Abstract: Performing selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous tissue by using a plurality of beams of narrow band electro-magnetic radiation, where each of the beams have energy that is insufficient to heat the tissue that they strike to a temperature high enough to destroy such tissue, but by directing the individual beams to overlap at the target sufficient heat is generated to destroy the target tissue.

Abstract: The thermal treatment apparatus is equipped with a laser generator for supplying laser beams, a laser irradiation unit for applying the supplied laser beams to tissues, and a control unit for totally controlling various parts of the system. The laser irradiation unit is equipped with a movable laser emission part for emitting laser beams to tissues, a motor for reciprocating a laser emission part, and a guide lumen for supporting an endoscope in such a way as to enable it to move in the direction of the laser emission part. The control unit controls the motor that drives the laser emission part to make reciprocation motion in such a way that the laser emission part stops at a position where it does not interfere with the moving passage of the endoscope.

Abstract: In a probe (10, 20) for laser treatment of uneven structures or deformations of a body, the laser devices (16, 20, 22) are arranged on a partially domed surface (18, 24) in order to cover the uneven structures. The doming has a smooth surface treatment, which facilitates sweeping in the probe over uneven structures. The probe includes a handgrip (12), covered with a material that increases the adhesion to a hand. In particular, the probe is intended for treatment of neurological and rheumatic disease conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a medical instrument and other articles adapted to be inserted into and removed for re-use from a human or animal body. A temporary coating of an oxidation-resistant material is applied to the instrument or part thereof to protect the instrument or part thereof over at least one sterilizing or disinfecting cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the structural modification of human tissue comprising collagen by irradiation of tissue with UV photons. The present invention discloses methods of altering the structural and mechanical properties of the tissue by treatment of the tissue with thermal energy and/or UV photons. The present invention further discloses an apparatus for the treatment of tissues with thermal energy and/or UV photons.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, or inlet port plug, may close an inlet port that is formed in a sheet of flexible material. The inlet port is adapted for mounting on an inflatable device and is shaped and constructed to receive and retain an air hose nozzle through which air flows to inflate the inflatable device. The inlet port plug blocks the inlet port when no air hose nozzle is engaged. Consequently, air cannot easily pass out of the inflatable device through the inlet port when the device is inflated or being inflated. The inlet port plug has a generally planar shape with coplanar extensions extending radially from a plug body. The inlet port plug may be engaged with an inlet port by causing at least two of the extensions to be received in the inlet port. When the extensions are received, the plug is retained against the inlet port.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A system and method of therapeutic treatment of an individual by applying a therapeutic modality to a plurality of therapeutic systems of the body. A plurality of therapeutic points of the therapeutic systems are stimulated and the body is therapeutically treated in response to such stimulation. Embodiments may provide applying at least one therapeutic light modality to each of a plurality of a plurality of therapeutic systems of an individual and stimulating a plurality of therapeutic points of each of the therapeutic systems. The individual is therapeutically treated in response to the stimulation. Embodiments may also provide applying a plurality of therapeutic modalities comprising at least one visible light modality and an infrared light modality to at least one therapeutic microsystem of the individual and stimulating a plurality of therapeutic points of the therapeutic microsystem. The individual is therapeutically treated in response to the stimulation.

Abstract: An automatic thermal therapeutic apparatus is disclosed. The thermal therapeutic apparatus includes an upper housing having a recess and a lower housing. A plurality of thermal therapeutic devices are positioned in the recess of the housing. Each thermal therapeutic device has a rectangular shaped body, a pressure member for pressurizing a desired portion of human body, and a lamp located beneath the pressure member in the body for emitting far infrared light. A controller controls all functional components. Lifting means for raise and lower the thermal therapeutic devices to a predetermined height during a prescribed time period based upon an output signal of the controller. The lifting means have a lifting member, the upper portion of the lifting means passing through a hole of the upper housing.

Abstract: A phototherapy device for a pressure pain point therapy or trigger point therapy includes one LED as a light source for therapy, and a projection portion projecting from a front surface of a case to be located along an optical axis of the LED. The projection portion is pressed against a user's body to search a pressure pain point or trigger point, and the LED is turned on after searching the point, so that a photic stimulation can be securely provided to the pressure pain point or trigger point with a clear difference between the point and a region around the point, to thereby easily carry out the pressure pain point therapy or the trigger point therapy.

