Abstract: A laser system for reprofiling a surface comprising a laser and an erodable mask disposed between the laser means and the surface for providing a predefined profile of resistance to erosion by laser radiation, and control for controlling the laser such that upon irradiation of the mask, a portion of the laser radiation is selectively absorbed and another portion is transmitted to the surface in accordance with the mask profile to selectively erode the surface. The mask can be connected to the support structure and disposed in optical alignment with the laser means and the cornea. The mask can be directed integrated with the support structure or, preferably, a transparent stage can be formed as part of the support structure to support and position the masking lens. In one preferred embodiment, the mask is spatially separated from the surface and imaged onto the surface, thereby permitting the use of an oversized mask, which is easier to form.

Abstract: The arrangement of this invention concerns a surgical apparatus, in particular for ophthalmological use. In addition to a power beam it includes a beam of coherent visible light (29) which is transformed into at least one elementary beam (30) by means of a homogeneous light guide (21). The guide, which may be an optical fiber, is fixed to a rotating element (33) rotating about an axis (2). When the element rotates the elementary beam generates a luminous tubular beam intended to surround the power beam, the whole then being focussed by a lens to a point terminating a treatment cone with a predetermined vertex angle. The rotating element may include means for varying the diameter of the luminous tubular beam such as a transporter (39) bearing one end of the optical fiber and responding to the operation of a screw (45). The arrangement permits, on one hand to localize a point of treatment in the eye and, if necessary, modification of the vertex angle of the treatment cone.

Abstract: A motion sensor for use within an implantable medical device provides a digital output signal that can be connected directly to the digital processing and control circuits of a pacemaker or other device. This signal may be used to adjust the basic pacing rate of the pacemaker as a function of the physical motion or activity that is sensed. The motion sensor includes an enclosed housing having conductive element therein that partially fills the space of a cavity within the enclosed housing. The conductive element is free to roll, flow or otherwise move around the inside of the housing in response to external forces. The external forces that cause the conductive element to move include the physical motion of the patient as well as the force of gravity. As the conductive element moves within the enclosed housing, it makes electrical contact with at least two of three electrodes that are selectively spaced around the inside periphery of the housing.

Abstract: A hot tip device, typically used for melting and plowing through stenotic deposits in a coronary artery, is provided with optical diagnostic capabilities. The device includes an elongated, flexible member, a filter glass heating element attached to the distal end of the flexible member and an optical fiber extending through the flexible member and optically coupled to the heating element. The filter glass heating element absorbs a first range of wavelengths for heating and passes a second range of wavelengths for irradiating the artery through the filter glass heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible member is a steerable guidewire, and the filter glass heating element is heated by infrared radiation. Ultraviolet or visible radiation is used to stimulate fluorescence from deposits in the artery.

Abstract: A stimulation device for the determination of the temperature perception of the skin of a patient by means of a stimulator, which is arranged in a casing and which can be heated up or cooled down by a Peltier element. The stimulator (1) is arranged moveably along an axis (5) in the casing (4) and shows a projection (14) in relation to the casing (4) in the starting position. A first pressure device (6) cooperates with said stimulator (1) in such a way that said stimulator (1) can be shifted along said axis (5) by expenditure of force until said projection (14) is at zero. The force is predefined or adjustable by said first pressure device (6).

Abstract: Port wine stain treatment apparatus includes a pad supporting a plurality of diamond tipped needles. The tip of each needle is supplied with laser radiation and the tip acts to scatter laser radiation sideways. Thus, when the pad is applied to the skin, the tips penetrate the skin and when laser radiation is supplied the tips create a laminar radiation profile located below and spaced from the skin surface. In this manner, the cause of the port wine stain can be treated without the danger of disfiguring or scarring the skin surface above the stain.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser surgery, particularly of the cornea is provided. Through this apparatus, a laser, especially a UV-laser, can be imaged on the tissue undergoing the operation. A diaphragm is arranged in the optical path of the laser and defines the illuminated region of the tissue. The diaphragm includes a slit which has a fixed angular alignment and an adjustable length and width. Further, an optical rotary device is provided which rotates the beam about an optical axis in between the slit and the tissue undergoing the operation.

