Abstract: A method for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis to alleviate the discomforts of breathing by using non-thermal electroporation energy to ablate diseased portions of the lung including the bronchus, airways and alveoli which, in effect, opens the restrictive diseased portions thereby maximizing the overall surface area thereof causing improved airflow and uninhibited breathing.

Abstract: A light delivery catheter (2), for use in PDT treatments, includes a hollow sheath (4) with a balloon (24) at its distal end. Target tissue (33) at a target site on a hollow body organ, such as a blood vessel, is inoculated with an appropriate photosensitizing agent. A light guide (14) extends along the sheath and has a light-radiating portion or light source (20) at its end within the balloon. The balloon is positioned at the target site and target tissue is irradiated causing destruction of the target tissue. The balloon defines perfusion channels (30) when the balloon is inflated so that during use fluid can continue passing through the blood vessel. The light irradiating the vessel wall is preferably of generally equal intensity. This can be achieved in whole or in part in several different ways.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing an output beam from a laser system on a body which provides for a uniform fluence level throughout an entire treatment region. A first structure receives the laser beam and aims it along a propagation axis. A scanner scans the propagation axis of the laser beam at a controlled scan velocity, so that the laser beam essentially continuously scans a treatment pattern on the body. The treatment pattern can consist of an essentially straight line, or a ring, or other pattern which can be easily fitted together with other patterns to fill in a treatment area.The method includes the steps of:supplying a laser beam,directing a laser beam along a propagation axis to the body, andscanning the propagation axis of the laser beam at a controlled scanned velocity, so that the laser beam essentially continuously scans the treatment pattern on the body.

Abstract: A laser system provides output wavelengths at near 1.06 and near 1.44 micron from an Nd:YAG gain medium, along with a frequency doubled output of the 1.06 micron line. This system is based on a laser resonator with a plurality of turning mirrors, each transmissive at a selective subset of the characteristic wavelengths of Nd:YAG and reflective at a selected output wavelength. The mechanism is coupled with the turning mirrors for selectively positioning one of the plurality of turning mirrors in the optical path, directing the beam on an output coupler having a fixed position with respect to a string of components for delivering the output beam to a surgical site. Also, the mechanism can selectively remove the turning mirror from the optical path. In this case, the beam is supplied to a frequency doubling alternate resonator design and output at the second harmonic of the 1.06 micron line is generated.

Abstract: Power output and power conversion efficiency of an intracavity non-linear optical laser is substantially increased by reducing the effect of thermal focussing per unit of pump energy enabling a stable resonator cavity at high input powers by utilizing a closely coupled reflector, multi-gain media configuration, and various pump source filters and/or semiconductor laser diode pumping.

Abstract: A crystalline slab laser system with an intracavity non-linear optic comprising one of a group of KTP and its isomorphs provides high power frequency summing or doubling. The optical path of the laser travels through the slab shaped gain media in a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A mechanism for distributing the output beam from a laser system in a treatment pattern that comprises a plurality of optical fibers, having input ends and output ends. At the input ends, the fibers are secured in a scan configuration for receiving an output beam from a laser. At the output ends, the fibers are configured in a treatment configuration for distributing the output beam in a treatment pattern. A scanner coupled with the laser system directs the beam in a scan pattern at the input ends of the fibers which matches the scan configuration. The treatment configuration secures the output ends of the optical fibers so that the output end of one optical fiber sequentially receiving the beam from the scanner is non-adjacent the output end of a next optical fiber sequentially receiving the beam from the scanner.

Abstract: A laser system using non-linear crystals for second harmonic generation and solid state gain media is operated under data processor control so that a plurality of pump power modes are available. The data processor modulates the pump power in a low power mode, and supplies continuous pump power in combination with Q-switching in a high power mode. Alternatively, modulation may be used in both low power and high power modes, with the parameters of the modulation adjusted under program control. Second harmonic generation without a Q-switch in high power modes can be achieved as well. The data processing control of pump power allows optimization of pump energy consumption and the generation of waste heat so that the laser resonator may be air-cooled in many environments. Also other design objectives can be achieved for specific laser applications using the program controlled data processor to drive the pump power source.

Abstract: A laser system generates suitable laser power for use in photodynamic therapy, and particularly photodynamic therapy using dyes which undergo desired photodynamic reactions at 659 mm, i.e., Purpurin. The laser system generates a red output power of greater than 4 watts. For the therapeutic applications, a means for delivering the red beam to therapeutic sites is provided. The laser system provides for a frequency doubled solid-state laser system in which the non-linear birefringent crystal used to provide frequency doubling is mounted adjacent a flat mirror whereby losses due to walkoff of the beam caused by the crystal are minimized. The laser resonant cavity defined by one flat and one other mirror, which may be stabilized by means, such as thermal lensing in the solid-state gain medium, inside the cavity. A frequency doubled Nd:YAG rod in such cavity tuned to 1.319 microns with a KTP frequency doubling crystal for generates an output beam at 0.

Abstract: A wire, comprising a shape memory alloy, is shaped to define a perimeter of an aperture having an adjustable size. The wire is responsive to current flow through the wire to vary the length of the wire, and thereby the length of the perimeter of the aperture. A controllable power supply is coupled to the wire, for supplying a controllable current through the wire to adjust its length, and thereby to adjust the size of the aperture. The aperture is suited for controlling transverse modes in a laser by controlling diffraction losses in the laser resonant cavity. Also, the shape memory alloy aperture is suitable for mounting within a sealed cavity laser.

Abstract: A bore support assembly is used in construction of an outer envelope of a laser and for supporting an inner bore tube of the laser near its free end. The bore support assembly includes a generally planar joiner ring having radially spaced outer and inner peripheries. At its outer periphery, it becomes rigidly attached to the interior of the envelope during formation of the latter from separate bore assembly tube and reservoir tube sections. Its inner periphery has a central opening receiving the bore tube. The bore support assembly also includes a spider structure and a preform element for attaching it to the exterior of bore tube. The spider structure has an outer peripheral portion attached to the inner periphery of the joiner ring so as to position the spider structure on one side of the joiner ring and along the central opening thereof.

Abstract: A laser has a central axis, an outer envelope, a cathode end cap attached to the cathode end of the envelope, a cathode post attached at an inner end to the cathode end cap and extending axially therefrom generally coaxially along the central axis, and a laser mirror mounted to an outer end of the cathode post. An alignment mechanism is provided at the cathode end of the laser for aligning the mirror in a desired predetermined relation to the central axis. The alignment mechanism includes a cylindrical collar mounted to the cathode end cap in surrounding and outward radially spaced relation to the mirror-supporting cathode post, and a plurality of adjustment screws mounted to the collar at circumferentially spaced locations about the cathode post.