Abstract: A method for treating cardiac arrest includes defibrillating the patient and/or ventilating the patient and/or administering a cardiac arrest drug such as epinephrine to resuscitate the patient, and then cooling the patient using one or more cooling catheter positioned in the central venous system of the patient.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for use in surgical procedures is disclosed. The electrosurgical device comprises a main body having a proximal end and a distal end. A heat delivery modality is situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. A sensor arrangement is also situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. The heat delivery modality provides thermal energy to a tissue being treated while the sensor arrangement is configured to engage and detect a change in dimension of the tissue being treated. Accordingly, the electrosurgical device of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to precisely achieve the desired amount of dimensional change of the tissue being treated.

Abstract: An enhanced method and device are provided to inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A porous balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the porous balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon, as well as a portion of the cold working fluid, from the microporosity contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a device body defining a sealed fluid path having a first end and a second end, a refrigerant supply in communication with the first end of the sealed fluid path, and a vacuum source in communication with the second end of the sealed fluid path. Leak detection apparatus can be provided in communication with the sealed fluid path.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus for carrying out accurate electrosurgical cutting. A thin resilient electrode is utilized at the forward end region of an instrument which is deployable from a longitudinally disposed slot positioned rearwardly of the tip of the instrument. Lateral sides of the slot extend between a forward location adjacent the tip and a rearward location. The electrode is deployed by urging it forwardly in compression to form an arch profile supported by the abutting slot sides adjacent the forward and rearward locations. Electrosurgically excitable with a cutting output, the electrode may carry out a cutting action both during its deployment and retraction into the noted slot. This permits a pivoting maneuver effective for circumscribing a volume of targeted tissue.

Abstract: A soft laser unit is described with a housing and a skin resistance measuring device for localizing acupuncture points which contains a probe electrode, a measuring circuit connected therewith and a display device connected to the latter. The unit additionally contains a biostimulation or therapy laser unit, in particular for laser acupuncture, and an exit opening for the laser beam of the laser unit with a focusing optic is provided within the probe electrode, whereby in the state mounted on the patient's skin the laser beam focus of the laser unit comes to lie generally in the plane of the face of the probe electrode, i.e. on the skin surface. The soft laser unit can also be utilized in continuous operation as a so-called “laser shower”, without touching the skin, by fixing the probe electrode in the pressed-in state.

Abstract: Pump assisted vacuum therapy impotence treatment apparatus may be provided in either electric or manually operated embodiments. The axis of a pump housing affixed to a vacuum chamber via an elastomeric coupler is at an angle to the vacuum chamber axis, and turned towards a user's torso to be drawn into the user's body for better vacuum sealing. The pump cylinder of a manual embodiment has an enlarged annular rest area for receiving a resilient skirt around the piston head during nonuse of the pump. This prevents compression set of the resilient skirt, for more reliable subsequent use of the pump. The vacuum chamber is tapered and transitions from a relatively smaller round end for receipt of a male sex organ to a relatively larger oval shaped end for bayonet mounting on the resilient coupler. A pair of sizing inserts adjusts the vacuum chamber end which receives the male sex organ.

Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads.

Abstract: A relax refresh system is arranged such that a system control section performs a control of having a moving image track reproduced by a video CD driving section through an image/sound control section, the track including a modem signal recorded in a voice zone, control data are decoded by a modem signal decoding section from a code of the modem signal, the decoded control data are sent to the system control section, the video CD driving section is controlled through the image/sound control section by the system control section so as to reproduce the moving picture track, and the video CD driving section and a display device are controlled in their operation by means of data groups of the moving picture track preliminarily read in the system control section, in synchronism with the moving image track being reproduced, whereby the image and voice in accordance with a state of the user can be sufficiently provided to the user.

