Abstract: An apparatus (1) is provided for treating a target area (22) of a tooth (10). The apparatus (1) generally comprises a coolant delivery system (20) and an ultraviolet laser system (15). The coolant delivery system (20) delivers coolant (52) to the target area (22) while a light guide (44) focuses ultraviolet radiation thereon. The ultraviolet radiation (18) and coolant (52) combine to ablate a desired material without generating excess heat which may otherwise char surface tissue or cause thermal damage.

Abstract: A variable pulse width lasing device for selectively reducing the amount of laser energy provided during a surgical procedure is described. The device includes a central processing unit, a laser resonator, pulse width detector and a pulse modulator. The central processing unit provides a switch activation command to the modulator. The modulator also receives a laser pulse produced by the laser resonator which has an initial pulse width and a wavelength which is compatible for transmission through an optical fiber. The modulator varies the width of the laser pulse for providing an output pulse at a selected pulse width and energy level.

Abstract: An adaptor attachable to a laser apparatus and to a microscope for directing a laser beam from the laser apparatus onto an object in a working plane as viewed via the microscope. The adaptor includes an optical system located in the path of the laser beam for focusing the laser beam onto an object in the working plane. The optical system includes a number of mirrors. The adaptor also includes a manipulatable mirror located between the optical system and the working plane. The manipulatable mirror is selectively manipulatable to direct the laser beam to any desired location in the working plane. Further the adaptor includes a focusser coupled to the optical system that is capable of selectively focusing and defocussing the laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating drug-filled pockets within muscle tissue, such as myocardium of the heart for increasing angiogenesis. More particularly, the apparatus has an excising assembly with a dilator tip for penetrating and advancing through the surface and body of a muscle or organ, such as the heart. Preferably, the dilator tip has a low level laser optical fiber emission to ease the passage of the excising assembly and provide thermal damage which also stimulates angiogenesis. More preferably, the dilator tip also disperses a pharmacologically active substance as the apparatus is passed through the tissue and/or creates pockets. The excising assembly is connected to a hand-held control device from which the operator pushes a switch to activate a punching mechanism within the excising assembly. The punching mechanism cuts a discrete piece of muscle tissue and traps it within the excising assembly leaving a pocket in the remaining muscle tissue.

Abstract: A method for conducting laser energy to a site includes steps of bringing the proximal end of a flexible tube near the site, filling at least a proximal portion of the tube with a liquid by introducing the liquid into the tube, allowing a portion of the liquid to flow out from the proximal end of the tube toward the site, and directing laser energy from a laser energy source into the distal end of the tube, whereby a portion of the laser energy emerges from the proximal end of the tube at the site. Also, such a method in which the liquid is a radiographic contrast medium. Also, such a method for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel in an animal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for corneal reprofiling are disclosed in which a beam-swapping assembly is employed to redirect rays of ablative radiation passing through the assembly. Essentially, the beam-swapping assembly turns the beam profile "inside out" redirecting the inner most rays to the periphery of the beam while redirecting the outer rays at the same time to the center of the beam. The beam-swapping assembly can be used in conjunction with a beam-shaper, such as an adjustable iris or other beam-shaping device, to create convoluted annular ablation patterns of variable depth and, thereby, perform hyperopia and/or astigmatism correcting procedures.

Abstract: A method for treating a corneal abnormality. A marked corneal surface is formed by applying a pigment to an outer surface of the cornea over the corneal abnormality. The marked corneal surface is preferably centered about the corneal abnormality. Thereafter, the marked corneal surface is illuminated with laser light for a period sufficient to treat the corneal abnormality.

Abstract: The apparatus and the method of ablating matter from a substrate using a laser, an optical system, and a screen arranged within the beam path of the laser. A laser spot is formed which exhibits light and dark sections. By adjusting the screen before each laser pulse, the entire surface area of the laser spot is subjected to the same number of laser pulses.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus and method for treating open angle glaucoma in a human eye comprises thermally ablating a targeted region of the trabecular meshwork of a human eye by irradiating the region with a beam of pulsed laser radiation. The beam of pulsed radiation has a wavelength between 350 and 1300 nanometers, energy of 10 to 500 millijoules per pulse, and pulse duration of 0.1 to 50 microseconds. The beam is non-invasively delivered gonioscopically through the cornea onto a targeted region of the trabecular meshwork. The targeted region of the trabecular meshwork is illuminated at a spot size of between 50 and 300 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A method for performing concurrent spherical and cylindrical corrections to the corneal surface of the eye to reduce myopia and astigmatism. A laser beam irradiates the corneal surface via a variable diameter iris and a slot produced by a pair of translatable blades. The width of the slot and the diameter of the iris are varied as the laser is pulsed to produce a toric ablation of the corneal surface. Alternatively, the laser beam is passed through a succession of apertures in a tilted variable aperture element to produce toric ablation. The total number of laser pulses required to effect both types of correction is equal to the number required for the spherical correction alone, reducing the laser power and the procedure time. The toric ablation produces no steep end walls as with standard cylindrical ablation procedures, thereby eliminating hyperopic shift and minimizing flattening along the ablated cylinder axis.

