Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing fasteners from the body includes a pair of fastener removing members which are configured and dimensioned to contact the legs of a fastener to be removed. The legs are then forced apart so as to caused the fastener legs to deform to a configuration suitable for removable from the body.

Abstract: A lens exchanger for a laser surgical tool is disclosed. This lens exchanger installs easily between the coupler for the laser source and the surgical tool (such as a laparoscope). The lens exchanger protects the lens on the surgical tool from contamination by water vapor, smoke and debris. The lens exchanger can be configured to provide clear windows so the surgeon can conveniently switch to a clean lens during surgery as needed. The lens exchanger can also be configured with lenses that change the focus of the laser cutting beam, making the cutting spot more or less focused as required by the particular application.

Abstract: A corneal surgical instrument comprising a surgical knife and ultrasonic probe assembly that measures the corneal thickness, monitors the positioning and perpendicularity of the knife and controls the depth of the knife blade. The ultrasonic probe assembly includes a pair of ultrasonic probes disposed on opposite sides of said cutting plane of the knife blade. Information on monitored parameters is displayed to the surgeon in the display of a surgical instrument used to perform corneal surgery.

Abstract: A laser treatment device provided with a laser light source, a laser-light transmitting optical fiber for transmitting laser light output from the laser light source and a probe for guiding the laser light transmitted by the laser-light transmitting optical fiber to an object to be irradiated. Further, the probe is constituted by a laser-light guiding optical fiber separated from the laser-light transmitting optical fiber. Moreover, a cooling chamber for cooling the optical fibers is provided in the neighborhood of an output end of the laser-light transmitting optical fiber, from which the transmitted laser light is output, and an input end of the laser-light guiding optical fiber, from which the laser light output by the laser-light transmitting optical fiber is input to the laser-light guiding optical fiber. Thereby, a medical treatment of a deep part of an affected or diseased region can be achieved without worsening the state of the exit of the laser-light transmitting optical-fiber.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation catheter includes a distal, energy delivering electrode and at least one sensing electrode proximal to the energy delivering electrode. The catheter communicates with an electrosurgical generator which provides electrical energy, such as a radio frequency energy, to the distal electrode. The sensing electrodes communicate with a monitor for recording electrical signals within the heart. One or more resistors is positioned adjacent each sensing electrode, and in series with a conductor associated with the sensing electrode, to reduce or eliminate any current tending to be emitted through the sensing electrodes as a result of delivery of electrical current through the distal electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing luminal tissue is disclosed. The apparatus is inserted into the lumen of the organ and positioned adjacent an area on the organ to be sealed. Energy sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance is delivered through the lumen to the apparatus. The apparatus then directs the energy at the area to be sealed.