Abstract: A method for the treatment of wrinkles on human skin, by stimulating collagen growth beneath the epidermis layer, comprising the steps of: arranging a pulsed dye laser generator in light communication with a pulsed dye laser delivery device. The pulsed dye laser delivery device is applied against tissue having wrinkles. The pulsed dye laser generator generates a pulsed dye laser light. A pulsed dye laser light from the pulsed dye laser delivery device is directed onto the tissue, to reach hemoglobin in a collagen layer up to about 1.2 mm. beneath the surface of the tissue to effect growth changes therein.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method is described for laser acupuncture therapy. A plurality of diode laser modules, a self-adhesive holder for each of the modules, and a timer-controlled power supply are implemented.

Abstract: Method and system for imaging media having spatially varying dynamic properties or spatially varying optical properties. The method and system utilizes a diffuse correlation wave which is a function of the properties of the medium. The correlation is constructed from photons which create a speckle pattern which falls on a detector at a known position with respect to the source of the photons after the photons have interacted with the media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for, preferably, determining noninvasively and in vivo pH in a human. The non-invasive method includes the steps of: generating light at three or more different wavelengths in the range of 1000 nm to 2500 nm; irradiating blood containing tissue; measuring the intensities of the wavelengths emerging from the blood containing tissue to obtain a set of at least three spectral intensities v. wavelengths; and determining the unknown values of pH. The determination of pH is made by using measured intensities at wavelengths that exhibit change in absorbance due to histidine titration. Histidine absorbance changes are due to titration by hydrogen ions. The determination of the unknown pH values is performed by at least one multivariate algorithm using two or more variables and at least one calibration model. The determined pH values are within the physiological ranges observed in blood containing tissue.

Abstract: A thermal energy delivery apparatus has a probe including a distal end and a proximal end. A first electrode is positioned at the distal end of the probe such that the electrode is positioned on a recessed longitudinal portion of the probe. The first electrode is configured to deliver sufficient thermal energy to a fibrillated cartilage surface to reduce a level of fibrillation of the fibrillated cartilage surface. A cabling is coupled to the proximal end of the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for transcervical sterilization or transcatheter embolization with a controlled bipolar RF catheter for creating thermal lesions in the fallopian tubes or thrombosing vessels has a catheter elongate along an axis thereof with a patient end. The catheter is circular and sized for transcervical insertion into the fallopian tube or transcatheter vessel insertion, respectively. A connector on an end of the catheter opposite the patient end has the terminations for RF and monitoring and is shaped for the surgeon to manipulate during placement and withdrawal. Two or more bipolar electrodes on the patient end are placed so each electrode is spaced from another with each circumscribing the catheter. A mucosa or thrombus sensor responsive to applied RF energy passing between the two or more bipolar electrodes determines the condition of the transmural formation of a lesion or the thrombus between each of the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrocephalograph (EEG) method is provided to monitor patients during and after medical operations. An anesthesiologist administers sufficient anesthetics to cause the patient to attain the desired plane of anesthesia. The patient's brain waves, both ongoing and evoked by stimuli, are amplified, digitized and recorded. That pre-operative set of brain wave data is compared to a set of the patient's brain wave data obtained during the operation in order to determine if additional, or less, anesthesia is required, paying particular attention to the relative power in the theta band, as an indication of brain blood flow, and prolongations of the latency periods under brain stem stimuli, as an indication of the patient's ability to feel pain. A set of neurometric features are extracted, converted into a normalized statistical score, a discriminant score is thereby developed and the discriminant score converted to a patient state index using probability functions.

Abstract: A technique for evaluating the topography of a cornea in which a virtual object of a keratoscope pattern isured. The topography system includes a structured light source to create the keratoscope pattern or another diagnostic pattern, an optical assembly to focus the created pattern upon or behind the cornea, and for capturing the image reflected off the patient's eye and directing the reflected image toward an imaging system for processing. Light emitted by the light source is preferably not in the visible range, to minimize discomfort to the patient. Since the topography is evaluated with a projected virtual image, there is no nose or brow shadow, thereby allowing better corneal coverage. The optical system includes an aperture stop which is preferably conjugate with a point behind the corneal surface approximating the center of a normal cornea. Thus, wide angle capture is achieved as reflected rays reaching the imaging system appear as if they originated at the center of the cornea.

Abstract: Methods for determining invasively and in vivo pH in a human. The invasive method includes the steps of: generating light at three or more different wavelengths in the range of 1000 nm to 2500 nm; irradiating blood; measuring the intensities of the wavelengths emerging from the blood to obtain a set of at least three spectral intensities v. wavelengths; and determining the unknown values of pH. The determination of pH is made by using measured intensities at wavelengths that exhibit change in absorbance due to histidine titration. Histidine absorbance changes are due to titration by hydrogen ions. The determination of the unknown pH values is performed by at least one multivariate algorithm using two or more variables and at least one calibration model. The determined pH values are within the physiological ranges observed in blood containing tissue.