Abstract: A beam profiler comprising: an intensity modifier constructed and arranged to separately modify the intensity profile of different subbeam portions of an initial beam to thereby create respective subbeams each having a respective predetermined modification; and a subbeam-directing optical system constructed and arranged to direct the multiple subbeams along respective subbeam beam paths that substantially overlap in an overlap plane, whereby, a resulting beam of radiation is created at the overlap plane that has an intensity profile equal to the optical incoherent summation of the predetermined intensity profiles of said overlapping subbeams. The intensity modifier preferably comprises an array of intensity-modifying profiling elements disposed across the initial beam each producing a corresponding subbeam.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for ablating body tissue employ an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods also include an element to cool the electrode. The systems and methods hold a tissue temperature sensing element in a carrier in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods include a controller that is coupled to the tissue temperature sensing element to control either the supply of ablation energy, or the rate at which the electrode is cooled, or both based, at least in part, upon temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element.

Abstract: A high-frequency treatment device for an endoscope has an elongated piercing portion. A sleeve-like first electrode is disposed at a distal end portion of this piercing portion. A bar-like second electrode is coaxially disposed within the first electrode. A sleeve-like insulative layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The invention includes the use of a beam homogenizer (scattering surface) at the input aperture of a tapered optical fiber to avoid hot spots (2) in the tapered section which would otherwise destroy the fiber (10).

Abstract: In an electric operation apparatus, a counter plate of a mono-polar type and a counter plate of a separate type are used to perform an electric operation. A counter plate connector connects a counter plate of a mono-polar type and a counter plate of a separate type. A first monitor is connected to the counter plate connector, and monitors the condition of the counter plate of the mono-polar type. A second monitor is connected to the counter plate connector, and monitors the condition of the counter plate of the separate type. A detector makes the first and second monitors operate on the basis of a predetermined operation procedure, thereby to detect the attachment conditions of the counter plates of respective types connected to the counter plate connector.

Abstract: An laser device for forming channels within an outer wall of a patient's heart which has an elongated optical fiber, a lens or probe tip secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and means to limit the penetration of the probe tip or lens. Preferably, an outer support sleeve is secured to the proximal portion of the probe tip and a distal portion of the optical fiber proximal to the probe tip. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil is disposed between the distal portion of the optical fiber and the proximal portion of the probe tip to ensure a better bond therebetween, particularly when the optical fiber has a lubricous fluoropolymer coating.

Abstract: Noncontact apparatus and method for preforming laser thermal keratoplasty capable of scanning of treatment areas with shapes that reduce regression. The apparatus includes laser sources, a projection optical system, observation system, and control system The projection system uses two steering mirrors to control laser beam position on the cornea. This projection system enables precise control of the area of corneal heat shrinkage using relatively low-powered lasers, such as diode lasers. Desired changes in corneal refractive power are produced by selected patterns of photothermal shrinkage of corneal collagen tissue. The selected patterns are arrangements of oblong shapes that are preferably tapered at the ends of the long axis. The oblong shape and tapering distribute tension in the cornea over a wider area of collagen shrinkage and improve the stability of refractive correction.

Abstract: A system and method of marking percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization channels in a human heart includes inserting a catheter system into the left ventricle of a heart, applying tissue ablative energy through the catheter to create a channel into the heart wall, and introducing an imaging medium to the heart wall proximate the channel for marking the position of that channel for imaging.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating body tissue use an ablation element for contacting tissue to form a tissue interface. The ablation element is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the ablation element into tissue at the tissue interface. The systems and methods include a tissue temperature sensing element held in a carrier in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue interface. A mechanism attached to the carrier selectively advances the carrier relative to the ablation element to different depths beneath the tissue interface. A controller is coupled to the mechanism and to the tissue temperature sensing element to control advancement of the carrier beneath the tissue interface based, at least in part, upon tissue temperatures sensed by the sensing element beneath the tissue interface. Preferably, the controller controls the mechanism to locate the sensing element at the depth where the hottest sensed tissue temperature exists.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a vein access, particularly on the human body, wherein at first the area of the skin surface (1) surrounding the vein access is disinfected, than the epiderm (3) is penetrated and the vein (4) opened and wherein finally a cannula part (5) is inserted in the vein (4). Further the invention relates to a device for implementing the method. Thereby the penetration of the epiderm (3) and/or the opening of the vein (4) are performed by a cutting device (6) operating with electromagnetic radiation.