Abstract: A tissue retrieval apparatus for laparoscopic procedures includes a longitudinally extending tube having a tip end insertible into a patient. The tip end is formed to be radially expandable in response to withdrawal of tissue into the tip end of the tube. Tissue can be withdrawn into the tip end of the tube by using graspers or other devices that can be extended to engage and hold tissue. To reduce the possibility of contamination of healthy tissue, an elastic sheath is attached to cover the tip end of the tube. The elastic sheath is formed to radially expand in response to radial expansion of the tip end of the tube during withdrawal of tissue into the tip end of the tube.

Abstract: A laser treatment method is provided which removes pigmentations, lesions, and abnormalities from the skin of a living human. The methodology comprises a carefully controlled irradiation of the chosen treatment site on the skin of a living human; avoids the creation of cosmetically disfiguring scars; and eliminates the typical hypopigmentation as well as the pitting and other changes in skin texture normally accompanying conventionally known laser treatment techniques.

Abstract: An intra-vascular optical radial imaging system comprising an intra-vascular guidewire-compatible catheter, a source of illumination and a synchronous fluorescence detector. The catheter is inserted into a blood vessel until the tip is adjacent to a section of vessel to be imaged. A narrow beam of light emanating radially from an aperture underlying the segment to be imaged repetitively illuminates segments of the wall of the vessel in a scanning or sweeping manner with the light of a wavelength that induces fluorescence in molecules in the tissue. Fluorescence from molecules in the illuminated tissue enters the catheter through the aperture and is conveyed to a spectral analyzer. Properties of the fluorescence signal are characteristic of the particular tissue and may be used to differentiate healthy tissue from atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract: The chair of the present invention includes a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a modified nut or "cam guide" which is linearly moveable upon rotation of the power screw for selectively actuating the lift and tilt linkage mechanism for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. Rotation of the screw shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to the normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes sequential operative extension of the leg rest assembly followed by angular reclining movement of the chair. This sequential operation of the leg rest assembly and the reclining linkage are independent and may be easily disabled to selectively eliminate either of the features.

Abstract: A cryogenic scalpel comprises a hollow housing, a pressure source, a working portion connected to the hollow housing and having a heat-exchanger communicating with the pressure source through a piping, and a blade. The scalpel comprises also a source of electromechanical oscillations located in a hollow housing and establishing reciprocating motion of the working portion, and a unit for imparting electromechanical oscillations to the working portion, interconnected to the source of electromechanical oscillations.

Abstract: The process and apparatus for an autologous dermal graft transfer provides for the easy and accurate placement of dermal grafts during plastic surgery, typically for the filling of wrinkles or scars.

Abstract: A laser light irradiation apparatus used for medical treatment of tissues. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a probe, an optical fiber feeding laser light into the probe and a lead wire for detecting a temperature being inserted through and projecting from the probe. Then, the probe contains laser light scattering particles for uniform irradiation of the laser light against the tissues. Further, the probe is fabricated from a laser light tramissive synthetic material, and the fore end of a core of the optical fiber and the inserting part of the lead wire are in the synthetic material of the probe for easy molding for this apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic ovulation monitor is provided having a housing containing means for processing information, means which serve as a sensor to detect then transmit information to the means for processing of such information, and means for indicating the presence of a viable egg. The information which is processed includes values associated with mucous density, basal body temperature, pH level, and LH level. The information is processed and compared with data associated with the presence of a viable egg, such that if a viable egg is empirically indicated as being present, a visual display and audible component will signal such presence.

Abstract: A diffusion tip coupled to the end of an optical fiber for directing laser energy outwardly in a cylindrical or other desired radiation pattern. The diffusion tip includes a core, a cladding around the core and a jacket around the cladding. The cladding has an index of refraction that is lower than that of the core and has a thickness selected to transmit a portion of the laser radiation that is carried through the optical fiber so that laser radiation penetrates through the cladding and the jacket over the length of the diffusion tip. The thickness of the cladding is about the same as or slightly less than the penetration depth of the evanescent field in the cladding. The cladding can be tapered along the length of the diffusion tip to provide a uniform radiation pattern. The diffusion tip is particularly useful in a laser balloon catheter utilized in coronary angioplasty.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cryoprobe for the topical treatment of neoplasms by freezing. The cryoprobe comprises a plurality of stacked thermoelectric modules coupled to a distal treatment tip through a heat pipe. Heat is dissipated by a heat exchanger system. An external control unit is provided which serves as a source of DC power for the hand-held cryoprobe and contains a control system for controlling the thermoelectric element based upon temperature feedback from treatment site. Temperature feedback from the sensors facilitates freeze-thaw cycling by the cryoprobe to more effectively destroy the tissue at the treatment site.

