Abstract: A viewing and treatment apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery through an opening in a patient's chest, the apparatus includes a visualization scope with an elongated portion and a distal end, and a working device such as a tissue ablation energy delivery device. The working device is encompassed within a working channel that communicates with the distal end of the scope. In one embodiment, a bronchoscope is used whose catheter shafting includes an introducer sleeve at the distal section of the scope for providing stability during introduction to a patient's chest while stabilizing the treatment and visualization distal ends of the scope at a treatment site. This embodiment can include a needle piercing assembly that cooperatively works with the work device such as for drug delivery.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor having an emitter(s) and a detector, with a layer having a first portion of the emitter and a second portion of layer over the detector is provided. A barrier is included between the first and second portions of the overlying layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by the emitter(s). Preferably, the barrier reduces the radiation shunted to less than 10% of the radiation detected, and more preferably to less than 1% of the radiation detected. Additionally the shunt barrier is selected from a fibrous material, a woven material, and a compressible foam.

Abstract: A method for permanently removing hair utilizes the hair shaft and hair ducts to transmit light into the tissue sustaining the hair follicle, thereby permanently destroying or modifying the tissue in a manner which desirably mitigates hair growth. The method includes the steps of covering the patient's skin area with a high reflectance substance so as to substantially protect all skin components other than those sustaining the hair. The hair is optionally shaved or pulled out, and then the skin is illuminated with either a large-area electromagnetic radiation field for simultaneous destruction of multiple hair-follicles, or alternatively with a tightly-focused beam which destroys one hair at a time. Optionally, the beam may be rapidly scanned so as to destroy single hairs quickly in succession. The surrounding skin region is left substantially free of injury. This mitigates pain and enhances post hair removal healing.

Abstract: An electrophysiology energy treatment system for treating tissues within a patient's body with RF energy comprises an elongate catheter tube having a distal end, with a porous member thereon, insertable into the patient's body. An RF electrode is within the catheter tube adjacent the distal end and locatable within the patient's body, and an electrolyte fluid flows within the catheter tube for electrically connecting the electrode to the tissues to be treated within the patient's body.

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 a single laser for sequentially emitting a series of pulses of coherent light energy having a pulse width in the range of ½ ms to 40 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 100 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: A laser apparatus and method for permanently removing a plurality of hair follicles from the skin of a patient. The laser apparatus and method includes a housing having at least first and second lasers contained therein for emitting at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy having a pulse width in the range of 1/2 ms to 40 ms; a first fiber optic bundle connected to the first laser for transmitting at least a first pulse of coherent light energy to the skin of a patient, and a second fiber optic bundle connected to the second laser for transmitting at least a second pulse of coherent light energy to the skin of a patient; and a sequence control device for controlling at least 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 100 milliseconds between the sequential pulses of the first and second lasers.

Abstract: A laser non-ablative laser method that will accelerate and improve wound healing, particularly in situations where complicating factors are present. In particular, it is believed that the present invention produces selective papillary dermal injury which activates the production of fibroblasts and stimulates the synthesis of collagen to promote wound healing. Additionally, the likelihood of infection at the wound site is reduced by simultaneously employing a transparent wound cover that allows for small molecule permeation, while effectively preventing microbial invasion. To further enhance the healing process, the laser therapy can be preceded by mechanically scraping the surface of the wound to remove necrotic tissue. Additional methods may also be employed after the laser treatment to prevent tissue dehydration, to accelerate angiogenesis, and to increase the breakdown of dead tissue and fibrin.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is combined with a temperature sensor to monitor a patient's breathing patterns. The combination of sensors enables an analysis of the patient's breathing patterns to be made without the use of a face mask even if the patient breathes through the mouth or draws only very weak breaths. The patient's sleep is therefore less likely to be disrupted by the presence of the monitoring equipment and a more accurate diagnosis of any sleep disorder can be made.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic and open surgical procedures, e.g., prosthetic implant replacement surgery. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic tube section extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotally connected to a distal end of the tube section, and an implant adaptor operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for progressively manipulating the articulating section of the instrument relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion within an angular range of motion. Structure is further provided for rotationally manipulating the implant adaptor relative to the extended longitudinal axis of the distal end of the articulating portion.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery apparatus comprising a system for observing an anterior portion of an eye, and an optical system for irradiating a laser beam for treatment to the eye, the apparatus is a corneal surgery apparatus irradiating the laser beam to a cornea and ablating a surface thereof, the apparatus comprising a moving device for moving the optical system relatively against the eye, an illuminating device for illuminating a large area of the anterior portion of the eye, a photoelectric transducing device having a two-dimensional light sensing plane, for sensing distribution of light volume of the anterior portion of the eye, a pupil position sensing device for sensing the position of a pupil, a control device for controlling the moving device based on sensed results, a tracking signal generating device for generating a signal to track movement of the eye, whereby the moving device is controlled by the control device so as to track movement of the eye by inputting a signal generated by the tracking signal g

