Abstract: A method for repairing or modifying an area of a patient's anatomy that comprises directing at least a portion of a scanning beam assembly to an area of a patient's anatomy, applying a radiation-responsive agent to portion of the anatomy, and exposing the radiation-responsive agent to radiation directed onto the agent by the reflector to cause the agent to therapeutically interact with the site. The scanning beam assembly including a radiation source capable of emitting radiation, a reflector that receives the radiation from the radiation source to direct the radiation onto the anatomy, wherein the reflector oscillates in at least two directions to create a scan of the anatomy, a detector to detect radiation returned from the anatomy, and a controller to convert the detected radiation into a displayable anatomy image.

Abstract: A system for examining an area of a patient's anatomy that comprises a probe capable of fluorescing, and a scanning beam assembly that scans the probe with a beam of excitation radiation and detects the probe's fluorescence. The scanning beam assembly including a radiation source capable of emitting one or more wavelengths of radiation that are capable of exciting the probe and causing the probe to fluoresce, a scanning device that directs the radiation onto a field-of-view to create a scan of the field-of-view, a detector to detect radiation returned from the field-of-view, and a controller to convert the detected radiation into a displayable fluorescence image.

Abstract: A medical device includes a radiation source assembly having at least two radiation sources, where one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate an imaging beam for use in visualization of a scene and one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate a therapeutic beam for treatment of a medical condition. An optical fiber for directing radiation energy from the radiation source assembly toward a distal end of the medical device in the form of a beam. A reflector that receives the beam from the optical fiber, the reflector configured to direct the beam onto a field-of-view. A receiving system including a detector arranged and configured to receive radiation from the field-of-view to generate a viewable image. The imaging beam and the therapeutic beam are directed to follow a common path from the at least two radiation sources to the reflector.

Abstract: A biopsy system has a cutter defining a cutter lumen along an axis. One conduit in the system is configured to provide fluid communication along the cutter lumen axis; while another conduit in the system is configured to provide fluid communication lateral to the cutter lumen axis. The system may be operated in a variety of modes, including a sample cycle, a clear probe cycle, a cutter positioning cycle, an aspirate cycle, and a maintenance vacuum pulse cycle. The operational modes are selectable by a user. Depending on the mode selected by the user, the communication of vacuum, saline, or atmospheric air through the conduits, or the sealing of the conduits, will vary as a function of the axial position of the cutter.

Abstract: A diagnostic station integrates patient support, imaging, biopsy, and treatment. An illustrative version of a prone mammography table localizes a breast with an imaging modality (e.g., X-ray, etc.) based upon a rotating C-arm that may encircle the localized breast. A biopsy system is integrated into the controls and displays or user interface of the diagnostic station, sharing integrated utilities (e.g., vacuum, power, data communication, etc.). Ancillary devices may be identified and authenticated by the integrated system, such as to base available functionality on the identification and/or authentication of an ancillary device. Ancillary devices that may be integrated with the system may include devices that are operable to perform surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or other functions.

Abstract: A diagnostic station integrates patient support, imaging, biopsy, and treatment. An illustrative version of a prone mammography table localizes a breast with an imaging modality (e.g., X-ray, etc.) based upon a rotating C-arm that may encircle the localized breast. A biopsy system is integrated into the controls and displays or user interface of the diagnostic station, sharing integrated utilities (e.g., vacuum, power, data communication, etc.). Ancillary devices may be identified and authenticated by the integrated system, such as to base available functionality on the identification and/or authentication of an ancillary device. Ancillary devices that may be integrated with the system may include devices that are operable to perform surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or other functions.

Abstract: A diagnostic station integrates patient support, imaging, biopsy, and treatment. An illustrative version of a prone mammography table localizes a breast with an imaging modality (e.g., X-ray, etc.) based upon a rotating C-arm that may encircle the localized breast. A biopsy system is integrated into the controls and displays or user interface of the diagnostic station, sharing integrated utilities (e.g., vacuum, power, data communication, etc.). Ancillary devices may be identified and authenticated by the integrated system, such as to base available functionality on the identification and/or authentication of an ancillary device. Ancillary devices that may be integrated with the system may include devices that are operable to perform surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or other functions.