Abstract: Materials and methods for photoreactive suturing of biological tissue are disclosed. The suture material includes a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site and has at least a portion of the structure formed by a photoreactive crosslinking agent, such that upon irradiation of the structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material. In one embodiment, the suture material can also include a high tensile strength element which is coated with a laser activatable crosslinking agent or glue. The suture methods can be practiced manually, or with various apparatus, such as endoscopes, catheters or hand-held instruments.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a carcass which includes a plurality of flexible rods arranged substantially as a corolla, and which are integral at one of their ends with a tubular hollow sleeve and at their opposite free ends with a crosslinked structure made of flexible material extending insider the corolla and of which the bottom is made integral with an appropriate traction member. The apparatus is designed for difficult deliveries of babies.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for wound debridement in which a pulsed CO.sub.2 laser beam is caused to impinge upon exposed tissue with individual pulses sufficiently energetic to ablate a thin layer of tissue. Each pulse has a time duration short enough to avoid deleterious heat penetration but long enough so that it does not cause atmospheric breakdown. The CO.sub.2 laser, with a wavelength in the far infrared region, is operated to produce a pulsed beam with individual pulses having an energy of about one joule per pulse or greater. The beam is focused to produce a beam diameter with a fluence of approximately ten joules per square centimeter at the tissue to be ablated and with a pulse repetition rate of approximately one hundred pulses per second and a pulse duration between one microsecond and ten microseconds.

Abstract: A surgical tissue coagulator includes an elongate, biocompatible, flexible tube having an open distal end and a proximal end. The tube has an external diameter of less than about 5 mm, and is insertable into and maneuverable within a surgical endoscope. The proximal end of the tube is connectable with a source of argon gas so that a stream of the gas can flow through the tube and exit the distal end of the tube. A flexible wire is provided within the tube for conducting radiofrequency (RF) current. The wire has a distal end for positioning adjacent the distal end of the tube, and a tungsten tip is provided at the distal end of the wire for discharging an arc of RF energy away from the distal end of the wire within the stream of argon gas exiting the distal end of the tube. The wire has a proximal end opposite the distal end thereof. The wire is connectable at the proximal end thereof with a source of RF energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to stiletted needles and has for its object to enable the removal of a stilette from the needle once the needle is inserted into a patient, with the elimination of jarring of the needle. This objective is met by a construction comprising a body member, a needle extending from the body member, with a bore of the body member co-axial with the bore of the needle, a stilette, extending from a hand grip for the stilette, there being pin means on the hand grip to engage slot means in the end of the body member, said slot means having at least one side wall forming a cam surface for engagement by the pin means.

Abstract: A catheter for vascular surgery includes a circular array of optical fibers therein disposed at the distal end of the catheter with each lightguide being separated by an elastically deformable member with compartments therein for receiving pressurized fluid. Upon pressurizing the compartments the diameter of the catheter expands. The optical fibers are bunched at the end of the catheter proximate the source of laser light where shutters are positioned for selecting only those lightguides at the distal end which are needed to remove blockages. By pressurizing selected elastically expandable members, groups of optical fibers can be isolated from the rest of the optical fibers and deflected toward the wall of the vessel in which the catheter is being used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for venting off a surgical laser smoke plume which is generated when body tissue is treated by an optical fiber lasering device, comprising an elongated hollow needle through which an optical fiber laser member extends for emitting a laser beam at the tip of the needle which is adjacent to the body tissue to be treated. A vent side arm has one end which is attached to the needle, and another end which is connected to a suction device, so that when body tissue is treated by the laser beam emitted at the needle tip, the resulting smoke plume that is created will be suctioned up into the channel between the optical fiber strand and the inner surface of the needle and out the vent side arm into the suction device. An O-ring is attached at the outer end of the needle so that any surgical laser smoke plume that is being suctioned out does not escape into the atmosphere or back to the laser generator, but also goes out the vent side arm and into the suction device.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding retractors and other surgical instrumentation in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including advanced sensing and regulation of retraction pressures and position; and incorporating a force amplification method to drive a locking mechanism in the supporting structure that utilizes a constrained, substantially incompressible, flexible solid material to yield a mechanism that is suitable for clinical use.

Abstract: A headrest with a closed frame consisting of a U-shaped support piece with the two arms of the support piece connected by a crossbar. Two stay bars designed for insertion in a backrest extend from the frame. The frame is covered by a foam-filled, hose-like, protective covering which leaves a central opening in the headrest. The invention also pertains to a method for producing a headrest of this type. The U-shaped support piece is threaded through an opening in the protective covering. The crossbar is inserted into the opening in the protective covering and locked between the arms of the U-shaped support piece. The space between the U-shaped support piece and the crossbar and the protective covering is filled with the foam.

Abstract: In the reclining apparatus of the invention(1, 21, 41, 61), the support member(2, 22, 42, 62), the seat member(3, 23, 43, 63) and the back rest member(5, 25, 45, 55, 75) are adjustably interconnected and the rod(11, 31, 51, 71) of the lock device(13, 33, 53, 73) is mounted on one of the support member, the seat member and the back rest member and fitted across another one of them. When a force is applied between the rod and the member through which the rod is fitted, all the positions of the above members are maintained.When a person changes the posture, e.g., stretches himself, on the reclining chair(1, 21, 61) or the reclinable bed(41), the lock between the rod and the member through which the rod is fitted is released and the positions of the support member, the seat member and the back rest member are re-adjusted. After the re-adjustment, when the person seats or lies on the chair or the bed, the rod is again firmly engaged with the member.