Abstract: A composite foil package for a pourable material such as cat litter having an outer hull and inner lining sealed to provide an interior space to retain the pourable material. The hull and lining are provided with perforations to permit, when the perforations are parted, the folding out of the outer hull and inner lining to expose the pourable material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel breeding cage and breeding of small animal using the same. The breeding cage comprises a feeder; and a top-opened body in trapezoidal shape that widens towards the top opening, the front wall having through its upper part an opening that can be removably closed with the feeder.

Abstract: A supporting standard for stationary farm implements is configured with a horizontally extending trough-like foot of downward-narrowing cross-section to enable the foot to sit lightly on soft earth and be easily extracted from frozen soil.

Abstract: An animal feeding bowl for placement on the ground in which ants or other crawling insects are prevented from entering the food area of the bowl. A combination of tactic barriers are positioned with respect to the path of travel of the insect from ground to the food area.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for use in applying foam resin insulation between the tank and the outer jacket of a water heater. The jacket of the water heater is spaced outwardly of the tank to provide a space that receives a foamable resin, such as polyurethane. The upper end of the jacket is enclosed by a thin, sheet metal cover. To clamp the cover to the jacket and prevent deformation of the cover due to the pressure of the resin foam, a clamping mechanism is utilized which includes a plate or clamping member that is positioned flatwise against the cover, and a clamp assembly secures the clamping plate to the upper end of a flue, or other tubular opening in the tank. In a preferred form, the clamping mechanism consists of a resilient, expandable plug which is inserted within the opening in the tank and is expanded outwardly into tight engagement with the wall bordering the opening to secure the clamping plate to the tank.

Abstract: A drive device for coolant pumps having a pump shaft, a boss having a bore in which the pump shaft is rotatably disposed and a driven gear made from synthetic resin to transmit the rotational power from the crankshaft to the impeller to move the coolant into circulation through the coolant jacket for engine cooling, is disclosed which comprises a pin, fixedly implanted in radial pattern in the circumference of the pump shaft, a couple of radially extending grooves outwardly from the center of the driven gear bore in that side of the driven gear facing the impeller to receive therein fittingly the pin, respectively, and a washer mounted about the pump shaft between the front end face of the bore and the pin so as to prevent the pump shaft from falling off from its bore. When the driven gear is driven by the crankshaft, the pin closely fitted in the grooves transmits the torque to the pump shaft, without any slip.

Abstract: A cooling system for water-cooled internal combustion engines, particularly boat motors comprises a pump for circulating cooling water over a heat exchanger and through an expansion vessel, a raw water pump for maintaining a flow of raw water as a cooling fluid through the heat exchanger, a reservoir, and a pressure relief valve and a check valve which are connected in parallel between the expansion vessel and the reservoir. In order to reliably maintain a high pressure in the expansion vessel and to maintain an emergency operation in case of a leak in the cooling system and to accomplish this with simple means, the reservoir is pressure-tight, the line which connects the expansion vessel to the reservoir opens into the uppermost portion of the reservoir, and the raw water pump is connected by a discharge line to the lowermost portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: An induction system for a two-cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engine of the type employed in an outboard motor. As such, the engine has vertically disposed crankcase chambers. Two barrel carburetors serve the crankcase chambers of the cylinder pairs through an intake manifold which has respective intake passages that each slope downwardly so as to avoid variations in mixture strength.

Abstract: Each of the cylinder heads forming right and left cylinder banks of a V-type engine is provided, in the inner side wall thereof, with intake ports each communicating with a cylinder formed in the cylinder bank. A camshaft is provided in each cylinder bank above intake and exhaust valves to drive the valves in synchronization with the rotation of the engine and supported for rotation by a plurality of bearings. Each discrete intake passage is connected to one of the intake port of one of the cylinder banks and extends above the other cylinder bank. Cylinder head covers mounted on the respective cylinder heads are provided with recessed portions at the portions corresponding to the inter-bearing portions of the camshaft and said discrete intake passages extend through the recessed portions.

