Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.

Abstract: A personalized therapeutic compartment includes a horizontal bed for supporting a person to be treated, and has a shower system with a plurality of shower nozzles arrayed above the bed so that a person can have a therapeutic shower while lying on the bed. The shower system includes a water source which may be colored and coordinated with a light source on the interior of the compartment. A source of aroma is provided that suggests the color used for total therapy treatment. Additional therapeutic steam and dry air can be provided as desired. A method of treatment disclosed includes chromatherapy using coordinated colors and aroma and if desired requested colors for therapy of different portions of the body of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating revascularization of myocardium tissue in the ventricular wall of a human heart is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for moving the distal end of an optical fiber element forwardly through the epicardium of the heart and into the myocardium and emitting relatively low power bursts of laser energy from the distal end to form stimulus injury zones that promote capillary growth and tissue revascularization. Each penetration of the optical fiber element may produce multiple stimulus zones spaced radially from or in line with the axis of the optical fiber element. Apparatus for moving the optical fiber element and controlling the laser emissions in a predetermined manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to increase the accuracy and safety of ablative laser treatments of the eye. In an illustrative embodiment, tissue is removed from the cornea, via a laser, to provide an effluent from the cornea. The effluent is aspirated and deposited into a chemical analyzer. The amount of effluent that has been deposited is quantitated. Data relating to a dimension of the ablated cornea is inputted to a computer and data relating to the quantitized effluent is also inputted to the computer. The computer uses the quantitized effluent data and the inputted dimension data to estimate the number of diopters of treatment accomplished. The estimated number of diopters of treatment accomplished is compared to a desired number of diopters of treatment and the laser treatment is modified based on the comparison for most accurate optical results.

Abstract: A device and method for altering the refractive properties of the cornea by photodisrupting stromal lamellae involves focusing a laser beam within the stroma. To effectuate tissue alteration with minimal laser energies, the focal point of the laser beam is maintained inside the stromal lamella, rather than on an interface between layers of lamellae. To maintain the focal point inside the lamella, the bubbles that result from the photodisruption are measured using a wavefront detector. When a large bubble is observed, indicating photodisruption on an interface between layers of lamellae, the depth of the focal point, measured from the anterior surface, is adjusted to thereby resume photodisruption inside a lamella. A wavefront detector can be used to track the progress of the photodisruption procedure, providing information that can be used to update the amounts and locations of stromal tissue that must be removed to obtain the desired refractive correction.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user programmable combination of atomized particles allows for user control of various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may also be controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energy source parameters. Applications for the, cutting mechanism include medical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning) and any other environments where an objective is to precisely remove surface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cutting parameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. The cutting mechanism further does not require any films of water or any particularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllable cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus for corneal surgery to correct a refractive error by ablating corneal tissue with a laser beam emitted from a laser source and delivered onto a cornea of a patient's eye with a light delivering optical system, the apparatus comprising an irradiation area limiting device for limiting an irradiation area of the laser beam and for varying the irradiation area, a first control device for controlling the irradiation area limiting device so as to reduce an ablation amount as the laser beam irradiates further away from a flattest meridian of astigmatism whereby effecting astigmatic correction, a second control device for controlling the irradiation area limiting device so as to increase an ablation amount as the laser beam irradiates further away from a steepest meridian of astigmatism whereby effecting astigmatic correction, and an arithmetic device for dividing a refractive power required for astigmatic correction into halves approximately-equally so that an approximately half of the astigmatic c

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending from the proximal extremity to an opening at the distal extremity. The elongate probe member is provided with an elongate cutout adjacent the opening so that the elongate probe member is formed with an elongate extension projecting alongside the cutout beyond the opening. A guide canula is mounted in the passage of the elongate probe member and has proximal and distal extremities and a lumen extending therethrough. A radio frequency electrode is disposed in the lumen and an insulating sleeve is coaxially disposed on the radio frequency electrode. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity of the guide canula for advancing and retracting the radio frequency electrode and the insulating sleeve with respect to the guide canula and for causing bending of the distal extremity of the guide cannula into the cutout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in ablating hard and soft tissue and in particular, tooth, tooth enamel, tooth dentin, tooth cementum, bone, cartilage, skin, mucosa, gingiva and muscle, and preferably in the oral cavity, is disclosed. In operation, an electromagnetic energy source is applied to a target material producing thermo-elastic failure resulting in fracture or rupture of the material. When this point is reached, the energy source is stopped and immediately a fracturing fluid is applied to the lasing site with sufficient cooling power, solvating power, and momentum to not only cause further fracture or rupture of the material but also to remove debris from the site. The process is repeated until the desired ablation is effected.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.

Abstract: A nozzle and electrode combination for use with an electrosurgical device is described. The nozzle includes a shroud defining a channel and a lumen which intersect to define an acute angle. An electrode is positioned within the channel and includes a distal end extending from a distal portion of the shroud and a proximal end extending from the proximal portion of the shroud. An end cap positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the shroud about the electrode is preferably overmolded to the shroud and the electrode. Preferably, a portion of the walls defining the channel and/or the lumen include conductive material which communicates with the electrode to eliminate electric potential within the shroud.

