Abstract: Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

Abstract: An articulating instrument including a distal assembly having first and second configurations and intermediate configurations between them. At least one of the first and second configurations is substantially stable such that the distal assembly of the instrument has a tendency to remain in the stable configuration when placed in that configuration by a user of the instrument. Preferably, the distal assembly terminates in a distal tip unit defining at least one distal feature that is useful for manipulating tissue.

Abstract: A modular handpiece having a proximal handle module with a handle unit having at least one interior fluid cavity, having an exterior gripping surface, defining a fluid control port enabling fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior fluid cavity, and capable of accommodating at least one waveguide for carrying optical radiation and capable of accommodating at least one RF electrode. The handpiece further comprises a cannula module having a distal portion with a distal tip, a central portion, and a proximal portion connectable with the handle module. All three cannula portions are capable of at least one of (a) defining a waveguide conduit, (b) carrying at least one RF electrode, and (c) defining a fluid passageway between the distal tip and the interior fluid cavity of the handle unit.

Abstract: An articulating instrument including a distal assembly having first and second configurations and intermediate configurations between them. At least one of the first and second configurations is substantially stable such that the distal assembly of the instrument has a tendency to remain in the stable configuration when placed in that configuration by a user of the instrument. Preferably, the distal assembly terminates in a distal tip unit defining at least one distal feature that is useful for manipulating tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing treatment of tissue of a patient at a surgical site by directing at least a first wavelength of illuminating radiation to a target location on the tissue of the patient to cause at least one type of fluorophore associated with the tissue to fluoresce. At least a first surgical energy is directed to the target location at one of a plurality of power settings, at least one of the power settings capable of quenching fluorescence of the fluorophore. At least one of a plurality of system control settings is adjusted to alter the amount of quenching of the fluorophore, the system control settings including the plurality of power settings.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.

Abstract: Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method that includes exposing a surface to a first gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a first chalcogenide glass on the surface, and exposing the layer of the first chalcogenide glass to a second gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a second glass on the layer of the first chalcogenide glass, wherein the second glass is different from the first chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method that includes exposing a surface to a first gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a first chalcogenide glass on the surface, and exposing the layer of the first chalcogenide glass to a second gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a second glass on the layer of the first chalcogenide glass, wherein the second glass is different from the first chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a waveguide that includes a core extending along a waveguide axis and a confinement region surrounding the core. The confinement region includes a spiral portion and a non-spiral portion, wherein the spiral portion and the non-spiral portion extend along the waveguide axis.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a waveguide that includes a core extending along a waveguide axis and a confinement region surrounding the core. The confinement region includes a spiral portion and a non-spiral portion, wherein the spiral portion and the non-spiral portion extend along the waveguide axis.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a waveguide that includes a first portion extending along a waveguide axis including a first chalcogenide glass, and a second portion extending along the waveguide axis including a second chalcogenide glass, wherein the second chalcogenide glass is different from the first chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method that includes exposing a surface to a first gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a first chalcogenide glass on the surface, and exposing the layer of the first chalcogenide glass to a second gas composition under conditions sufficient to deposit a layer of a second glass on the layer of the first chalcogenide glass, wherein the second glass is different from the first chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: A ferroelectric layer is deposited or in close proximity to a ferromagnetic ferrite layer to make a microwave substrate on which conductors can be deposited or placed to make devices. The permittivity of the ferroelectric layer can be changed by applying a voltage and the permeability of the ferromagnetic layer can be changed with a magnetic field. This makes it possible to tune the device characteristics with two different effects taking best advantage of the capabilities of each. A material example is ferromagnetic yttrium-iron-garnet on which is deposited a thin film of ferroelectric barium strontium titanate. To minimize losses, the ferroelectric film should be high quality, but practical yttrium-iron-garnet substrates are polycrystalline so that the use of buffer layers is desirable. At least two methods can be used to deposit the ferroelectric film, pulsed laser deposition and metal-organic chemical liquid deposition.