Abstract: A diagnostic station integrates patient support, imaging, biopsy, and treatment. An illustrative version of a prone mammography table localizes a breast with an imaging modality (e.g., X-ray, etc.) based upon a rotating C-arm that may encircle the localized breast. A biopsy system is integrated into the controls and displays or user interface of the diagnostic station, sharing integrated utilities (e.g., vacuum, power, data communication, etc.). Ancillary devices may be identified and authenticated by the integrated system, such as to base available functionality on the identification and/or authentication of an ancillary device. Ancillary devices that may be integrated with the system may include devices that are operable to perform surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or other functions.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a condition within a patient's body includes locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient's anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time. The scanned beam imaging unit is located at the imaging location using a locating instrument. The locating instrument is removed from the patient's body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location. With the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location, a beam of light is scanned across the portion of the anatomy and light is received from the portion of the anatomy. A video image of the portion of the anatomy is produced from imaging data generated using detected light received from the portion of the anatomy.

Abstract: A method for viewing a portion of a patient's anatomy that comprises placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy, securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure, scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure, collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy, and generating a displayable image of the anatomy.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device having a translating cutter for severing tissue samples and a vacuum control module. The vacuum control module is separate from the biopsy device. The vacuum control module includes a vacuum pump and vacuum canister, and is portable by a single hand. The vacuum canister and the vacuum control module have complimentary ports that are configured to couple upon insertion of the vacuum canister into the vacuum control module. The complimentary ports provide fluid communication between a vacuum pump in the vacuum control module and a reservoir in the vacuum canister. The biopsy device may be placed in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via the canister without the user having to separately connect any tubes with the canister or pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy delivery device for use with a medical treatment system for the more efficacious treatment of patients during laser surgery which limits the number of uses or prevents reuse of the energy delivery device after a certain threshold limit has been reached. The energy delivery device comprises a diffusing optical fiber and a memory device having data programmed therein and being operatively connected to an energy generator the optical fiber includes a temperature sensor for generating a temperature signal in a closed loop manner. The data stored in the memory device includes a multiplicity of use parameters, usage limits, usage counts, and count limits all relating to the properties of the medical treatment system. The use parameters may include an elapsed time, a total treatment time, and a number of treatment sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying energy to human tissue, which includes an energy generator and a usage-limited, energy delivery device, and ancillary information exchange capability therebetween for the purposes of security, reliability and operational monitoring and control. The invention also provides a usage-limited, energy delivery device for use in such an apparatus, a method for determining the suitability of the delivery device for use in such an apparatus, and a method of using the delivery device in such an apparatus. The present invention provides an efficient medical treatment system having ready data-communication capability between its permanent and non-permanent components, for the security, reliability and operational monitoring and control desired in such medical systems.

Abstract: A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus of an intervertebral disc while avoiding the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, inserting a light-emitting diffuser into the annulus, and activating the light-emitting diffuser to emit diffuse light while maintaining the light-emitting diffuser within the access channel to raise the temperature of the annulus to a value sufficient to cause a change in the characteristics of the annulus.

Abstract: A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus, inserting a light source into the intervertebral disc, activating the light source to emit diffuse light, optically measuring the temperature of tissue near the light source, and modifying the intensity of the light emitted from the source according to the measured temperature.

Abstract: A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus, inserting a light source into the intervertebral disc, activating the light source to emit diffuse light, optically measuring the temperature of tissue near the light source, and modifying the intensity of the light emitted from the source according to the measured temperature.

Abstract: A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus of an intervertebral disc while avoiding the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, inserting a light-emitting diffuser into the annulus, and activating the light-emitting diffuser to emit diffuse light while maintaining the light-emitting diffuser within the access channel to raise the temperature of the annulus to a value sufficient to cause a change in the characteristics of the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying energy to human tissue, which includes an energy generator and a usage-limited, energy delivery device, and ancillary information exchange capability therebetween for the purposes of security, reliability and operational monitoring and control. The invention also provides a usage-limited, energy delivery device for use in such an apparatus, a method for determining the suitability of the delivery device for use in such an apparatus, and a method of using the delivery device in such an apparatus. The present invention provides an efficient medical treatment system having ready data-communication capability between its permanent and non-permanent components, for the security, reliability and operational monitoring and control desired in such medical systems.

Abstract: A biosensing meter receives a biomedical sample strip or a check strip, a sample strip including electrically isolated excitation and sense electrodes. The biosensing meter includes first and second contacts that are positioned to be electrically connected by a sense electrode when a sample strip is inserted into the biosensing meter. An operational amplifier circuit has one input connected to the first contact and a second input connected to a reference potential, the one input manifesting the reference potential as a result of a feedback within the operational amplifier. A processor is coupled to the second contact and determines the presence of the reference potential at the second contact when an inserted sense electrode connects the first and second contacts.