Abstract: A method is provided of removing hair from the skin of a patient using a laser apparatus capable of producing an emission of laser energy in the form of a group of pulses having defined parameters, being a defined pulse group, and using an optical delivery system, which includes the steps of controlling the laser apparatus in each emission of laser energy to emit a defined pulse group of 2 to 15 pulses of coherent light energy; transmitting the defined pulse group of pulses of coherent light energy through an optical delivery system to the same spot on the skin of the patient; irradiating the same spot on the skin containing the hair to be removed with the defined pulse group of coherent light energy transmitted through the optical delivery system from the laser apparatus; controlling the laser apparatus in each emission of laser energy to emit the defined pulse group through the optical delivery system, the defined pulse group having 2 to 15 pulses at a wavelength in the range of 550 to 1200 nm, each pulse a

Abstract: A phototherapy garment contains a flexible backing material, a transparent liner, and a flexible printed circuit sheet containing surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned between the backing material and the liner. An infant is placed inside the garment so that the LEDs illuminate a large portion of the infant's skin for phototherapy. The LEDs preferably emit high-intensity blue light, suitable for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or Crigler-Najjar syndrome. The LEDs are arranged in a densely packed array facing the liner and emit uniform, high intensity light. A power supply, which may be portable, supplies adjustable power to the LEDs, preferably pulsed with a duty cycle of approximately 10%, and preferably to overdrive the LEDs to maximize light output. A two-way communications device incorporated into the garment allows a physician or computer to control the garment remotely and gather relevant information periodically or continuously.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system for delivering an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first guiding catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second guiding catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first guiding catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device such as a tissue ablation device, e.g. an optical fiber connected to a laser source, an ultrasonic energy emitting device or a radio frequency energy emitting device. The shaped distal section of the first guiding catheter is shaped or is shapable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: The laser irradiation apparatus 100 comprises: a long and slender main body 101; a rotating shaft 180 that is held, rotatably inside the main body 101; optical fibers 103a, 103b; multiple reflecting mirrors 181a-181f that are installed on the rotating shaft 180 and reflect the laser rays; and a drive unit 105 that drives the rotating shaft. Multiple reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f are located in different positions along the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the rotating shaft 180. The slanting angles of reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f move are set at angles that converge the reflected laser rays at a target area. The positions where reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f reflect the laser rays move along the axial direction as the rotating shaft 180 rotates. The vicinity of the target area is maintained at relatively low temperatures. In the meanwhile, the target area is heated to a specified temperature due to the convergent of the laser rays.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.

Abstract: Heat treatment apparatus for inactivating viruses in blood products includes a series of tubing coils with connectors at the opposite ends of the series for connecting the tubing to a blood product source and a blood product destination. The apparatus also includes a microwave heating chamber arranged to receive the first coil of the series and a cooling chamber adapted to receive the second coil of the series. Microwave energy is supplied to the heating chamber for heating the blood product as it flows along the first coil from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature and the cooling chamber is cooled so that the blood product in the second coil is cooled to a selected temperature appreciably below the elevated temperature. A radiometer circuit is provided for monitoring the temperatures of the blood product in the first and second coils to produce first and second temperature signals in response thereto.

Abstract: In a corneal surgery apparatus, a corneal shape measurement unit for measuring a three-dimensional shape of a cornea includes a measurement light projecting optical system for projecting measurement light onto the cornea and its convergent point is shifted by moving a focusing lens along an optical axis, a measurement light receiving optical system including a photo-detector for receiving reflected light from the cornea and its convergent point is shifted by moving a focusing lens along an optical axis, a scanning unit for shifting a projection spot of the measurement light on the cornea in XY directions and an arithmetic unit for performing arithmetic to obtain the three-dimensional shape of the cornea from a position of the projection spot, a result detected by the photo-detector and a position to which the focusing lens is moved.

Abstract: Disclosed are a laser irradiation method for laser treatment performed by irradiating a treatment part of a patient with a treatment laser beam and a laser treatment apparatus for practicing the method. The method includes the steps of: setting a shape and size of an irradiation area to be irradiated with the laser beam; determining a scanning sequence of beam spots based on the shape and size of the irradiation area set in the setting step, a spot diameter of the laser beam, and a predetermined rule; and performing laser irradiation to the beam spots within the irradiation area in accordance with the scanning sequence determined in the determining step, wherein the predetermined rule is a rule that the beam spots continuously irradiated with the laser beam become nonadjacent and scanning lines continuously irradiated become nonadjacent.

Abstract: An electrosurgery system includes an electrosurgical generator (10) coupled to or part of an electrosurgical instrument, the generator being operable to generate electrosurgical power in low frequency (typically at 1 MHz) and high frequency bands (typically at 2.45 GHz) either simultaneously or individually the generator includes a load-responsive control circuit which, in one mode, causes power to be generated predominantly at 1 MHz when the load impedance is high and predominantly at 2.45 MHz when it is low. This allows automatic switching between cutting and coagulation operation. In one embodiment, the instrument includes a gas plasma generator operating such that an ionizable gas is energized in a gas supply passage by the 2.45 GHz component to form a plasma stream which acts as a conductor for delivering the 1 MHz component to a tissue treatment outlet of the passage. (FIG. 4).