Abstract: Non-invasive measurements of physiological chemicals such as glucose in a test subject are made using infrared radiation and a signal processing system. The level of a selected physiological chemical in the test subject is determined in a non-invasive and quantitative manner by a method comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating a portion of the test subject with near infrared radiation; (b) collecting data concerning the irradiated light on the test subject; (c) digitally filtering the collected data to isolate a portion of the data indicative of the physiological chemical; and (d) determining the amount of physiolgocial chemical in the test subject by applying a defined mathematical model to the digitally filtered data. The collected data is in the form of either an absorbance spectrum or an interferogram.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for the inhibition of inflammatory diseases in biological tissue and a body part of user. The therapeutic device includes a body member having a work surface and a leading edge. A leading edge is positioned adjacent to the user so that the user extends at least a portion of the body part across the leading edge when working at repetitive motion task on the work surface. The therapeutic device further includes a plurality of lights for generating at least one beam of light positionable on the body part of the user when the user extends the body part across the leading edge. The light beam has a wave length and an intensity sufficient to inhibit the inflammation of the biological tissue in the body part of the user on which the beam of light is positioned.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling blood pressure wherein blood pressure is non-invasively monitored and an electromagnetic stimulus applied to a patient's baro-receptors responsive to the monitored blood pressure being above a predetermined value. The stimulation of the patient's baro-receptors has a blood pressure reducing effect.

Abstract: An electrophysiological sensing device, such as a helmet, that can be fitted to a living subject. The device includes a set of electrodes for detecting electromagnetic signals and inputting the signals to a processor. The set of electrodes includes working electrodes having at least one acquisition electrode in a selected position on the subject, and an additional electrode to be connected to the processor as a floating ground. An output of each working electrode is equipped with a first impedance adapter. A common electrical supply is provided for these first impedance adapters. A circuit capable of maintaining an intermediate electrical potential, dependant from the electrical supply, is provided at the electrical potential of the additional electrode.

Abstract: A device and an evaluation procedure for the depth-selective, non-invasive detection of the blood flow and/or intra- and/or extracorporeally flowing liquids in biological tissue are described whereby photons of a coherent, monochromatic source of light are entered into the tissue through a first area, photons reemerging from the tissue at different distances from this first area are detected with respect to their frequency and number, or intensity, and, from this information, i.e. frequency and/or number, or intensity, and/or reemerging location, conclusions about the relative modification of the flow amount and/or speed and/or location of the blood flow and/or the intra- and/or extracorporeally flowing liquids in the tissue are drawn with the help of an evaluation program or algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of a particular volume of plant or animal tissue by treating the plant or animal tissue with at least one photo-active molecular agent, wherein the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue retains at least a portion of the at least one photo-active molecular agent, and then treating the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue with light sufficient to promote a simultaneous two-photon excitation of at least one of the at least one photo-active molecular agent retained in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, wherein the at least one photo-active molecular agent becomes active in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue.

Abstract: A medical instrument, such as a cautery device, wherein bleeding is stopped or prevented by clamping the bleeding site with a dedicated forceps and using a highly localized heat source such as a fiber-coupled laser. The laser energy quickly and locally heats up the tip of the forceps cautery device. The tip of the forceps device has minimum thermal mass and is thermally insulated from the body of the forceps. In this present invention, there is no electrical current flowing through or into the tip of the instrument, and can therefore be safely used in any part of the body including around the heart or the brain. When combined with a small semiconductor laser, the device is battery operated, self-contained and hand-held, and can therefore be used in any environment including outdoors.

Abstract: A method of visualizing and treating the heart by providing a balloon end contact scope with a main lumen, an essentially transparent contact viewing portion, and integral laser delivery means or other equipment channel suitable for viewing the heart; precisely positioning the contact viewing portion in contact with a portion of the heart adjacent the position to be viewed; and visualizing the heart. The scope may have a gripping surface particularly suitable for percutaneous use. For MIS use, the scope tents the pericardial sac. The method can be used to place a guide wire or tether to the heart to locate a fluoroscopic or other visualization means or to perform additional visualization, fluoroscopic marking or other interventional procedures. The method also comprises the step of delivering laser energy to a portion of the heart to effect transmyocardial revascularization.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter capable of measuring cardiac output continuously, mixed venous oxygen saturation as well as other hemodynamic parameters. The catheter is also capable of undertaking therapeutic operations such as drug infusion and cardiac pacing. The catheter includes optical fibers for coupling to an external oximeter, an injectate port and thermistor for bolus thermodilution measurements, a heating element for inputting a heat signal and for coupling to an external processor for continuously measuring cardiac output, and a distal lumen for measuring pressure, withdrawing blood, guidewire passage or drug infusion. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes a novel lumen configuration permitting an additional infusion lumen for either fast drug infusion or cardiac pacing.

Abstract: A method of conditioning skin by passing electrical energy through a medical electrode and maintaining a desired chemical composition in the electrode by passing the electrical energy therethrough.

Abstract: A TMR energy delivery device is introduced through a first minimally invasive penetration of a patient's chest. Sufficient energy if delivered from the wave guide to the wall of the heart to form a channel through at least a portion of the wall. The device includes a visualization device or camera with a rigid portion and a distal end portion that is flexible, a cup member coupled to a distal end of the flexible distal portion, and a vacuum source coupled to the cup member for providing mechanical stability against the heart wall.