Abstract: An electrosurgical probe is disclosed which provides the ability to both cut and cauterize tissue. The probe includes at least one cauterization electrode mounted upon a distal portion of the electrode and adapted to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. Further, a central lumen is disposed within the probe. The lumen is adapted to accommodate the flow of fluid from a remote source to tissue through an outlet port in the distal end of the probe. Also, the lumen houses a cutting electrode which is selectively deployable. Both cauterization and coagulation can be conducted in a bipolar mode. The flow of fluid through the lumen serves to limit the heat transfer from the cauterization electrode to adjacent tissue to an extent sufficient to prevent the sticking of tissue to the probe. In another embodiment the probe is adapted only for cauterization and does not include a cutting electrode.

Abstract: A surgical screw has a head being, at least in a portion, hemispherical. A smooth continuous join exists between the head and a shank of the screw, the head being of the same, or larger, diameter as the shank. To drive the screw a drive socket is provided concentrically within the head, and a cannulation is provided concentrically of the shank and it opens into the socket so as to allow the screw to be threaded along a guide wire or similar. The shank has a smooth or soft thread so as to provide an interlocking fixation of a bone end of a tendon graft within a prepared hole of a bone, but without damaging either bone structures. The hemispherical portion provides a smooth continuous curved surface over which a graft may flex and move without fatigue or suffering stress concentrations.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system. The spinal fixation system has a set of screw clamp assemblies adapted for attachment of a rod. The spinal fixation system comprises anchor screws and clamps. The anchor screws include a shoulder width "y" that varies within the anchor screws in the set to seat a clamp at a desired distance above the plane of the spine into which the anchor screws are implanted. The clamps include an arm length "x" that varies within the clamps in the set to attach the rod at a desired distance from the clamp seat site and apertures for receiving the rod within the clamps, wherein the apertures are set at an angle "a" from a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the anchor screw when a clamp is seated on the anchor screw that varies within the clamps in the set.

Abstract: A laser (e.g., excimer laser) and masking apparatus performs controlled sculpting of eye surfaces, such as corneal surfaces. The masking system includes a single/multi-layer (e.g., metallic) coated substrate (e.g., fused silica) with multiple openings in the substrate of desired size, shape and spacing to control the power transmission of a laser used in conjunction with the mask. The power transmission is controlled through the use of diffraction and absorption. The power transmission can be attuned to a particular surface by using topographical information of the surface in question. The surgeon can observe the topographical information and then pattern the openings (size, number, shape, spacing) so that reshaping can be done with greater intensity (using larger or more openings) to remove more corneal tissue in areas that the surgeon feels need more reshaping.

Abstract: A marrow nail engagable with a plurality of screws for securing the nail in a bone of a patient. The marrow nail includes a plurality of recesses defined proximate one end of an elongated rod. Each of the plural recesses is formed as a notch and is operably engagable with a respective one of the plural screws. A holding arrangement is disposed at the other end of the marrow nail rod and is implemented as a threaded assembly for facilitating movement of the marrow nail in the patient.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object to a bone-like structure, and a method for deploying the same. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs. The barbs are located in axially aligned, circumferentially spaced relation to each other about the body. Each barb is elastically deformable, and has a normal configuration which extends rearwardly and radially outwardly from the body to an outer end which is located outside of a longitudinal projection of the largest geometric cross-section of the body, as taken transverse to its longitudinal axis. A bore extends transversely through the front portion of the body and is adapted to receive a length of cord-like material, whereby the anchor may be pulled along a bone tunnel. An opening extends transversely through the rear portion of the body and is adapted for connecting the object to the anchor. A slot or interior passageway extends from the front of the anchor to the opening, so as to provide frontal access to the opening.

Abstract: This invention contemplates the use of a surgical laser device characterized by ultra-violet or infrared radiation to achieve controlled trabeculodissection in selected regions of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's Canal. The surgical laser is positioned over the corneoscleral bed for non-contact delivery, or, alternatively, it is inserted under a sclera flap with a contact tip and laser radiation is directed toward the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm creating an ultra-thin trabecular meshwork and Canal of Schlemm. The outflow of aqueous humor through the disected trabecular meshwork functions as a self-limiting end point to the surgery when the aqueous humor absorbs the laser energy.

Abstract: Suture anchor assembly for attaching soft tissue to bone. The assembly includes an elongated member having a self-tapping threaded portion at one proximal end, and an integral eyelet for receiving a suture at its distal end. The distal end further includes a receiver for a rotating driver device, such as a cannulated drill. The assembly is designed for endoscopic insertion of the anchor with the suture extending along the central axis of the driver.

