Abstract: Laser catheter delivery system for controlled ablation of atheroma, combining laser angioplasty and intra-arterial ultrasonic imaging. In laser ablation of atheroma, dosage and directing of the laser light beam represent critical problems, since accurate removal of the atheroma is required without damaging of the arterial wall.

Abstract: A fiber optical fiber fluid flow measuring device is provided for in vivo determination of blood flow in arteries. The device includes a fiber optical fluid differential pressure measuring device having at least one optical fiber sensor which optical fiber sensor is positioned in the blood flow passage in a restricted flow area. The fiber optical differential pressure fluid sensor is connected to a divided interferometer associated with an opto-electronic demodulator which has an output signal representing the differential pressure in the sensed area. The device also has utility in industrial applications.

Abstract: A method and system for controllably gas embolyzing a portion of a blood vessel is disclosed. The method includes providing an obstruction to the flow of blood in a blood vessel and introducing sufficient gas, preferably carbon dioxide, into the blood vessel at a location adjacent the obstruction to create a controlled segmental embolism in the blood vessel adjacent the obstruction. The carbon dioxide fed embolism clears blood away from a portion of the blood vessel to provide a blood-free area which can be easily viewed by a physician looking through an endoscope. The method is carried out with a catheterization system which includes means for providing a controlled obstruction to the flow of blood in a blood vessel and tubular means defining a channel for conducting sufficient gas into the blood vessel at a location adjacent the controlled obstruction to create a controlled gas embolism in the vessel adjacent the obstruction.

Abstract: A patient monitoring unit is used to follow the actual changes in a patient's weight during the course of a surgical procedure. A patients' fluid inventory is vital to the patients' well being and any significant additions to or losses in body fluids are very significant in the proper management of the patient during surgery. Real time changes in a patient's weight are monitored throughout the surgical procedure. A weighing system utilizing strain gauges or other transducers is built into the operating platform and the output from the transducers is communicated into a computer controller. Angle sensors are provided to measure the tilt at which the operating table may be placed thereby causing an apparent change in weight. The apparent weight change is corrected to the true weight. In the event various portions of the operating table are individually articulated, separate weighing systems and angle sensors are provided for each articulated portion.

Abstract: An endophotocoagulation probe has a probe tip adapted for insertion into the eye of a subject, and includes an optical fiber for carrying light, and a lens for focusing the light from the end of the fiber onto target tissue at a desired working distance. The lens forms a convergent beam with the waist of the beam providing a spot of maximum power density whose size is independent of the ocular medium. In a preferred embodiment a positioner provides selective variation of the spacing between the lens and the fiber to select a desired spot size. Preferably the lens is a selfocal or rod lens. A step-positioning handle selects one of a plurality of determined spacings, so as to achieve plural different spot sizes, each having a predetermined power density. Examples of probes having variable spot sizes in ranges from 50 to 500 microns are described with particular fibers and selfocal lens elements. A microprocessor may control lens position and light input power in accordance with the selected spot size.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic means for entering into a cardiac output computer a computation constant for a given size catheter. The technique involves the placement of a capacitor across the output terminals of a thermodilution catheter assembly. This capacitor does not effect temperature measurements. By means of software controlled switching in the cardiac output computer circuity, the capacitance of this capacitor can be determined and can be used to indicate the catheter size. Disclosed also is the process used to set up and identify the catheter gauge.

Abstract: A laser system for reprofiling a surface (18) comprising a laser (10) and an erodible mask (14) disposed between the laser and the surface (18) for providing a predefined profile of resistance to erosion by laser radiation, and a controller (22) for controlling the laser such that upon irradiation of the mask (14), 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 further comprise a rigid structure (30) which is affixed to the surface, in particular to the sclera of an eye, and a masking lens (36) connected to the support structure and disposed above the cornea. The masking lens can be directed integrated with the support structure or, preferably, a transparent stage (34) can be formed as part of the support structure to support and position the masking lens.