Abstract: A laser system in which the gain medium is an excited YAP:Nd crystal. The system is configured so that the crystal produces a twin laser beam comprising wavelengths at both 1079 nm and 1340 nm with substantial intensities at each wavelength. Optical components are described which establish the desired ratio of the intensities of the light at each of the two wavelengths. These ratios, I1079 nm/I1340 nm, may vary from about 0.1 to 10. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a kit including a YAP:Nd crystal and a specially coated output coupler is provided for converting an existing Nd:YAG laser system to a twin light laser capable of producing the above described twin laser beam.

Abstract: A cryocatheter includes a catheter body defining a coolant flow path, a catheter tip exposed to the coolant flow path, and a heating element associated with the catheter tip. The heating element can be disposed entirely or partially within the catheter tip. Alternatively, the heating element can be exterior to the catheter tip. The heating element can include an electrically resistive element.

Abstract: A medical laser system is disclosed for generating a pulsed output beam of variable pulse duration and wavelength. The on time of the laser is the pulse duration which is generated by a Q-switch operated in a repetitive mode as a train of micropulses. According to one embodiment, a repetitively Q-switched frequency-doubled solid state laser produces an input beam which is subsequently used to excite a dye laser. An excitation source of the solid state laser is modulated to control the pulse duration of the input beam. The dye laser receives the input beam and responsively generates an output beam of adjustable wavelength having a pulse duration corresponding to the pulse duration of the input beam. The wavelength of the output beam is controlled by adjusting a tuning element of the dye laser. The dye laser is coupleable to a delivery system for directing the output laser beam to a biological tissue target.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus comprises a control unit 251a that stops issuing a signal for laser beam activation transmitted over the foot switch signal cable 291 when the temperature obtained by the mirror temperature sensor 111 that detects the temperature of the laser emission part 122 provided at the laser irradiation unit 1 exceeds a predetermined value. This stops the output of the laser beam from the laser generator 3. Alternatively, the control unit can adjust the output value of the laser beam generated by the laser beam generator 3 by transmitting a signal via the communication cable 293 to change it in accordance with the detection signal of the mirror temperature sensor 111.

Abstract: The invention concerns a probe for applying a high frequency electromagnetic energy flux on the skin through a mixture of conductive gel and a treatment product, designed to cause the treatment product to penetrate into the skin. The probe is provided with a non-conductive bearing surface (14), having a plurality of openings (6) around or in the proximity of which inductor elements (5) arranged in successive layers emit an electromagnetic field. The openings (6) emerge through an orifice (3) and contain the gel/treatment product mixture whereof the penetration into the skin is activated by the electromagnetic field. Advantageously, the probe further comprises at least one source of laser electromagnetic radiation (8) arranged inside or aligned with at least one opening (4) emerging in the bearing surface (14), so as to act jointly with the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the inductor element (5).

Abstract: The controller 6 in the apparatus 10 for thermotherapy automatically computes the power P of the laser beam and the flow volume Q of the refrigerant forwarded to the main body 110 as the therapeutic conditions required for effecting the thermotherapy. The controller 6 delivers control signals to the laser beam generating device 2 and the refrigerant circulating device 4, depending on the therapeutic conditions obtained as described above. The therapeutic conditions thus set are displayed on the monitor 7 together with the input information introduced into the operating part 8. The controller 6 is further capable of automatically computing the therapeutic conditions required for effecting the thermotherapy based on the minimum distance d1 and the maximum distance d2 between the laser beam emitting terminal 111a, namely the surface of the surface layer 21, and the target site 30.

Abstract: A light-emitting apparatus, such as a sun-tanning apparatus, has a housing enclosing a light source and other components, and a wall made of a translucent material through which light and other radiation passes to a user. The wall has a first surface facing the light source, and a second surface facing away from the source. To provide light scattering, so that a user does not see the image of the light source or non-light-emitting components, at least one of the surfaces, preferably the first surface only, has a surface structure divided into at least two areas which scatter light while still radiating a sparkling light. Each of these areas has a mutually different surface structure, preferably formed of a respective pattern of elementary structural shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating Barrett's tissue by removal of the mucosa through PhotoDynamic Therapy(PDT) is provided. A viscous gel is the medium used to carry the photosensitizer to the treatment site and allow sufficient time to transfer to the tissue. The gel's viscosity will allow it to adhere to the tissue for a sufficient amount of time to transfer the photosensitizer or sufficient time for a mechanical device such as an expanding balloon to press the gel into the tissue. The photosensitizer within the gel is activated by the corresponding wavelength of radiation. An extended multi-balloon system limits the area of treatment and localizes the spread of the gel. An endoscope with fiber optics may be used to view the operation. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus contains a catheter with at least two balloons, one to block drainage of the photosensitizer into the stomach and one to limit the height of the treatment area and to press the gel into the tissue.