Abstract: The invention relates to a handpiece for a device for performing laser surgery of the nose. It comprises a handle having a proximal end 36 including means enabling it to be connected to a source of laser radiation, a distal end 44 at which the laser radiation is supplied to a work zone, and a transit region 31, 52 for passing the laser radiation from the proximal end 36 to the distal end 44. According to the invention, the transit region 31 has a main axis 32 and the handpiece includes a distal region 4 forming an open channel 52 having an outside diameter 48 that it enables it to be inserted in the nostril of a patient, the device enabling high laser power to be delivered without giving rise to hemorrhage.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting or sterilizing tissues of the oral cavity or a wound or lesion in the oral cavity is provided. The method comprises applying a photosensitizing compound to said tissues, wound or lesion and irradiating said tissues, wound or lesion with laser light at a wavelength absorbed by said photosensitizing compound.

Abstract: A combination handpiece and surgical laser tool is disclosed for use in laser surgery. The handpiece comprises a hollow body having an internal wall which is mounted about the probe of the laser tool. A layer which contains optical fibers is mounted about the internal wall with the fibers have outlet ends at the tip of the handpiece. A light source directs visible white light along the fibers with the light being projected in a pattern which illuminates a portion of an anatomical structure in a path about a spot at which the laser beam impinges. In one embodiment a handpiece is releasably fitted about the laser tool so that the handpiece can be detached and used as a flashlight to explore the wound. In another embodiment the optical fibers are formed into discrete clusters which are spaced about the circumference of the annular layer of the handpiece. Visible light can then be projected from the clusters in discrete spots about the laser beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in applying UV light to a blood vessel wall following the performance of a balloon angioplasty procedure. It comprises an elongated optical fiber whose outside diameter permits it to be inserted into the lumen of a guidewire that is used to position the angioplasty balloon at the site of the lesion to be treated. The guidewire is provided with a light port and a suitable reflector is provided for causing UV light transmitted through the optical fiber to be radiated in a radial direction through the light port in the guidewire to thereby irradiate the vessel wall with UV energy that has been found effective in retarding growth of smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: Laser energy is used to remove all the epithelium from a defined treatment zone on the surface of the cornea by focusing a laser beam on the epithelium and monitoring the vapor produced by ablation of the epithelium. The stroma is then sculpted to provide the desired refractive correction by dividing the ablation zone into a set of sub-zones and applying laser energy to each sub-zone in sufficient intensity for predetermined times to remove and reshape the surface of the stroma.

Abstract: An enlarging optical system having an objective lens and an ocular lens is received in a body of a microscope. A beam splitter is received in the body on an optical path of the enlarging optical system. This beam splitter is disposed between the objective lens and the ocular lens. A monitor television is also received in the body. An image obtained by an endoscope is displayed in this monitor television. The image displayed in the monitor television is reflected by the beam splitter toward the ocular lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously removing multiple hair follicles from a skin region of a patient. The method includes the step of illuminating the hair follicles with a large-area, optical radiation field by way of a transparent contact device proximal to the skin region. This allows portions of the hair follicles to be heated and then removed, while the surrounding skin region is left relatively free of injury.

Abstract: A stent in an implanted site is subjected to pulses of laser or sonic energy from external means thereby altering its physical structure without substantially altering or damaging tissue surrounding the implanted site.

Abstract: An angled beam-delivery handpiece includes a barrel for delivering a monochromatic light beam; a contact surface at the distal end of the barrel; a window in the side of the barrel proximate the contact surface; an aperture in the contact surface; and a refractive element in the barrel above the window for diverting the beam carried by the barrel to exit the aperture at an angle to the laser beam in the barrel.

Abstract: A disposable fiber optic sleeve for attachment at the forefront of a surgical instrument. The sleeve is an elongated tubular shape and incorporates multiple fiber optic bundles for transmission of visible light to enhance intraocular visualization. Additional bundles of optical fibers may provide for the application of laser beam and video transmission to intraocular tissue. The sleeve is constructed of inexpensive plastic materials and is designed to be disposable after a single or several uses.

Abstract: A device for effecting myocardial perfusion is described. The described device comprises a plunger or catheter disposed within a capsule having bulbous members having appended thereto slit needles which are capable of perforating myocardium. The plunger is spring loaded and, when activated, causes the slit needles to emerge from the capsule and excise portions of the myocardium, so permitting perfusion at such sites. Perforation of the myocardium may also be affected by means of a laser beam directed through the luminia of the needle. Use of the described device eliminates long post open heart recovery, and permits patients to return to a productive life shortly after surgery.

