Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating optical elements which utilizes reflected images. The method allows determination of the optical effects contributed by individual surfaces of a single optical alone or in a multiple element optical system. The method is particularly useful for evaluating corneas after transplant, grafting and reshaping procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for control contraction of tissue that includes collagen fibers. The apparatus includes a handpiece, and an electrode with an electrode proximal end associated with the handpiece. A distal end of the electrode has a geometry that delivers a controlled amount of energy to the tissue for a desired contraction of the collagen fibers. This is achieved while dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers is minimized. The handpiece, with electrode, is adapted to be introduced through an operating cannula in percutaneous applications. Additionally, an operating cannula may be included in the apparatus and be attached to the handpiece. The apparatus and method provides for a desired level of contraction of collagen soft tissue without dissociation or breakdown of collagen fibers.

Abstract: A pathlength corrected spectrophotometer for tissue examination includes an oscillator for generating a carrier waveform of a selected frequency, an LED light source for generating light of a selected wavelength that is intensity modulated at the selected frequency introduced to a subject, and a photodiode detector for detecting light that has migrated in the tissue of the subject. The spectrophotometer also includes a phase detector for measuring a phase shift between the introduced and detected light, a magnitude detector for determination of light attenuation in the examined tissue, and a processor adapted to calculate the photon migration pathlength and determine a physiological property of the examined tissue based on the pathlength and on the attenuation data.

Abstract: A handpiece for use in delivering the output beam of a laser to the surface of a patient's skin for performing a dermatological procedure. In a first and second embodiment of the present invention, the handpiece provides a highly collimated beam of a fixed, non-variable spot size which is largely insensitive to movement of the handpiece over a range of working positions. In a third embodiment the handpiece provides a highly collimated and well defined focused laser spot of variable size where for a selected spot size, the size is largely insensitive to movement of the handpiece over a range of working positions. In all of the embodiments, the highly collimated laser beam permits the surgeon performing the procedure to move the handpiece over a range of positions without significantly defocusing or altering the spot size of the beam.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for the quantitation and localization of tissue hypoxia by both time and frequency domain spectroscopy. The present invention provides several alternate embodiments of apparatus by which the saturation of a tissue region may be determined. In the time-resolved embodiment, a simplified system provides data which are directly proportional to the tissue saturation. In the phase modulating embodiments of the present invention, a first embodiment provides phase shift data which may be converted into saturation readings. A second embodiment, separates the real and imaginary portions of the signal and uses these data along with the data gathered from the DC portion of the signal to determine saturation. Methods of determining the hemoglobin concentration/oxygenation of a tissue region are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic blood pressure meter which determines a systolic blood pressure value and a diastolic blood pressure value by detecting a sharpest positive peak and a sharpest negative peak of a pulse wave, respectively, which may be extracted from a cuff pressure. The sharpest peaks may be detected by finding the points of intersection of the pulse wave level with a certain threshold level and finding the shortest time interval between adjacent points of intersection interposing a peak therebetween. Since the principle of measurement is exact and can be implemented as a relatively simple algorithm, accurate measurement is possible substantially without any exception.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser surgery on a cornea for correcting the refractive error of a patient's eye by removing away a part of the cornea by a laser beam.

Abstract: A method for performing a trabeculodissection comprising the steps of forming a scleral flap, determining the treatment arc of tissue located under the scleral flap, designating a number of discrete test areas along the treatment arc under the scleral flap, performing test ablations within the discrete test areas with a galvanometric scanning laser delivery system, determing the discrete treatment zones corresponding to the test areas, programming the galvanometric scanning laser delivery system based upon the results of the test ablations, ablating the tissue, and repairing the sclearal flap.

Abstract: An operating microscope has extensions on which are mounted neon lasers which focus beams through the focal point on the optical axis of the operating microscope. The beams produce two spots on an object when the object is away from the focal point, and a single spot on an object at a the focal point. Lightweight laser ring gyroscopes are connected to the operating microscope to determine spatial changes in the position and direction of the operating microscope and the focal point of the microscope.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for using quasielastic light scattering to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and analyzing light scattered from the lens, it is possible, using the temporal autocorrelation function, to produce a signature of cataractogenesis, accounting for scattering due to immobile scatterers. The components of the cataractogenesis can also be detected by comparing the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis to frequency distribution of the components taken from populations or by detecting changes in the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis as a function of time.