Abstract: A sponge which is placed on the cornea for laser treatment to absorb unavoidable exuded fluids from the peribulber. This corneal sponge offers protectiveness, convenience and improved effectiveness of corneal laser therapy. The corneal sponge has a surgical space to expose the portion of the cornea to be treated, and is marked for accurate and easy alignment of the microscopic field. The corneal sponge contains a cool ophthalmic solution used to minimize inflammatory response which may cause postoperative complications such as corneal haze and inconsistent corneal refractions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a laser cutting scalpel for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered at an angle to the incident radiation source and tool. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. The device has a firing tip which has an insert with a highly polished mirrored surface lying at a specific angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Thus impinging laser radiation is reflected to the side and delivered at approximately a right angle to the fiber. The invention also features one or more cooling vents located in the firing tip itself resulting in a device less prone to failure during operation. The device can be positioned accurately with respect to depth of insertion of the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing and/or grasping lesions or incisions of luminal tissue is provided. The apparatus has a generally tubular assembly with portions which expand away from each other. The apparatus is inserted into the lumen of a tissue and placed adjacent the area to be sealed. The portions expand to contact the inner wall of the luminal tissue. Energy is delivered with a media through the expanded tubular assembly to heat the tissue to a nondestructive range where the tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance. The media delivering the energy is rotated in the expanded tubular assembly to heat different areas of the tissue without moving the tubular assembly itself. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, tubular portions of the assembly are provided which have side edges that slide toward and away from each other. The assembly is placed in the lumen and the tissue edges are inserted into the assembly between the side edge.

Abstract: An electro cautery device for attachment to a suction pump and to a source of electric current includes a tubular member one end of which is connectable to the suction pump and the other end is insertable into the cavity of a human torso. A retractable cautery element is mounted on the end insertable into the torso and connectable to a source of electric current. The cautery element is movable between a retracted position which prevents it from being exposed to tissue and an extended position used during cauterization. A button on the tubular member moves the cautery element from the retracted to the extended positions when depressed, simultaneously connecting the cautery element to the source of the electric current.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for the correction of astygmatism by modelling of the corneal surface by means of photo-ablation. A laser beam produced by an excimer laser is used, which is masked by a special mask (1) in such a way that, at each application, a pre-established surface of the cornea (3) is struck, from which cornea (3) a very thin uniform layer of tissue is removed.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object to a bone-like structure, and a method for deploying same is provided. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs. The barbs are located in axially aligned, circumferentially spaced relation to each other about the body. Each barb is elastically deformable, and has a normal configuration which extends rearwardly and radially outwardly from the body to an outer end located outside a longitudinal projection of the largest geometric cross-section of the body transverse to its longitudinal axis. A bore for engagement by a length of cord-like material extends through the front portion of the body. An opening oriented perpendicularly to the bore extends through the rear portion of the body. A longitudinal slot aligned with the opening connects the front end of the body to the opening.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery probe assembly includes a handpiece having a handpiece body and a hollow tip of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye, the hollow tip extending distally from the handpiece body. A laser connector is provided for connection to a laser source. A first optical fiber terminates at its proximal end in the laser connector and terminates at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting laser light from the laser source to an eye to be treated, the first optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip. An illumination connector is provided for connection to an illumination source. A second optical fiber terminates at its proximal end in the illumination connector and terminates at the distal end in the handpiece for transmitting illumination from the illumination source to an eye to be treated, the second optical fiber extending at least partially through the handpiece tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser beam angle delivery devices for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered through and at various angles to the central axis of an optical fiber by reflection off of a combination of surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a laser surgical tool comprises an elongate substantially hollow sheath having a pair of spaced apart axially extending guide members on a distal end and an attaching mechanism on the second end for ready attachment to a laser knife. The attaching mechanism is a grooved surface permitting rotation of the elongate sheath about its longitudinal axis which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the laser knife. A second attaching mechanism comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially inwardly extending protuberances which matingly engage corresponding dimples on the laser knife preventing rotation of the sheath about the longitudinal axis. For use with laser knives having a bent elongate center portion, the sheath includes a separately rotatable guide sheath tip for rotation of that portion of the sheath between the bend in the elongate center portion of the laser knife and the distal end thereof, including the laser lens.

Abstract: An arbor press staple and washer of the invention is for use in a practice of a surgical procedure for securing a ligament, that is either natural or prosthetic, onto a bone cortex surface and includes a staple having spaced equal parallel legs with a flat web arranged between the top ends of the staple legs. The staple is for driving into a bone cortex surface and includes barb ridges around three of its four sides for resisting staple withdrawal. The staple flat web includes at least one hole, that is preferably tapped, formed therethrough that is for receiving a threaded section of a threaded pin turned therethrough, and includes a pair of guide posts that extend, at right angles, from the web undersurface. An arbor plate type washer, that is a flat plate that has concave notches formed in opposite ends, is for arrangement between the staple legs, the concave notches sliding along the staple legs prohibiting washer rotation.

Abstract: Real time feedback control during photorefractive keratectomy of individually ablated rasterstereographically imaged corneal areas; totality of these areas sufficient in number to result in a postoperative optically smooth epithelialized cornea. Novel micromechanical laser radiation modulating device means together with high speed digital control using specialized algorithms enabling a feedback control cycle of 0.2 second.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable bone plate assembly (10) comprising a plate (12) and washers (14). The plate (12) comprises an first surface (16) for engaging the bone, and a second surface (18) opposite the first surface (16). The plate (12) additionally comprises a plurality of slots (20) extending through the plate (12), and a plurality of protuberances (22) projecting from the second surface (18) of the plate (12). The washers (14) each comprise a first surface (24) having a plurality of indentations (28) for engaging the protuberances (22) of the plate (12) when a washer (14) is selectively placed over one of the plurality of slots (22).