Abstract: A method and apparatus for both the diagnostic measurement and therapeutic treatment of a body cavity. According to one form of the method of the invention, a fluid (liquid or gas) under pressure is introduced into a selected body cavity while monitoring the pressure or flow of the fluid (liquid or gas) into the cavity. Following pressurization of the body cavity, fluid (liquid or gas) inflow and outflow data is collected and analyzed. The data collected is used to draw various conclusions about the biomechanical properties of the body cavity and the organ in which it is present, and also to draw conclusions about presence or absence of disease as well as the character of disease. According to another method of the invention a fluid (liquid or gas) is controllably infused into the body cavity to controllably expand the body cavity for purposes of therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the simultaneous removal of superficial epidermal skin cells and unwanted hair using strategically structured laser pulses. The apparatus of the invention includes an optical crystal which, when pumped, will produce uniquely structured pulses of laser light. More particularly, each produced pulse has a first portion of a first duration and a first wavelength and a second portion of a second duration and a second wavelength. In accordance with the method of the invention the first portion of the purse is directed toward a selected target area for a first period of time and in a manner to raise the temperature of the lower portion of the human tissue located within the target area sufficiently to elicit a heating response that will accomplish hair reduction.

Abstract: A microkeratome for use with a handpiece and a microkeratome blade, the microkeratome having a positioning assembly and a head portion with a base portion and an insert portion. The positioning assembly has a platform with a corneal opening and a suction ring for application to the surface of the patient's eyeball. The positioned assembly has two spaced apart guide walls that are high enough to prevent a patient's eyelids from passing over the upper surface of the positioning assembly. The base portion has a lower planar face with a base slot extending therethrough through which the microkeratome blade will extend, and opposing sides with skates to slidably engage with inner sliding surfaces of guide walls. The insert portion lockably fits into the base portion. Stops are present to control the amount of uncut corneal flap.