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 miniature surgical instrument (10) comprises a handle (12), shaft assembly (26) with an actuating linkage (L1, L2) movable freely therein and a distal working tip (30) with a shaft rotation sub-assembly (22, 24, 34) including multiple spring-stop pairs (40, 38) arranged in an annulus (44) around the shaft to receive cleansing water via an injection port (52) and/or through the handle and to pass it to the interior of the shaft via a port (12C) or past a seal (56) for flow of water in the shaft around the linkage and exiting in the tip vicinity to clear away surgical debris, the arranging allowing independent operation of the linkage, a lock (14) for the linkage and the tip rotation means. The arrangement prevents or minimizes debris accumulation in the first instance through its avoidance of a pressure differential from an insufflated body cavity to ambient air via the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for making a laser balloon catheter (10) having a diffusing tip (24) for propagating a uniform cylindrical pattern of laser energy. Included in the catheter are an elongated flexible tube (12) with an inflatable balloon (14) connected to the tube and means for inflating (16) and deflating (18) the balloon. A central channel (20) is disposed within the balloon and coupled to the tube. An optical fiber (22) with the diffusing tip at its distal end delivers laser radiation through the balloon to tissue to be treated. The method comprises the steps of etching the distal end of the optical fiber to form an etched portion thereof, cladding the etched portion with a medium which secures the optical fiber to the central channel, and microballoons which diffuse the laser radiation radially from the optical fiber, thereby substantially avoiding axial propagation and heating of blood forward of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A surgical trocar includes an operative sleeve adapted for disposition across a tissue barrier and an obturator removably disposed in the sleeve. A source of energy is introduced to a cutting element disposed at the distal end of the obturator for energizing the cutting element to cut tissue barrier. The distal end of the obturator and the distal end of the operative sleeve can be advanced through the cut tissue and the obturator removed leaving the sleeve operatively disposed for further surgery.

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 cause ablation 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. In operation, the ablation of eschar is achieved over a relatively wide range of angles of incidence without need for change of the beam parameters.

Abstract: A CO2 laser system which includes the CO2 laser unit, a microscope for receiving the laser beam and directing the beam to the infected area; a modified air cystoscope which further comprises a first primary member having a shaft portion with a continuous bore therethrough; a flare neck portion, and a handle member attached to the flared neck member; a secondary member, further comprising a primary shaft portion and enlarged cone portion, and a rear handle portion, with the outer diameter of the cone being of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the shaft member, so that upon being inserted into the shaft member the cone would protrude out from the shaft member and serve as a means for directing the shaft into the female urethra opening thus eliminating the blunt end of the shaft making contact therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus performs operations such as incision, coagulation and evaporation of the tissue of a living body such as human body with laser lights. An apparatus for performing a surgical operation of the tissue of a living body with laser lights while contacting a blade with the tissue of the living body comprising a holding portion which is held by an operator, a blade which is integral with the holding portion and is made of a material which generates heat on exposure to laser lights and can not transmit the laser lights therethrough, and an optical fiber which receives laser lights for emitting the laser lights from the front end thereof, said blade being positioned in such a manner that a part of said blade is located in the irradiation area of the laser lights from said optical fiber and said optical fiber being movable toward and away from said blade while said optical fiber is held by said holding portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for radiating high intensity energy at a subject for treating diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis and a method for using the same. A radiation source generating radiation at a predetermined output wavelength transilluminates affected tissues of the subject for a predetermined duration. The radiation source has sufficient intensity and is applied for sufficient duration to photolyze disease-specific antigens within the transilluminated tissues responsible for evoking complex immune response, thus reducing inflammation and disease progression.

Abstract: An eye stabilizing mechanism for use with a computer controlled ophthalmic laser system includes a base on which the ophthalmic laser system is mounted. A frame is slidingly mounted on the base, and the frame is connected to the base by a linear spring. A contact lens is fixedly attached to the frame and an object lens is slidingly mounted on the frame. An object lens activating device is also fixedly attached to the frame, and this device is connected to the object lens to move the object lens in accordance with preprogrammed instructions from the computer. Thus, while contact is maintained between the surface of the eye and the contact lens, the object lens can be moved by computer control to move the focal point of the laser system through selected eye tissue. Also, any movement of the frame, due to movement of the eye, is opposed only by the substantially constant force which is established by the linear spring between the base and the frame.

Abstract: A skin closure system includes an elongated bandage provided with a fabric layer formed of relatively thick, pliable material and a support layer formed of relatively thin, stiff material. An intermediate adhesive layer is provided between the support layer and the fabric layer for securing them together, and an exposed adhesive layer is provided on the fabric layer opposite the support layer. An elongated strip of backing material is retained on the exposed adhesive layer of the bandage and is removable from the exposed adhesive layer to allow application of the bandage to the skin.

Abstract: A surgical smoke evacuator synchronizing system includes a smoke evacuator system; a smoke or debris generating surgical device having a power cord with a plug for connection to a power source; and a monitoring system including a first receptacle for receiving the plug of the power cord; a cable connected to the first receptacle having a number of lines and having a second plug for connection to a power source receptacle; a current sensing loop for receiving at least one line of the cable; a detector circuit for sensing the current level in the cable; and a control device, responsive to a level of current in the cable, representing that the surgical device is operating, for enabling the smoke evacuator system and responsive to a level of current in the cable representing that the surgical device has completed operating for disabling the smoke evacuator system.