Abstract: A device for handling instruments used in technical cytological examinations has a holder base with at least two separate and moveable holders each carrying one instrument and each being coupled with a drive for switching the holders between two defined positions, one of which is a working position and the other is a rest position. In the working position, the distal end of the instrument located in the holder is aligned during a technical cytological intervention in the region of cellular material which is to be treated. In the rest position, the instrument held in the holder is kept at a safe distance from the cellular material which is to be treated. The drives are coupled with each other so that, when activated, they switch the holders between their rest and working position, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for fast precise material processing and modification which minimizes collateral damage. Utilizing optimized, pulsed electromagnetic energy parameters leads to an interaction regime which minimizes residual energy deposition. Advantageously, removal of cumulative pulse train residual energy is further maximized through the rapid progression of the ablation front which move faster than the thermal energy diffusion front, thus ensuring substantial removal of residual energy to further minimize collateral thermal damage.

Abstract: The apparatus for combined mechanical/laser myocardial revascularization of a human heart includes: inserting a mechanical piercing device and an elongated flexible lasing apparatus into the chest cavity of a patient; mechanically auto-piercing, micro-tearing or spreading the epicardium of the heart; and then lasing from beneath the epicardium through the myocardium.

Abstract: There is provided a method of treating cancer. According to such a method, the affected tissue is irradiated effectively with activation light thereby obtaining an effect of the light treatment. The cancer therapeutic instrument used in the treatment method is equipped with a tube of which a tip is closed, a tip end of the tube being adapted to be inserted into a subject to be treated, and an optical fiber of which a tip end is adapted to be disposed slidably inside the tube.

Abstract: A system including a device for the coherent amplification of electromagnetic oscillations by induced emission through a solid element, crystals or glasses doped with neodymium, semiconductor diodes or liquids or gases, and a cable or optical fiber cable for conducting the electromagnetic oscillations emerging from the device in order to influence a biological system, especially a human body or an animal body 11. The cable 2 has an outlet opening 7 and the oscillations or beams emerging from the cable 2 are conducted through a solid element, a mixture or a liquid or gaseous solution 8 in order to influence the biological system 11. The solid element, the mixture or the liquid or gaseous solutions contain mineral, plant, animal or human extracts or products or else toxins as admixtures.

Abstract: An electro-surgical unit (ESU)-Argon beam coagulator pencil apparatus and method for operating the same is disclosed where the ESU-Argon beam coagulator pencil apparatus includes a telescoping device which is coupled to a cutting means, a coagulation means, and a smoke evacuation means. This apparatus enables a surgeon to vary the length of the cutting or coagulation means without interrupting the smoke evacuation means of the device. A locking means may also be included to lock the cutting and/or coagulation means at a desired length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the epidermis with actinic light includes a solid state diode system with a continuous output. The light beam is generated by either a high power light emitting diode or a laser diode or a combination thereof. A computer controlled pattern generator (CCPG) directs the continuous light beam to trace predetermined patterns on a selected area of the skin. This integrated continuous light source and patterned treatment technique obviate the need for high peak power pulsed systems, while providing sufficient energy density at the target site to effect hair removal and other skin treatment modalities. The moving light beam has a computer controlled dwell time to generate a relatively high amount of energy in a short period of time at the target. The optimum dwell time is about 0.5 ms to 500 ms, and the wavelength is in the range of 600 nm to 990 nm. The spot size is in the range of 0.01 to 10.0 mm and the treatment area is in the range of 0.01 to 100 cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A blood constituent monitoring method for inducing an active pulse in the blood volume of a patient. The induction of an active pulse results in a cyclic, and periodic change in the flow of blood through a fleshy medium under test. By actively inducing a change of the blood volume, modulation of the volume of blood can be obtained to provide a greater signal to noise ratio. This allows for the detection of constituents in blood at concentration levels below those previously detectable in a non-invasive system. Radiation which passes through the fleshy medium is detected by a detector which generates a signal indicative of the intensity of the detected radiation. Signal processing is performed on the electrical signal to isolate those optical characteristics of the electrical signal due to the optical characteristics of the blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for the photodynamic treatment of living beings or organs thereof which includes a light source, a switching device, a current source, and a computer. The light source is controllable with respect to intensity, time, wavelength, and/or spectral bands by the computer in order to obtain a predetermined spectral pattern (photon energy pattern), which is preferably a pattern sequence.

Abstract: An electro-surgical unit pencil apparatus having a removable shroud adaptably fitted over an external surface of a surgical pencil is presented where the pencil apparatus includes a conduit located within the shroud having a tapered portion surrounding the surgical pencil and in communication with the distal end of the shroud. An external conduit may be coupled to the proximal opening of the shroud and smoke evacuation means may be coupled to the external conduit for exhausting smoke from the shroud. The conduit includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a generally semi-circular shaped hollow interior, a handpiece holder located near a top outer surface of the conduit, and a nozzle member attached near the distal end of the conduit.