Abstract: An instrument for suction and electrosurgery has an elongate body molded of a polymer. A main flow passage extends through the length of the body. A hollow metal aluminum tube extends from the body and attaches to electrosurgical power and is in fluid communication with the passage. The tube extends from the body to the patient passing energy thereto. An open distal end on the body receives the tube on a shelf thereacross to engage and hold the tube. The shelf has opposed tapered camming surfaces and an edge axially spaced proximally within the opened distal end. The edge engages with a spade connector on an insulated cable coupled to the power during insertion of the tube to fold back the spade connector as the tube is received.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a disorder of a biological tissue in a mammal by stimulating the biological tissue with light having selected optical parameters. The apparatus has a power source, a central microprocessor with stored optical parameter protocols and wireless probes to receive the protocols and to generate and transmit the light. The invention also relates to a method for stimulating healing of a disorder of a biological tissue in a mammal by stimulating the biological tissue with light having selected optical parameters.

Abstract: A compact cartridge for an afterloader includes a housing containing a radioactive sourcewire and a dummy test wire, each accommodated in a helical groove on the periphery of a wire storage drum. The wires are contained in the grooves by low friction bearings, such as rollers, so that advancement of the wire from the drum is under very low friction conditions. The cartridge is removably inserted in the head of an afterloader apparatus and engages a primary drive system and an emergency retract mechanism mounted in the head. The cartridge also contains an electronics board with software for updating the software in the control electronics for the afterloader.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for cryosurgery. The apparatus comprises a cryoneedle having a diameter less than 3.2 mm. The apparatus is also comprised of a thermal insulation shell disposed about a portion of the cryoneedle for reduction of heat transfer from surrounding tissues or freezing prevention of surrounding tissues during application of the cryoneedle with the shell. The cryoneedle and shell are configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The present invention pertains to a method for freezing tissues. The method comprises the steps of bringing into contact a cryoneedle having a diameter of less than 3.2 mm with a patient's body. Next, there is the step of flowing the cryofluid through the cryoneedle.

Abstract: A clamping force mechanism and its method of use with electrosurgery allow a user to seal and/or join patient's particular vascular tissue; the mechanism is elongate with user and patient ends. An actuator is at the user end and the effectors are at the patient end. Each effector has a face of an area to contact the particular vascular tissue. A lost motion connection transfers user actuation to the effectors to hold a predetermined clamping force during electrosurgical tissue sealing. A yielding member in the loss motion connection clamps the particular tissue between the faces with a predetermined force. The yielding member is a spring, slip clutch or hydraulic coupling possibly near the actuator. An active electrode is carried on one end effector and a return electrode contacts the tissue so an electrosurgical energy supply connected thereacross delivers energy therebetween. A feedback circuit responds to parameters of energy delivered to tissue.

Abstract: The present invention an in vitro fertilization system for the receipt and treatment of an egg comprising a housing having a receiving chamber for the receipt of an egg. The system includes a holding chamber for nesting of the egg within the receiving chamber, and an apparatus for permitting treatment of the egg while the egg is held in the holding chamber. An arrangement is disposed in the housing to permit the egg in the holding chamber to be viewed non-microscopically.

Abstract: The flow of a biological fluid to an organ is computer controlled so that natural variation of such flow is simulated. Specifically described are control of a blood pump flow output during CPB to mimic normal pulsatile blood flow from the heart and control of a ventilator output To mimic normal breathing of healthy lungs. A pattern of variation over Time of instantaneous flow of a biological fluid to an organ of a mammalian species is established, a variable control parameter for regulation of flow of the biological fluid to the organ is generated in accordance with the pattern, and the flow of biological fluid is to the organ is controlled in accordance with the variable control parameter.

Abstract: An article such as a sole or a shoe adapted to contact the sole of a foot, which incorporates at least one crystalline substance which is capable of developing a color in the wavelength range between about 400 nm and 900 nm and stimulates the reflex zones located at the sole of the foot. The method of utilizing such article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to improve the probability for good health and decrese the risk of cancer and disease comprising: controlling the indoor spectral radiation environment partial body exposure in an amount above 0.06 MED, but not exceeding 0.2 MED per day by irradiating the body with an artificial light source.