Abstract: A laser light irradiation apparatus used for medical treatment of living tissue. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a probe and a plural number of optical fibers. The optical fibers surround the axis of the probe. Laser light goes through each optical fiber and is applied to the probe. Then, the laser light is emitted from the probe to be uniformly irradiate the tissues, and if desired, against the tissues over a broad area. Further, a guide wire and/or a lead wire for detecting a temperature can be placed so as to be coaxial with the probe. Therefore, a perforation of a normal part of the blood vessel can be prevented.

Abstract: A chair includes a base, a seat, a back pivoted to the base and an inner shell construction connecting a cushion assembly to the back. The shell includes a semi-rigid, flexible sheet having a back portion shaped to support a back area of an adult user. The back portion includes a central area and an upper area. A plurality of ribs are formed integrally with the sheet to stiffen the central area of the back portion for lumbar support yet permit the upper portion of the back portion of flex for improved freedom of movement of the upper back area of the user.

Abstract: A cerebral instrument guide includes first and second arcs with aligned openings adjacent their ends, the openings defining a common axis about which the arcs are pivotal. The rods are mounted for movement along the common axis into contact with a human patient's auditory meati. A nasal bridge fixation element mounted on the first arc, as well as orbit pads, engage the bridge of a patient's nose, and his/her bony orbits. The appropriate angle to which the arcs should be pivoted with respect to each other is calculated by a computer program, as is the position to which a tubular instrument guide, slidable along the second arc and a projection from it intersecting the mid point of the common axis, is to be positioned to mark the burr hole on the patient's skull for performing a neurological procedure, such as a ventriculostomy. A needle is passed through the tubular instrument guide to mark the burr hole site.

Abstract: A diffuser tip for a fiber optic or array of fibers having a proximal end which abuts against the tip of the fiber optic or array of fibers. The diffuser tip has a cylindrical center core of transparent elastomer which contains scattering centers embedded therein. The scattering centers are distributed within the core so that the concentration of scatterers increases continuously in a direction from the proximal end of the diffuser tip to the distal end of the diffuser tip.

Abstract: A knife 10 comprises a blade holder 12, a blade 24 attached to the holder, and a protective member for the blade. Bias means 54 biasses the protective member into a first position in which protective edges 46, 48 thereof protrude beyond the blade cutting edge, so that the protective member covers the cutting edge. The protective member is movable against the biassing force exerted by the bias means, from the first position to a second position in which the cutting edge is exposed for use. First locking means locking the protective member in its first position, are also provided. The first locking means are adapted to release automatically the protective member on the protective edge of the protective member being placed against a surface to be cut and force being exerted on the blade in the direction of said surface.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and ablation system for introduction into a chamber of a heart formed by a wall and having a passage leading thereto. The system is comprised of a catheter probe having a distal extremity. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the distal extremity for mapping the wall of the chamber. An ablation catheter is provided having a distal extremity. The ablation catheter has control means whereby the distal extremity can be bent separately of movement of the catheter probe to come into close proximity to the wall of the heart. The distal extremity of the ablation catheter is provided with capabilities for ablating a portion of the wall of the heart to eliminate an arrhythmia in the heart.

Abstract: An introduction catheter set for a collapsible, self-expandable implant of the type comprising a number of spring-biased anchoring legs, e.g. a filter for entrapping thrombi or emboli into a blood vessel of a patient comprises a flexible external guide sheath and a flexible internal catheter slidably displaceable inside the guide sheath and having at its distal end a tubular end member, in which a retaining member is slidably arranged for releasably retaining the anchoring legs of the implant in defined angular positions in respect of each other. The retaining member is connected with a flexible displacement member extending throughout the internal catheter with the proximal ends of the displacement member and the internal catheter connected with a first and a second operating member, respectively.

Abstract: An electrosurgical loop comprising an insulated shaft with an electrical contact at its proximate end and a pair of extending insulated prongs at its distal end. The extending prongs are configured to give the loop a "Y" shape and each end of a thin wire are connected to each prong to provide a wire loop. Disposed over the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement is a depth gauge comprising a clasp, a longitudinal intermediate portion, and a transverse cross bar. The clasp may be retrofit to an existing electrosurgical loop and permits the removal of the depth gauge from the loop, if desired. The transverse cross bar is wider than the breadth of the wire loop and has a transverse slot oriented in the same plane as the wire loop through which the wire loop passes as the depth gauge is adjusted for various cutting depths. Disposed on the insulated shaft are markings serving as depth indicators to which the depth gauge may be moved slidably to effect cut depth control for the loop.

Abstract: A three-position incliner having a fixed back and side rail assembly with a seat and backrest mounted with a seat and backrest mounted for nonrestricted motion in the assembly. A linkage mechanism attached to each side rail supports the seat and backrest and the mechanism is handle actuated. The mechanism on each side includes a base plate attached to a side rail, a support link carried by front and rear pivot links in turn mounted on the base plate, a seat mounting link suspended from front and rear swing links in turn carried on the support link and a lazy tong linkage carrying a footrest and mounted on the seat mounting link.