Abstract: A laser catheter for removing athereosclerotic plaque. The distal end of the laser catheter, in addition to including a distal port for dye injection and preferably a steerable or at least movable guide wire, includes a smoothly tapered forward face with a sapphire, ruby, diamond or the like window for directing a mid-infrared laser beam centripedally toward a targeted plaque structure. A mid-infrared laser beam, preferably a erbium YAG or HF laser, is conducted through the catheter to abate plaque. A second catheter, substantially identical to the first catheter can slidably disposed about the first catheter so as to provide a tiered laser catheter. Thus, the smaller catheter can target plaque in the most constricted regions of the vessel and can then be advanced into the smaller diameter region while bringing the second, larger catheter into engagement with a larger diameter packed portion thereby enable the irradiation, and ablation of the same.

Abstract: Physiological electrode elements are constructed of tin and stannous chloride. The tin may be provided in any of a variety of ways, such as a solid tin plate or foil, or the tin may be plated over either an electrically conducting or electrically non-conducting substrate. A quantity of stannous chloride is affixed to the tin. A suitable conducting medium, such as a saline gel, is placed over the stannous chloride to provide a conductive path for electrical current between the tin and the skin of a patient to which the electrode is attached. In a particular preferred embodiment, the tin-stannous chloride electrode elements are made considerably larger than conventional ECG electrodes in order to be able to convey relatively large amounts of electrical energy associated with stimulating and therapeutic applications, as well as providing low impedance to the passage of the relatively small signals associated with monitoring.

Abstract: A defibrillator cable is provided in two separate embodiments. In one embodiment, the conventional paddles and their associated leads are replaced by the present defibrillator cable, which includes a discharge control device in the cable. In the other embodiment, a paddle adapter module is provided to permit use of the conventional paddles with the electrode set of the present invention. This paddle adapter has a pair of conducting plates against which the paddles may be pressed to complete an electrical conducting path for the defibrillator signals. An audible alarm is provided to let the operator known when appropriate contact between the paddles and the adapter plates has been achieved, as well as to warn other personnel that a high energy shock is to be applied. The paddle adapter may also be provided with an ECG output terminal connected to the defibrillator leads and provided with high voltage protection, a low pass filter and a body tissue impedance simulating circuit.

Abstract: An improved laser heated intravascular cautery cap construction includes a generally cylindrical outersidewall, and a tappered, annular, distal end wall joining the two sidewalls and defining a closed annular space therebetween. A bore extending axially through the inner sidewall is dimentioned to receive in freely sliding fashion an arterial guidewire or other device such as a doppler flow sensor or an optical bundle for viewing. A unitary or multi-segment annular target element is received within the distal portion of the annular space, and is secured to the outer sidewall adjacent to the end wall with a gap defined between the target element and the inner sidewall. A plurality of holes extend through a connector member parallel to the axis of the sidewalls, each hole receiving therethrough one of a plurality of optical fibers extending through the arterial catheter to a laser light source.

Abstract: Transocular and periocular laser delivery system for treatment of eye diseases wherein a fiberoptic element is passed through a perforation made either by paracentesis of eyeball encapsulating tissue (i.e.-cornea, sclera) or by the fiberoptic element itself so that the fiber actually penetrates into a chamber therein. The penetrating fiber end is then juxtaposed to the tissue to be treated while the external fiberoptic end is coupled either to an excimer laser emitting ultraviolet radiation (in the range of 193 to 351 nanometers) or to certain lasers emitting infrared radiation, the radiated pulses therefrom being directed through the transocularly-positioned fiber to be absorbed by chromophores in the target tissue (cataractous lens, trabecular meshwork, vitreous membranes, tear duct occlusion) where removal by photoablation is effected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the curvature of a live cornea via use of an excimer laser. The live cornea has a thin layer removed therefrom leaving an exposed internal surface thereon. Then, either the surface or thin layer is exposed to the laser beam along a predetermined pattern to ablate desired portions. The thin layer is then replaced onto the surface. Ablating a central area of the surface or thin layer makes the cornea less curved, while ablating an annular area spaced from the center of the surface or layer makes the cornea more curved. The desired predetermined pattern is formed by use of a variable diaphragm, a rotating orifice of variable size, a movable mirror or a movable fiber optic cable through which the laser beam is directed towards the exposed internal surface or removed thin layer.

