Abstract: Accurate, non-mechanical removal of the epithelium from essentially only the area of the cornea to be treated. In particular, an epithelium-ablative laser device irradiates the selected region of the epithelium with ablative laser energy, a spectroscopic system monitors the ablation and spectroscopically determines whether epithelium is being ablated, and a control system terminates the epithelium removal upon spectroscopic determination of a substantial absence of epithelium ablation.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object within a tunnel extending through a workpiece such as a bone or a bone-like structure, and a method for using the same. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs located in circumferentially spaced relation about the body. The barbs are formed of a material which may be elastically deformed from a normal configuration wherein the outer ends of the barbs extend radially outwardly of the body toward a configuration wherein the barbs are located generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. A diametrical opening in the front portion of the anchor is provided for engagement by a length of cord-like material such that the anchor may be pulled into a bone tunnel, and an opening in the rear portion of the anchor is provided for attaching either a ligament, tendon or the like to the anchor, or for grasping a bone plug or similar rigid object attached to a free end of the ligament, tendon or the like.

Abstract: Method for fusing bone. The present invention is a method for joining hard tissue which includes chemically removing the mineral matrix from a thin layer of the surfaces to be joined, placing the two bones together, and heating the joint using electromagnetic radiation. The goal of the method is not to produce a full-strength weld of, for example, a cortical bone of the tibia, but rather to produce a weld of sufficient strength to hold the bone halves in registration while either external fixative devices are applied to stabilize the bone segments, or normal healing processes restore full strength to the tibia.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser 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 a fiber optic waveguide by an internally reflective surface. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. A novel method for coagulating and then vaporizing or otherwise removing the coagulated tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for generating deep coagulation necrosis as well as surface vaporization in the site of a body cavity. The device provides means for delivering laser energy from the side of the device while providing localized irrigation at its laser delivery port. Laser energy is delivered from a fiberoptic that is bent at its distal end and placed in a catheter body which includes an irrigation channel that terminates at the distal end of that fiberoptic. Deep coagulation necrosis is achieved by: a) placement under endoscopic guidance of the device in the body cavity, b) delivering a predetermined dose of laser energy to target tissue, and c) rotating the device continuously during laser delivery, with at least one revolution in one direction. After the coagulation session has been completed, a detachable heat-generating cap may be mounted at the distal end of the catheter in order to convert the direct laser energy into controlled thermal energy at the surface of that cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser beam angle delivery devices for use in medical procedures such as a laser assisted transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other applications, and more particularly, to such devices wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered through and at various angles to the central axis of an optical fiber by refraction or reflection off of a reflective insert or other reflective layer placed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the tip of the optical fiber, the tip assembly being encased by a quartz or other transparent material cap, the transparent cap being held secusely in place by an attachment means.

Abstract: A laser beam ophthalmological surgery method includes the steps of generating a laser beam and splitting the generated laser beam into multiple laser beams which are simultaneously focused onto a plurality of scanners. Each scanner in turn produces a predetermined scanning pattern focused on the cornea of a patient's eye to ablate the cornea tissue and with at least two beams simultaneously scanning and ablating the cornea tissue. Scanning is controlled from a central processing unit to perform the surgical procedure, removing a laser thickness of the cornea tissue to provide a safer and more predictable surgical procedure in the reshaping of the cornea.

Abstract: An improved device for delivery of photoenergy from a light source, such as a laser, into a uterine cavity for photodynamic therapy is comprised of a plurality of optic fibers, which are bundled together and inserted into the uterine cavity by means of a uterine cannula. The cannula is positioned within the uterine cavity at a preferred location and then withdrawn thereby allowing the plurality of optic fibers to splay or diverge one from the other within the cavity. Different portions of the distal tip of the optic fiber is provided with a light diffusing tip, the remainder being provided with a nondiffusing tip portion. The fiber optic shape, as well as the segment which is permitted to actively diffuse light through the tip, is selected in order to provide a more uniform exposure intensity of the photo energy or at least sufficient radiation directed to each segment of the uterine walls.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises an assembly having at least two anchors and an elongated stabilizer. The anchors each have means to hold the anchor to the bone, and include receiving means which receive the stabilizer as well as securing means which cooperate with the receiving means by means of the interaction of mating threads to cause the application of compression on the stabilizer into the receiving means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for uniquely and unambiguously aligning a patient's visual line of sight (LOS) to the optical axis of an ophthalmic instrument such as may be used for laser surgery or diagnostics. By the method of the invention, two alignment targets are imaged at different distances along the optical axis of the ophthalmic instrument. Viewing along the optical axis, a patient moves his or her eye until the two imaged targets are in alignment. When the two imaged targets are viewed in alignment by the patient, the patient's LOS is precisely aligned with the optical axis of the apparatus. By relying on the patient's ability to self-align, this technique ensures that measurements are taken within a reproducible reference frame that is unique to each patient but independent of the type of machine used.