Abstract: A micro-keratome device for performing eye surgery is disclosed. The device is comprised of a vacuum ring, an applanation shoe and a cutting blade. The cutting blade and applanation shoe are mounted on the vacuum ring with the cutting blade being pivotally mounted to the applanation shoe so that movement of the cutting blade, while the vacuum ring is still mounted to a patient's eye, permits the user to have an unobstructed path to that portion of the eye exposed by the cutting blade. In a further embodiment, the device includes a guard, mounted at one end of the applanation shoe, which collects, protects and positions the previously cut portion of eye tissue.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method is provided for disrupting the targeted lesion in skin, such as is necessary in treatment of vascular or pigmented lesions. A microplasma is generated in a target region of skin, the microplasma disrupting the skin ("plasma ablation") to enable removal of the targeted lesion. The microplasma absorbs radiation energy and expands, creating high pressure in the surrounding region which causes disruption of the targeted lesion in that region. A beam of pulsed laser radiation can be used to generate the microplasma by properly controlling the peak irradiance, the pulse duration and the focal spot size of the beam. The invention enables use of a laser having small pulse energy. A synchronized laser beam scan device can be used to scan the beam to provide a highly efficient system for rapid skin treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a central area of an eye by lamellar lighting during eye surgery. Basically, a support fixture carrying a light emitter is adapted to be placed adjacent to the surgical field. The support fixture, when in place on an eye, directs light from the light emitter toward the surgical field tangentially to the cornea, at an angle of from about 0 to 45.degree. to the plane of the eye iris. The light entering the eye travels along the lamellae of the cornea in the manner of a light pipe. Very little, if any light reaches the back of the eye, avoiding patient discomfort, or is directed toward the surgical microscope as glare. This lamellar lighting combines scleral scatter and retro illumination. In preferred embodiments, the light emitter may be mounted on, or incorporated in, a conventional eyelid speculum or a fixation ring.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating veins. In the subject method, the skin is pierced with the sharpened tip of a fiber optic probe. The probe is advanced to a location underneath the vessel to be treated. Once in position, the vessel is irradiated with a treatment beam having a fluence sufficient to coagulate and collapse the vessel at that location. The procedure is then repeated at multiple sites along the length of the vessel so that it will collapse along its length and no longer carry any blood. In the preferred embodiment, a curved probe is used to facilitate the insertion of the tip under the vessel.

Abstract: A biopsy needle cauterizes the wound caused by the taking of a tissue specimen and the tissues in contact with the biopsy needle prior to withdrawal of the biopsy needle from a person, thereby minimizing bleeding and preventing the proliferation of any existing cancer cells along the path of insertion and withdrawal of the biopsy needle from the body. In contrast with existing biopsy needles, the tissue is excised by retraction of the stylet into the cannula, with the cutting edge being at the junction of the upper surface of the stylet and the front wall of the recess which holds the tissue specimen, rather than excising the tissue by sliding the cannula forward over the recess in the stylet with the cutting means at the leading edge of the cannula.

Abstract: A catheter uses a steerable outer catheter with an inner catheter rotatable and extendable with respect to the outer catheter. The outer catheter may be positioned within a patient's heart and a portion of the outer catheter may provide movement like that of a windshield wiper by manipulation of a spring. By combining the windshield wiper type movement with the extension and rotation of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter, a large area within a patient's heart may be readily mapped for conduction tissue and be subjected to laser ablation if appropriate. Various configurations provide flexibility in relatively positioning of windows used to apply laser energy and ring electrodes used to sense conduction tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for profiling a cornea of an eye is disclosed which comprises a topography instrument for determining the curvature of the cornea, a computer system for receiving information from the topography instrument for determining whether any areas of the cornea need to be ablated to correct for any abnormalities of the cornea, a diffractive optical element which is constructed based upon the determination of which areas of the cornea need to be ablated, and a beam of radiation being projected at the diffractive optical element for the diffractive optical element to modulate the beam of radiation and direct the modulated beam of radiation at the cornea for ablating the cornea to correct for any abnormalities of the cornea.

Abstract: A method and device for first irradiating a region of tissue with a radiation source, and then incising the region with a mechanical cutting instrument (e.g., a scalpel). Irradiation allows for effective heating of the tissue, which results in blood vessel contraction or coagulation of the blood before the actual incision is made; once the tissue is incised, the resulting flow of blood is low.

Abstract: A side firing fiberoptic probe has an optical fiber with proximal and distal ends and the cladding is removed from its distal end portion. On the distal end of the core is a transparent reflector of generally cylindrical configuration and it is of larger diameter than and coaxial with the core. The reflector has a planar face at its opposite end which extends at an angle to the axis of the reflector and core. Extending about and sealingly engaged with the fiber distal end portion and the reflector is the cylindrical body portion of a transparent end cap. The cap has a closed end spaced from the planar face of the reflector, and it provides an atmospheric interface between the inner surface of its closed end and the planar face of the reflector and about the unclad distal end portion of the core. Light rays passing through the core fall on the planar face in a generally circular pattern and are reflected thereby at an angle of 50.degree.-90.degree. in a generally conical beam through the reflector and cap.