Abstract: A laser energy delivery tip element for applying laser energy received through an optical fiber has a foraminous element disposed to receive laser light energy emitted from the optical fiber to be heated thereby. The heated portion of the foraminous element is disposed to be contacted to a tissue so as to heat and vaporize a portion of the tissue to form an incision. Suction is applied to the laser energy tip element to immediately draw away from the incision site any gaseous and/or vaporized substances generated during its use to apply heat, the sucked-away substances passing through openings in the foraminous element and around and outside the optical fiber, to thereby facilitate viewing of the incision-making activity.

Abstract: A catheter combination is described using a percutaneous transluminal transmitter for transmitting energy to a localized area. The combination includes a catheter having a hollow tubular member. A transmitter combination for partial insertion into the catheter includes a continuous central conductor terminating in a tip for receiving and transmitting a signal to the tip. A dielectric material surrounds at least a significant portion of the central conductor, and a continuous coaxial conductor surrounds the dielectric material for receiving and transmitting a signal to a point adjacent the tip to form an antenna for transmitting energy to tissue when the transmitter is placed into biologic tissue. A coating around the coaxial conductor covers the coaxial conductor. A signal generator is coupled to the central conductor and the coaxial conductor for applying a signal between the central and coaxial conductors to transmit energy from the tip of the central conductor.

Abstract: A closed cycle cryosurgical instrument having a mixed gas assembly that is mounted in a housing and also having a cryosurgical probe unit. By using special (or certain) gas mixtures as opposed to pure gasses, pressure reductions to .perspectiveto. or 1/4 of that required by pure gasses can be obtained. The use of gas mixtures with their attendant lower pressures allows for a closed cycle system since expensive and complex multi-stage compressors are not required. With the gas mixtures it is possible to obtain temperatures in the range of liquid nitrogen using a Joule-Thomson based system.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding surgical instruments such as retractor blades in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including an actuation means responsive to a control signal, a signal generating means which enables an operator to generate the control signal and which transmits the control signal to the actuation means, for causing the actuation means to move the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Smoke emitted during an electrocautery procedure may be removed from the environment of the procedure through the use of an electrocautery knife having an elongated handle provided with an inlet port at the end of the handle mounting the knife blade, an outlet port at the opposite end of the handle and adapted to be connected to available suction or vacuum, and an internal passage extending between the ports.

Abstract: A cylindrical diffuser tip for use with an optical fiber is described. The diffuser tip comprises a silicone core abutted to the terminus of the conventional optical core of an optical fiber, an outer layer of silicone plus a suitable scatterer, and a final cladding of plastic tubing to provide controlled stiffness or rigidity to the silicone diffuser tip while maintaining a flexibility comparable to the optical fiber. The tip provides a substantially uniform distribution of radiance along its length and is particularly useful for laser radiation treatment of tumors. The stiffness of the diffuser tip can be varied by choosing an outer tubing of varying wall thickness and durometer. The diffuser tip is useful for providing uniform cylindrical illumination of target tissue in remote areas of the body and is particularly useful in such areas as Photodynamic Therapy of tumors and atheromas and hyperthermia.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of aspirating vapors during laser surgery couples a vaporizing device with a source of vacuum. The apparatus includes an aspiration connector insertable into the vaporizing device and coupled to an optical waveguide disposed along a bore of the device. An aspiration pathway extends along with the optical waveguide in the bore of the vaporizing device forming a compact single passageway vaporizing device with aspiration capability. Vacuum control points are provided along the aspiration pathway to adjust the vacuum at an end where the vapors are formed.

Abstract: A probe carrying sensor means at its distal tip is supported centrally within a blood vessel by an introducer catheter. The introducer catheter includes a percutaneously insertable shaft which is configured to engage and be supported by the inner luminal surface of the blood vessel. The distal tip of the catheter shaft is disposed along a central axis of the catheter such that when the catheter is disposed in the blood vessel, the distal tip will be disposed substantially along that axis and substantially in the center of the blood vessel lumen. The probe passed through the catheter thus will emerge from the distal outlet orifice of the catheter into the blood vessel at the central axis of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A device for terminating a surgical apparatus such as a fiber optic catheter is disclosed. A fiber optic catheter having an outer body, an inner body disposed within the outer body to form an outer lumen therebetween and an inner lumen within the inner body, and optical fibers within the outer lumen is terminated at its distal end with a two-piece tip. An outer band of the tip has one end between the outer body and the optical fibers, while an inner band contacts the ends of the inner body and the optical fibers. The terminal faces of the optical fibers may be angled to increase the surface area illuminated or ablated by the fiber optic catheter. The inner and outer bands may be flared outwardly to increase the surface area affected even more. The inner body may also be extended beyond the terminal face to aid tracking of the catheter. The inner body and inner band may be eccentric to the outer body and outer band so that the catheter may be rotated to ablate a larger vascular area.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for manually manipulating a surgical laser beam is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a mirror nominally positioned at a 45 degree angle to the incident laser beam, a joy stick for manipulating the mirror, and a linkage interconnecting the two. The mirror is mounted to allow it to rotate about two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes. The linkage operates to direct the reflected laser beam in two orthogonal dimensions such that a ratio between the movement of the reflected beam in each dimension is equivalent to the ratio of the movement of the joy stick in each dimension. This yields a reflected laser beam that moves a distance proportional to the amount of motion input to the joy stick. The reduction or amplification ratio between the input motion and the reflected laser beam motion remains constant, regardless of the direction of motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing light at an angle provides an optical fiber with a bevelled end which internally reflects light or refracts light from the bevelled end at an angle to the fiber's axis depending on the bevelled angle. The apparatus also includes a cylindrical probe for surgical applications having a central bore and a cut-out in a side of the probe near one end. The cylindrical probe may have a sharp tip at the one end for penetrating tissue. The optical fiber having a bevelled end is insertable into the cylindrical probe. The bevelled end of the optical fiber is aligned with the cut-out in the cylindrical probe. Light transmitted through the optical fiber is directed from the bevelled end and through the cut-out to provide light at an angle to the axis of the fiber. A bevelled end plug is positioned adjacent to the bevelled end of the fiber. A housing holds the optical fiber and cylindrical probe and limits axial travel. An aspiration connector is coupled to the optical fiber.

