element is used and a beam expander expands or converges the beam to achieve the different treatment segments. In a second embodiment, a plurality of diffractive optical elements are used, each of which produces a single treatment segment.

Abstract: A fetal probe with an elongate body and fetal sensor for insertion above the presenting part of the fetus. An expandable means is on the distal end of the body of the sensor for urging the sensor into engagement with the fetus. The expandable means has a collapsed state to facilitate insertion into the cervix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing hairs from a region of skin, the apparatus including: a housing having an opening therein, the housing forming a cavity enclosing a volume of air when the opening is placed in contact with the region of skin; a switchable heat source disposed within the housing that rapidly heats the volume of air to a temperature sufficient to destroy the hair by conduction of heat along the length of the hair to a follicle thereof; and a power source that controllably energizes the heat source.

Abstract: A method for photodynamic treatment of diseases using a source of noncoherent light energy with filtering and focusing devices for producing radient energy in a broad bandwidth, the radient energy is transported to an area for disease treatment through a flexible fiber optic light guide. The light guide includes filtering and focusing devices in the light guide for selecting radient energy of a particular wavelength in order to photoactivate a specific theraputic disease treatment.

Abstract: In evaporation of an organic hard tissue, a damage of a light emitting face of an optical fiber composing a laser probe is suppressed. A laser light source 13 outputs pulsate laser light of a wavelength of 1.0 &mgr;m to 5.5 &mgr;m and an output energy of 1 mJ to 2,500 mJ. The laser light is guided to a contact type handpiece 15 via a waveguide 14. The operator makes a light emitting face 17 of an optical fiber 9 of a probe 16 which is detachably attached to the tip end of the handpiece 15 contact with the surface of an organic hard tissue. In the optical fiber 9, an intermediate layer exists between a core 25 and a clad 26. The refractive index of the intermediate layer is smaller than that of the clad. In the refractive index distribution of the core 25, the refractive index is increased as moving from the center axis to the periphery. The laser light guided to the handpiece 15 passes through the optical fiber 9 of the probe 16 and is then emitted from a light emitting face 17.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument for the therapy of the heart muscle forming channels in the heart muscle tissue by way of laser energy and including a shank tube and at least one instrumentation channel for a laser fiber disposed in axial direction within the shank tube as well as central optics parallel to the laser fiber for observing the locus of treatment. The distal end of the shank tube may be connected to a vacuum source and is designed such that the heart muscle can be restrained by partially suctioning the same against the shank end.