Abstract: A self-preparing electrode includes a conductive conical disk and a nonconductive plastic abrading brush removably interfitted through an aperture in the disk. The brush extends axially through the disk cavity to an abrading end of the brush disposed beyond the cavity at the large diameter end of the disk. The brush also extends axially through and beyong the aperture of the disk to a fused end of the brush which holds the strands or bristles of the brush together. An apparatus which fabricates the brush and assembles it to an electrode disk uses a pair of pressure roller to feed multiple strands from supply spools mounted in a supply rack, through input and output tubular orifices, to and through the aperture of the disk. A shuttle positions a fusing anvil in contact with the leading ends of the strands extending through the disk aperture for fusing them into a connecting bead.

Abstract: A control system for a laser catheter device wherein the control system is provided with means for determining the intensity of laser beam energy at two points, one of which is at the distal tip end thereof, and with the other being interposed along a transmitting column remote from both the source of laser beam energy and the distal tip. A beam splitter means(dichroic filter) is provided for diverting a first portion of the laser beam energy onto a first detector means. Energy passing through the beam splitter is ultimately directed onto a fluorescent member or device disposed adjacent the distal tip, with the fluorescent member or means being capable of emitting or generating radiant energy at a wavelength significantly different from that of the incident laser beam energy. The radiant energy generated by the fluorescent means is directed onto a second surface of the beam splitter means, and ultimately onto a second detector means.

Abstract: A laser system and masking apparatus for reprofiling surfaces, such as corneal surfaces. The system includes a laser and a mask disposed between the laser and the surface to be reprofiled, the mask providing a pre-defined profile of resistance to laser radiation, such that upon irradiation, part of the radiation is selectively absorbed and part is transmitted to the surface in accordance with the masked profile, to selectively erode the surface. The masking apparatus may consist of a mask to be affixed to the surface or may further include a support structure to support and position the mask above the surface. The resistance profile can be created by varying the thickness or the composition of the mask.

Abstract: A laser heated cautery cap assembly includes a catheter assembly adapted to be introduced into a lumen, such as an arterial opening. The catheter assembly includes at least one optical fiber connected to a laser light source adapted to produce short output bursts. A cautery cap at the catheter distal end includes a transparent substrate member disposed to receive the laser energy from the optical fiber(s). The substrate member preferably is formed of a crystalline solid having a smooth, curved outer surface, with a central guidewire bore extending therethrough. One end of the bore is provided with a tapering counterbore, and the opposite end of the substrate member is an input surface disposed to receive laser energy from the optical fiber. A nose piece includes a central guidewire bore coaxial with the substrate member bore, the nose piece including a tapered proximal end dimensioned to fit within the counterbore of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for ECG data review and analysis are provided. In preferred embodiments, a transformation is performed on beat data and the transformed data are categorized into beat "bins." The clinician/user may select sensitivity to vary the number of bins created by the system. Once beats are preliminarily assigned to bins by the system, the clinician/user may review beats by bin and reassigned beats as desired. In preferred embodiments, recategorization is accomplished by "dragging" a beat to a new bin with the aid of a pointing device or "mouse." In preferred embodiments, a superimposition mode allows dynamic review of beat graphs with automatic detection, color coding, and optional pause at abnormal beats. Audio information is also preferably provided to aid the clinician/user in detecting abnormal beats. A P-wave marker capability is also provided to give a constant reference point during beat review in the superimposition mode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy pulse emitter is disclosed for applying electromagnetic pulses in the frequency range of 2 to 16 hertz to acupuncture points on a patient. The device comprises a transformer and an oscillator for producing electrical pulses of the appropriate frequency and a pair of transducers to produce an electromagnetic pulse responsive to the electrical pulses. Each transducer comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil electrically connected in series thereto, and aligned therewith along the central axis thereof to produce a relatively linear pulse directed along the axis thereof.