Abstract: Pallet, especially a disposable pallet, consisting of two outer base members (1) and preferably at least one intermediary base member (1), which base members suitably are identical and consist preferably of wood or a similar material, the height of which suitably corresponds to the conventional pallet height and the thickness of which suitably is within the range 20-100 mms, especially about 25-35 mms, having two recesses (2) intended for the introduction of the forks of a forklift truck and a number of holes (3) distributed along the length of the base members and perpendicularly thereto and at a minor distance from the upper surface of the base members or touching the same and that the base members (1) are united with each other by tubes (4) running through the holes (3) to the formation of the pallet.

Abstract: An attractive, sturdy revolving shelf unit which provides for efficient storage space for books, magazines, or wine bottles etc. Each shelf is characterized by an L-patterned arrangement of vertical supports between shelves which permit efficient storage and provide strength. Methods employed in manufacturing the storage units provide for easy adaptation to different sizes of the storage unit and variation in the size of the L-pattern to accommodate different storage items.

Abstract: A coagulating scalpel including a cutting and coagulating element and a dissecting element. The dissecting element and cutting and coagulating element is positioned and configured and of such size that tissue to be cut can pass over or along a surface of the dissecting element and into the cutting zone of the scalpel. The surface of the dissecting element is adapted to permit substantially free passage of the tissue over or along the surface of the dissecting element upon movement of the scalpel.

Abstract: A laser catheter contains groups of optical fibers, each group forming a spiral pattern or radially straight lines, extending from near the inner wall of the laser catheter to the outer wall. The laser catheter is rotated about its longitudinal axis to ablate a target.

Abstract: Forceps used in handling laboratory tissue samples being embedded in paraffin are prevented from accumulating congealed paraffin by maintaining the temperature of the grasping portions of the forceps above the point at which the paraffin remains liquid. Electrical resistance heaters are attached to the forceps, and these are energized by an appropriate electric circuit.

Abstract: Liquid metal gallium-filled balloon catheter is connected to a source of heating power. An improved method of hyperthermia and ablation is made possible by ease of insertion and conformity to complex intracavitary geometry by liquid metal. Closeness of gallium melting point to body temperature makes insertion of solid gallium possible and subsequent melting after insertion. Method of balloon ablation of endometrium is described.

Abstract: A seat (1), in particular for vehicles, with foamed plastic padding (4, 5), has a supporting body (7) made of an open-cell elastic foamed plastic having a first specific gravity. A flame-retardant layer (12) made of an open-cell elastic foamed plastic having a second specific gravity different from the first and/or an upholstery material (14) is provided. An intermediate layer (9) is arranged between the supporting body (7) and the flame-retardant layer (12) and/or the upholstery material (14). The intermediate layer is non-flamable, and composed of a lattice or mesh of high temperature resistant fiber or threads, and/or liquid repellent. The supporting body (7) can be foamed on to the intermediate layer (9). A process for manufacturing the seat (1) is also described.

Abstract: An electrosurgical knife having an elongated knife handle of simple construction and inexpensive to manufacture has an opening at one end for accommodating an electrosurgical electrode and electric switches for controlling the application of current to the electrode. The handle is provided with a pair of grooves, one for optionally retaining an optical conduit and the other for optionally retaining a fluid-transporting tube. Both the optical conduit and the tube can slide in the grooves, allowing them to be readily adjusted to be adjacent the distal end of electrodes of varying lengths.The knife handle has an internal passageway extending the length of the handle for accommodating electrical conductors and a printed circuit board. The handle further has an enlarged section for enclosing a pair of push-button switches with exposed outer surfaces. Electrical connections may be established between the electrical conductors and the electrosurgical blade on the circuit board by operating the switches.

Abstract: An osteotomy device and method therefor, is provided that allows the surgeon to establish a reference external to the bone as to the position of the apex and angle of the wedge to be cut and then to make use of an integral saw guide to translate those references into the bone as saw cuts which precisely remove the required wedge of bone. Thus this device and method therefor would enable the surgeon to leave a sufficient amount of residual bone after making the cuts into the bone (for example of a wedge of bone) so as to inhibit the fracturing of the bone.