Abstract: A medication infusion device comprises a retainer for holding a medication-containing receptacle of the type which is actuatable to expel the contents of medication therefrom. A sensor is included for sensing a characteristic related to the amount of medication within the receptacle. A timing device allows the selection of the period of time over which the contents of the receptacle are to be expelled. A control mechanism, associated with the sensor and the timing device, actuates the receptacle to expel its contents at a controlled rate over the selected period of time.

Abstract: A device for modifying the surface of an optical element including a laser beam and a laser energy attenuator. The attenuator varies the energy distribution of the laser beam radially of the beam, thereby etching the surface of the optical element in conformance with the varied energy distribution. In one embodiment, the attenuator includes a positive lens-shaped portion with a laser energy absorbing material therein, which results in etching a positive lens shape on the optical element. In a second embodiment, the attenuator includes a negative lens-shaped portion with a laser energy absorbing material therein, which results in etching a negative lens shape on the optical element. End caps for each of the positive and negative shaped portions have planar outer surfaces and the same refractive indexes as those portions, thereby preventing refraction of the laser beam upon its passing through the attenuator. The attenuator can be cooled as it absorbs the energy from the laser.

Abstract: A disposable electrode set is provided in which a single pair of electrodes have the capability of transmitting signals for monitoring, stimulating and therapeutic applications. The electrodes have a metal-metal chloride (preferably tin-stannous chloride) structure to give suitable signals for monitoring, while also providing for the transfer of high energy stimulating and therapeutic signals. Transfer of the stimulating and therapeutic signals requires that the electrodes be formed with a suitable size and shape to accommodate the high energy signals. Each of the electrodes is connected to a plug, which is a part of the disposable set, by a suitable conducting line. The plug is standarized so that the disposable set can be connected to any one or any combination of the monitoring, stimulating and therapeutic devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening an osbstucted tubular passageway in the human body. A first catheter having a distal end dimensioned to pass freely along a tubular passageway is guided to the obstruction. A proximal end of the first catheter is adapted to extend outside the human body and is coupled to a source of coherent radiation. Coherent radiation is transmitted from the source to the distal end of the first catheter to permit the coherent radiation to be directed against the obstruction to bore a passageway through the obstruction. After a passageway has been bored through the obstruction, the first catheter is removed from the tubular passageway. A second catheter having a distal end dimensioned to pass freely along the tubular passageway, a proximal end adapted to extend outside the human body, and a peripheral elastic expandable zone spaced from the distal end is guided into the passageway through the obstruction.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus protective interconnect module including a casing having therein a chamber at one end and a socket at the other end for receiving within the socket an electrical apparatus having controls. A power supply is contained within the chamber and provide power to the electrical apparatus received within the socket. Connectors are located between the chamber and the socket for coupling the power supply to the electrical apparatus received within the socket. The casing encloses and restricts access to predetermined controls of the electrical apparatus received within the socket. The module further comprises externally accessible outputs for coupling an electrical signal output of the electrical apparatus, received within the socket, from the casing to external electrodes.

Abstract: An electronic blood pressure meter, equipped with the functions of computing at least a single relative pulse wave amplitude value in relation with a maximum pulse wave amplitude value, computing a blood pressure value from the cuff pressure when an amplitude of the pulse wave signal has coincided with the relative amplitude value during a change in the amplitude value of the pulse wave signal, and using the reference pressure value thus obtained in accordance with a certain arithmetic formula. If desired, a different process may be selected for determining a blood pressure depending on an initial cuff pressure. This electronic blood pressure allows a measurement to be completed in a very short time and minimizes the discomfort of the person whose blood pressure is to measured through reduction of the maximum cuff pressure. Yet the mathematical formula can be reduced to a simple arithmetic algorithm and is therefore easy to implement.

Abstract: The apparatus for electrical stimulation is more particularly adapted for the treatment of scoliosis and comprises an electrical circuit which delivers individual pulses having a duration of about 1 ms, an amplitude of about 150 V, a constant current intensity of about 75 mA and a frequency of 100 Hz as well as series of pulses with rising amplitude and a ramp up phase of about 2 s, followed by holding phase of about 2 s and a time off between two series of pulses of about 10 s. The apparatus further comprises three channels, whereby the first channel is applied on the side of the curvature, the second channel on the side of the counter curvature and the third channel on the abdominal musculature, whereby all channels are fed simultaneously.