Abstract: A method for reshaping the cornea comprises an initial step of determining the precise volume of corneal tissue which must be removed in order to attain the desired vision correction. A pulses laser beam, having a pulse energy density sufficient to cause photoablation of corneal tissue near the threshold of the plasma regime, is directed onto the eye for removal of relatively large portions of tissue from the precisely determined volume to establish a corrected surface. A pulsed laser beam, having a pulse energy density sufficient to cause photoablation of corneal tissue substantially below the threshold of the plasma regime, is then directed onto the corrected surface to take away relatively small portions of corneal tissue and thereby smooth the corrected surface.

Abstract: According to the method of detecting enterogastric reflux, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the gastric juice is measured at at least two wavelengths of the said radiation, one of said wavelengths corresponding to an absorption peak of a component of the bile and the other having a wavelength value at which the absorption is unaffected by the concentration of bile.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for partially modifying the curvature of the cornea of an eye while the eye is within the patient is disclosed. The device is able to ablate a zone of corneal material in the form of a lenticular lamina. The thickness of the lamina at any particular point on the cornea surface varies as a function of the radial distance between that point and the central optical axis of the eye. The surgical apparatus comprises: a source of light (31) capable of emitting a beam of light (4) having a wavelength which is about 200 nanometers; an optical system (32) for directing and focusing the beam of light onto the desired zone of the cornea in order to ablate a lamina of material of the desired dimensions; and, a series of diaphragms and screens for obscuring varying portions of the zone of the cornea undergoing ablation in order to effect differential irradiation of the corneal surface.

Abstract: A waveform generator for electrosurgical apparatus disclosed includes a MxNxP storage device and a parallel to series conversion device. For the storage device, M is the maximum number of different waveforms being stored, N equals the number of bits being output from the storage device at a time and P is the maximum number of N bits that can be stored for each waveform. An address counter selects the next N bits of the waveform and these N bits loaded from the storage device into the conversion device and output in a sequential or series output signal to drive the RF power amplifier of electrosurgical apparatus. The output signal has a bit rate N times faster than the storage device is accessed.

Abstract: The invention contemplates laser-aseptic phototherapy, for enhanced sterilization of an area of prospective surgical invasion of living tissue, by first administering, intravenously, orally or otherwise as appropriate, a photosensitizing agent having the property, in the course of an acceptable period of time, of selective concentrated absorption in bacteria and other microorganisms such as those which exist at depth in hair follicles, and then, following lapse of the time period, applying laser irradiation to the area of prospective surgery, using a wavelength and power density selected for absorptive response by the photosensitive agent, whereby microorganisms are destroyed at and beneath the irradiated area.

Abstract: Laser energy produced by a laser operating in the mid-infrared region (approximately 2 micrometers) is delivered by an optical fiber in a catheter to a surgical site for biological tissue removal and repair. Disclosed laser sources which have an output wavelength in this region include: Holmium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Ho:YAG), Holmium-doped Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (Ho:YLF), Erbium-doped YAG, Erbium-doped YLF and Thulium-doped YAG. For tissue removal, the lasers are operated with relatively long pulses at energy levels of approximately 1 joule per pulse. For tissue repair, the lasers are operated in a continuous wave mode at low power. Laser output energy is applied to a silica-based optical fiber which has been specially purified to reduce the hydroxyl-ion concentration to a low level. The catheter may be comprised of a single optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers arranged to give overlapping output patterns for large area coverage.

Abstract: A transparent shield for the electrode of an electrosurgical device. The shield is designed to prevent the spray of blood and splatter of tissue generated during electrosurgery from being deposited upon the surgeon using the device and is particularly adapted to protect the face and eyes of the surgeon against contact by such airborne fluids and particles. The shield is adapted to be mounted upon a wide variety of electrodes or electrosurgical instruments and may be curved for use with curved electrodes. The shield may also be curved in the transverse direction along its length to better confine spray and splatter.