Abstract: An operation apparatus for ablating the cornea by laser beam and correcting ametropia of the eye comprising a diaphragm with variable aperture, which is disposed on the optical path along which the laser beam is irradiated on the cornea, a shading member for shading the aperture of the diaphragm in the meridian diameter direction of the aperture, which is capable of varying the shading area to the aperture of the diaphragm by changing the turning angle to the optical path, in which aperture diameter of the diaphragm and variation in scope of the shading area by the shading member being controlled, and a beam rotator disposed in the eye side to the diaphragm rotates the laser beam passed through the aperture of the diaphragm about the optical path, whereby the cornea is ablated thicker at the periphery than at the center so as to correct hypermetropia.

Abstract: Laser light apparatus for medical treatment to permit amputations, incisions, vaporization of living tissues of an animal such as a human body, thermal therapy and the like. This apparatus consists of a laser light generator, a laser light transmissive probe system and a laser light transmitting system. The laser light transmissive probe system is provided with an opposed pair of laser light transmissive probes. The opposed pair of probes can be controlled by a medical operator so as to be moved into or out of contact with each other at their laser light emitting portions. Laser light is transmitted to the opposed pair of probes from the laser light generator through the laser light transmitting system. Then, a target area of living tissues is pinched by the opposed pair of laser light transmissive probes so as to be disposed between the opposed pair of laser light emitting portions.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having a diode laser at the distal end of the instrument for cutting and/or coagulating tissue during an endoscopic procedure.

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: Bone fixation device comprising a profiled bar (1) on which at least two supporting members (2) have been movably and lockably mounted. The supporting members (2) comprise a sliding portion (3) having an opening (4) therein for passing the bar (1) and a supporting plate (5) extending from the sliding part (3), with a convex and concave surface (12, 13). Against the convex surface lies a ring (15) and against the concave surface lies a convex surface (21) of a receiving element (20, 27) in which screws (23) have been clamped, which can be secured in a bone part (24). Through the ring (15) extends a bolt (7) that has been screwed into one of a number of threaded bores (19) in the receiving element (20, 27) and which bolt extends through a relatively large opening in the supporting plate (5).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises two sets of implants (8) each consisting of a rod (18) and a plurality of vertebral anchors (16). The rod (18) is secured to the vertebral elements by the vertebral anchors (16). The anchor (16) includes a transpedicular screw (21) which is secured to a vertebrae. The anchor (16) further includes an anchor seat (23) which captures the screw (21) and permits micromotion between the anchor seat (23) and screw (21). This seat (23) has a rod-receiving channel (51,52) which captures the rod (18). A cap (25) cooperates with the seat (23) to secure the rod (18) in the anchor (16). A nut (27) screws down from the top of the assembly onto the seat (23) to cause rod (18) receiving flanges (46,47) in the cap (23) to apply a compressive force to the rod (18 ). A method of therapy is presented in which the present implants (8) are inserted surgically into a patient.

Abstract: A tool system and method useful in the preparation of a surgical wire pin extending from a toe of a patient undergoing a hammer toe operation comprises a shearing tool which forms and cuts the wire pin for affixing a protective cap to the end of the pin. The protective cap is affixed using a capping tool dimensioned to receive the wire pin formed by the shearing tool. The capping tool comprises a cartridge holding a plurality of protective caps.

Abstract: For defined positioning of a laser beam in an ophthalmological instrument with a slit projection device and an optical observation unit, a focusing objective is displaced by a displacement device in a plane parallel to the observation beam path of the optical observation unit. The laser beam path and the slit projection beam path are separately deflected coaxially with the observation beam path in the direction of the target plane. Defined positioning of a laser beam in the patient's eye is achieved by means of the displacement device, which includes a displacement element connected to the focusing objective, and an operating element. The displacement device furthermore offers diverse means of adjustment.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system comprising an elongated inner member 20 and a hollow barrel 14 adapted to receive the inner member 20. The barrel 14 includes an integral protrusion portion 15 for mating with a corresponding recess 24 on the inner member 20. The protrusion portion 15 is selectively removable by separation from the barrel 14, so that if the protrusion 15 is not removed, the protrusion 15 and corresponding recess 24 prevent rotation between the barrel 14 and the inner member 20, or alternatively, if the protrusion 15 is removed, this allows rotation between the inner member 20 and the barrel 14.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating of superficial afflictions of the type telangiectasis by means of a directed light beam. The device can be produced at a very low cost compared with known devices due to the fact that a source of light (2) that produces non-coherent light is used, that means due to a non-use of laser.