Abstract: A method of treating ice pick scars is provided in which the epidermal layer surrounding an ice pick scar is ablated to provide a recipient hole into which skin is grafted. Smoothing of the skin after grafting may then be performed with permanent rejuvenation.

Abstract: A device for incising and dilating a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a catheter having an inflatable balloon near its distal end. A laser rod formed with a light groove on its distal portion is bonded to the catheter with the light groove positioned on the balloon. In the operation of the device, the catheter and laser rod are inserted through the vessel to place the balloon and light groove in contact with the stenosis. Laser light is then directed through the laser rod for emission from the light groove to incise the stenosis. Simultaneously, the balloon is inflated. This inflation of the balloon causes further incision of the stenosis and dilatation of the stenosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing more precise aiming by an eye tracking system, including a registration, or aiming, laser, that provides for precise location of where the next laser ablation shot will impinge upon the eye. The method and apparatus further includes an aiming assistance fixture that provides a fixed frame of reference for locating the origin of the eye.

Abstract: A laser treatment device provides an output operating laser beam having a single wavelength which is highly absorbed by tissue of a patient and which beam is non-diverging. The laser treatment device may be a catheter which is inserted into a patient for performing endovascular myocardial revascularization (i.e., creating new channels for blood flow from within the interior of the patient's heart). The use of the highly absorbed wavelength and the non-diverging character of the beam are possible by having a distal laser at a distal end of the catheter. The distal laser is pumped by a source of laser energy supplied by an array of diode lasers and passed along an optical fiber from a proximal end of the catheter.

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: A method for welding ocular tissues to each other including providing a first portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge and a second portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge, positioning the leading edge of the first portion of ocular tissue directly adjacent to and against the leading edge of the second portion of ocular tissue, and applying pulses of a laser light from a source thereof substantially simultaneously to the leading edge of the first portion of ocular tissue and to the leading edge of the second portion of ocular tissue, the pulses of the laser light penetrating the portions of ocular tissue to a depth of approximately 1-300 microns so that the leading edge of the first portion of ocular tissue may be securely welded to the leading edge of the second portion of ocular tissue, the laser light having a wavelength of approximately 10.

Abstract: A system for causing uniform ablation of irradiated material of living tissue while not causing damage below a predetermined depth where laser radiation is provided sequentially and continuously in a predetermined pattern is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of operating the cornea by using an ultraviolet laser, such as an excimer laser, for correcting an abnormal curvature of the cornea, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, or for treating opacity of the cornea, uses a cooling device for cooling the cornea before, during, or after the operation, or all three. A liquid medicine for promoting healing is sprinkled or sprayed onto the cornea using a sprinkling device, which can be incorporated in the cooling device. A laser beam is irradiated after the excess liquid medicine is removed from the cornea using a suction device, which can also be incorporated in the cooling device. Due to the cooling of the cornea and the medicine application, the undesirable side effects from a photochemical reaction of the laser beam can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of facial rejuvenation is provided in which ablation of an area of skin is accomplished to above the papillary dermis, providing effective permanent smoothness.

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: 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: 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: A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece terminating distally in a probe, a laser connector, and an optical fiber for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends substantially through the handpiece probe. The probe also includes a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body. The probe has a soft tip to reduce the possibility of injury to the interior of the eye by contact with the metal portion of the probe.

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: 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 semiconductor medical treatment instrument in close contact with a part of the human body at which a pain is caused. A plurality of sets of diodes in each of which two diodes the same in kind as each other are arranged in parallel relation to each other such that a direction extending from an anode to a cathode of one of the diodes is opposite a direction extending from an anode to a cathode of the other diode are arranged such that the directions connecting respectively the anodes and the cathodes to each other extend perpendicularly to each other.