Abstract: A light diffuser tip for use with an optical fiber. The diffuser tip is affixed to an optical fiber and comprises an optically transparent elastomer core positioned to receive light from the output terminus of the optical fiber. The concentration of scattering centers embedded in the transparent elastomer core varies along the length of the core to yield a particular light distribution pattern. For example, the scattering centers may be distributed within an optically transparent elastomeric core material such as silicone to provide a scatterer density gradient along the diffuser tip in the axial direction of the optical fiber. A diffuser tip which provides uniform cylindrical light output intensity in air will provide a different output intensity distribution in a medium with a different index of refraction such as human tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating body tissue, and particularly for creating linear lesions within a chamber of a patient's heart, is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having an ablation section which includes an infusion tube and a plurality of spaced electrodes. The infusion tube and electrodes are covered by a fluid permeable foam material, and the foam material is covered by a fluid impermeable covering having a plurality of holes formed in it. During use, the ablation section is placed against tissue to be ablated. This positioning step is facilitated because the ablation section of the inventive devices may be manipulated in various ways. When the ablation section is properly positioned, radio frequency energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is delivered to the infusion tube.

Abstract: This invention modifies a windsurfing boom, to allow the clew of a windsurfing sail to move laterally away from the sailor. An elongated tail piece and roller assembly are used to facilitate movement of said sail.

Abstract: A device for delivering phototherapeutic light to uniformly illuminate a tissue surface. The device is a bowl-shaped shell with a more-or-less parabolic profile and having an open end and an apex. The inner surface of the shell is adapted to diffusely reflect light with very low absorption by the shell material. A light output end of a fiber optic is introduced into the interior of the shell through a fiber optic port in the shell wall near the apex. The light output end of the fiber is positioned such that light emanating therefrom impinges upon the inner surface of the shell. The shape of the shell causes greater than 60 percent of the light emanating from the fiber to intercept the shell's surface and be diffusely reflected. The diffusely reflected light may then undergo further diffuse reflection within the shell prior to reaching the treatment surface adjacent to the open end of the shell to provide more uniform illumination of the treatment surface than the fiber could otherwise provide.

Abstract: A microlens tip assembly for focusing output light from a light delivery catheter upon a target tissue. Due to the inherent divergence of output light from diode lasers, when such divergent light is conducted from the proximal end of a catheter to the distal end by means of a fiber optic, a portion is reflected at the fiber/air/lens interface to impinge upon the microlens housing area thereby heating the housing assembly resulting in overheating at high power levels and possible device failure and/or tissue damage. The present high-powered microlens includes a rear and front mount, both of which are fabricated from a non-light-absorbing material such as transparent or white plastic. The use of transparent or non-ligh-absorbing plastic components decreases the amount of heating of the tip assembly during light delivery, thereby solving the problem of therapeutic light delivery device failures and/or tissue damage due to overheating.

Abstract: A watercraft containing a fin box system, said fin box system comprising a chamber of spaced side walls and end walls, and a fin with a fin base that can travel vertically, horizontally or at an angle within said chamber; said chamber is fixed within said watercraft, and said fin base having a device to expand and contract itself against said side walls or end walls can be releasably fixed at an infinite number of positions within said fin box.

Abstract: A steerable catheter is disclosed which can treat luminal surfaces such as those occurring in the vascular tree, pulmonary tree, gastrointestinal tract, urological organs, etc. with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) or other optical diffusing treatments. The catheter, which may include an inflatable balloon portion, has a light diffusing tip which can be deflected allowing the catheter to be steered precisely. The light diffusing tip on the steerable catheter is able to gain access to and enter virtually any sub-branch of the luminal system being treated. Since this catheter does not require a guidewire lumen for insertion, the profile is reduced. A low profile device allows treatment light to be delivered to the walls of the most distal, small diameter lumen.

Abstract: A local area network packet receiving system synchronizes the passage of packets through a receive buffer through a synchronizing circuit which supplies clock pulses to the receive buffer. The clock system utilizes a sensing circuit that senses the rate at which packets are being stored in the receive buffer. A master oscillator provides a reference signal and a rate control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit controls the rate at which the clock pulses are supplied to the receive buffer. A programmable timer supplies timing pulses out of the control of the rate control circuit. A phase-lock-loop having first and second comparison inputs is coupled to the programmable timer to receive the timing pulses on the first comparison input and to the master oscillator to receive a reference signal on the second comparsion input.

Abstract: A tool and method are disclosed for removing a valve core or element from a valve which is under pressure without requiring that the system be shut down and the pressure relieved. A tool having a passage therethrough sized to accommodate the valve element to be serviced is bolted over the valve and the valve element is drawn therein and the tool closed to isolate the passage and the element from the pressurized system thereby allowing the element to be repaired or replaced.