Abstract: The sensor is intended preferably for use in conjunction with a heart pacemaker whose stimulation rate is variable in dependence on the physical activity of the wearer. The sensor includes a mass of mercury which, in use, can assume a shape determined by the gravitational force and variable as a result of the forces applied to the mass due to movement. Detector means sensitive to the variations in shape generate signals which can be used as activity monitoring signals.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles. The tool mechanism may include grasping jaws having rounded, interdigitating teeth for grasping and securely holding tissue or organs for removal through a cannula.

Abstract: A sensor system that detects a current representative of a compound in a liquid mixture features a two-electrode strip adapted for releasable attachment to signal readout circuitry. The strip comprises an elongated support (preferably flat) adapted for releasable attachment to the readout circuitry; a first conductor and a second conductor each extend along the support and comprise means for connection to the circuitry. An active electrode, positioned to contact the liquid mixture and the first conductor, comprises a deposit of an enzyme capable of catalyzing a reaction involving the compound and (preferably) an electron mediator, capable of transferring electrons between the enzyme-catalyzed reaction and the first conductor. A reference electrode is positioned to contact the mixture and the second conductor. The system includes circuitry adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of the current. The two-electrode strip is manufactured, e.g.

Abstract: A thin, pliable mat to enhance visualization of corneal topography during rastostereography or videokeratoscopy. The mat is approximately 20 microns or less in thickness and constructed from hydrophobic material. In one preferred embodiment, the mat has a pattern etched thereon. In an alternative embodiment, a pattern is projected onto the mat. For rastostereography the pattern is a grid. For videokeratoscopy the pattern is concentric circles. The mat conforms to the surface of the cornea and the pattern is analyzed using conventional technology to determine corneal topography.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for ablating an object to a uniform depth by a laser beam. The laser may be an excimer laser, having non-uniform beam intensity of Gaussian distribution and like. Therefore the laser beam is scanned to the non-uniform intensity distribution and irradiated on the surface of the objection, whereby uniform depth of ablation is achieved. The apparatus is preferably applied to the operation of the cornea.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an inventory of disposable elements adapted for selective placement in the path of laser-beam delivery to the cornea. Each of the disposable elements carries a membrane which is opaque to the laser beam and which is designedly subject to ablation when exposed to the laser beam, the thickness of the membrane being a precharacterized function of local area such that a given laser-beam course of exposure will require greater or lesser time to locally ablate the membrane and thus permit laser-beam exposure past the membrane and into correspondingly localized ablating impingement with the cornea. Stated in other words, varying-spot size at the cornea is achieved by a time-release function of the membrane, on a predetermined area-controlled basis that is designed to achieve the diopter change specifically identified with each particular selectable element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus as disclosed for shaping the cornea of a patient's eye such that the epithelial tissue of the patient's cornea is shaped into a preliminary shape, corresponding to a desired final stromal shape, using photoablative radiation, and then the preliminary shape of the epithelial tissue is transferred into the stromal tissue of the cornea using photoablative radiation, thereby shaping the cornea into the desired final stromal shape. The epithelium may be shaped using an erodible mask with a predefined profile of resistance to erosion, or by a graded intensity filter, or by selectively varying the dimension of an aperture that controls the area of the epithelial surface irradiated by the photoablative laser radiation or by other mechanisms that selectively expose regions of the epithelium, or by a scanning laser beam. The epithelium may also be shaped, without using an aperture or a mask, by using a beam of photoablative radiation with substantially uniform intensity distribution.

Abstract: A shapeable optical fiber apparatus includes an optical fiber, a support structure secured over a distal end portion of the optical fiber, and terminates in a lens at its distal end. The transition area between the lens and optical fiber is reinforced with a sleeve that is adhesively bonded to the lens and fiber. The shapeable optical fiber apparatus may be carried within an inflatable balloon dilation catheter, which may be used for balloon angioplasty after a laser cutting procedure using the shapeable optical fiber apparatus to remove a portion of stenosis in the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for photodynamic therapy of a dermal lesion located at a dermal treatment site on skin including the stratum corneum, transparent hydrogel for covering the dermal treatment site and containing hydration agent and photopharmaceutical, the transparent hydrogel couples the hydration agent to the stratum corneum to hydrate and soften the stratum corneum to enhance its optical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission of light therethrough and to enhance its chemical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission therethrough of the photopharmaceutical for treatment of the dermal lesion; and light delivery means are included for delivering light through the transparent hydrogel and the hydrated stratum corneum to photoactivate the photopharmaceutical to treat the dermal lesion.