Abstract: In a method, a gain medium is provided having an absorption coefficient that varies with wavelength. An absorption coefficient curve of the absorption coefficient or a range of wavelengths comprises peaks and valleys. A pump module is operated to output pump energy at an operating wavelength within one of the valleys, at which the absorption coefficient is approximately less than 40% of the absorption coefficient at an adjacent peak of the absorption coefficient curve defining the valley. The pump energy is directed through the gain medium. A portion of the pump energy is absorbed with the gain medium and laser light is emitted from the gain medium responsive to the absorbed pump energy. The non-absorbed pump energy (feedback pump energy) is fed back to the pump module. The operating wavelength of the pump energy is stabilized using the feedback pump energy.

Abstract: A light pointer (e.g., laser pointer) comprises an optical fiber light source. Optionally, the output beam provided by the pointer may be adjustable from small output angles (substantially collimated beam, “spot” mode to larger output angles providing “flood” illumination. The light pointer may emit infrared light, for example.

Abstract: A light pointer (e.g., laser pointer) comprises an optical fiber light source. Optionally, the output beam provided by the pointer may be adjustable from small output angles (substantially collimated beam, “spot” mode to larger output angles providing “flood” illumination. The light pointer may emit infrared light, for example.

Abstract: An adjustable beam illuminator may provide a beam of light with an output cone angle that is adjustable (e.g., continuously adjustable) from small output angles (substantially collimated beam, “spot” mode) to larger output angles providing “flood” illumination. The illuminator may emit infrared light, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) has a pump module (104) providing pump energy, a resonator (106) and a controller (187). The resonator (106) includes a gain medium (102) receiving the pump energy from the pump module and producing light; reflective surfaces (110, 156, 158, 160, 162) reflecting light produced by the gain medium back toward the gain medium; and a variable light attenuator (152) receiving light produced by the gain medium. The controller (187) controls the amount of light attenuated by the variable light attenuator such that the apparatus emits windows (306, 308, 310) of pulses of laser light at spaced time intervals, each window containing a plurality of pulses of laser light and each interval (326, 327) between windows being larger than an interval (318) between pulses within a window. The emitted windows of pulses (320, 322) of laser light heat tissue to a temperature that causes coagulation without vaporization.

Abstract: Prostate treatment using fluid stream to resect prostate tissue, thereby relieving symptoms of conditions such as BPH, prostatitis, and prostatic carcinoma. A device having a fluid delivery element is positioned within a lumen of the urethra within the prostate. A fluid stream is directed outwardly from the fluid delivery element toward a wall of the urethral lumen. The fluid delivery element is moved to scan the fluid stream over the wall to remove a volume of tissue surrounding the lumen. The fluid may be combined with therapeutically active substances or with substances that increase resection efficiency. Fluid force may be adjusted to provide selective tissue resection such that soft tissue is removed while harder tissue is left undamaged. In order to gain a working space within the urethra, another fluid may be introduced to insufflate the urethra in the region of treatment.

Abstract: A pump module comprises a power source, a plurality of laser diodes, a controller and light combining optics. The laser diodes each have an activated state and a deactivated state. The laser diodes receive current from the power source and output light when in the activated state and do not receive current from the power source when in the deactivated state. The controller switches the plurality of laser diodes from a first power mode, in which a first subset of the laser diodes is in the activated state, to a second power mode, in which a second subset of the laser diodes is in the activated state, responsive to a power mode setting. The light combining optics are configured to combine the light from the activated laser diodes and output the combined light as pump energy. A laser system comprises a pump module and a gain medium. The pump module is configured to output pump energy having a wavelength that is within a wavelength range of 874-881 nm.

Abstract: In a method, a gain medium is provided having an absorption coefficient that varies with wavelength. An absorption coefficient curve of the absorption coefficient or a range of wavelengths comprises peaks and valleys. A pump module is operated to output pump energy at an operating wavelength within one of the valleys, at which the absorption coefficient is approximately less than 40% of the absorption coefficient at an adjacent peak of the absorption to coefficient curve defining the valley. The pump energy is directed through the gain medium. A portion of the pump energy is absorbed with the gain medium and laser light is emitted from the gain medium responsive to the absorbed pump energy. The non-absorbed pump energy (feedback pump energy) is fed back to the pump module. The operating wavelength of the pump energy is stabilized using the feedback pump energy.