Abstract: This system is designed to increase gasoline mileage of automotive vehicles. Primarily, it consists of a two way selector valve connected to the vehicle's fuel pump and the carburetor, and also to a volume control valve connected to a heat exchanger that is connected to the air filter of the carburetor. The heat exchanger is mounted in the engine exhaust pipe as is a temperature sensor, and after the engine is started, the temperature sensor actuates a solenoid that rotates the selector valve to by-pass the liquid fuel into the heat exchanger which immediately vaporizes the liquid fuel as it passes into the air filter of the carburetor. The volume control valve is also coupled by linkage to the vehicle's accelerator pedal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston with variable compression height, particularly for internal-combustion engines, that consists of an interior piston part to which a connecting rod is coupled, and an exterior piston part that is slidably held at said interior piston part. In this case, the exterior piston, via two control chambers that are supplied with oil from the lubricating oil circuit, supports itself by adherence at the interior piston part, said control chambers being connected by a hydraulic system.

Abstract: In a cylinder head with desmodromic valve operation for internal combustion engines, where the operation is implemented by two rockers for each valve which control its closure and opening respectively and which act on the valve stem by way of calibrated registers.The rocker for opening the valve is mounted with two degrees of freedom on its pin. One of these degrees of freedom relates to its ability to rotate about the pin and the other to its ability to translate along the pin. By utilizing this second degree of freedom, the rocker can be moved onto and off the valve.

Abstract: An improved rocker arm adjusting nut characterized by an upper collar, a lower flange and an axially elongated body with a substantially cylindrical central section that is provided with knurling, or grooves in the axial direction. The upper collar and knurling deflect oil axially towards the lower flange when used according to its intended purpose with a stamped steel rocker arm, of conventional design. The enlarged mass and surface area of the adjusting nut helps both to dissipate temperature from the pivot ball-rocker arm interface, by conduction, and deflect oil towards the pivot ball-rocker arm interface.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine which includes a supplemental fuel chamber and fuel injector valve, manually or remotely actuated, to inject a charge of fuel into the fuel induction chamber of an associated engine and provide a continuing fuel supply to the engine, over and above, the normal carburetor system, to allow the engine to reach a warm-up stage and prevent stalling out until such stage is reached where normal carburetion can take over. Automatic refill and vent valves permit fuel recharge of the supplemental fuel chamber to insure readiness of the chamber for starting at all times. An idle vent is arranged to be closed electrically or otherwise to facilitate the starting cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combustion chamber for internal combustion engines using a volatile fuel of low certain number such as gasoline, alcohol or the like. The fuel is directly injected into communicating main and subsidiary combustion chambers which are formed side by side in the top wall of a piston and in which swirls are formed. The fuel is supplied into the main and subsidiary combustion chambers in atomized form to facilitate its volatilization, and partly deposited in the form a film which is easily volatilized by hot compressed air and wall heat in the respective combustion chambers. A spark plug is provided in the main and subsidiary combustion chambers to accelerate ignition of the atomized fuel supplied thereto.

Abstract: High-compression spark-ignited stratified-charge fuel-injection reciprocating-piston engine in which the combustion chamber initial charge includes a discrete air-fuel stratum that is lean with fuel at low speed idle and progressively increased in fuel richness and volume until that stratum ultimately completely fills the chamber with a homogeneous air-fuel mixture using all of the intaken air to attain maximum power. The combustion process minimizes pollutive exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A timer operated throttle closing device for drag racing vehicles. In particular, this throttle closing device automatically senses the initiation of the race and automatically closes the throttle after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and after a second period of time has elapsed automatically releases the throttle closure device.

Abstract: An electronically controlled ignition system which services to improve the efficiency of the engine so as to boost up the power and economize fuel consumption, and more particularly relates to an ignition system which is able to be controllably adjusted as to the extent of the ignition spark of the plug and the ignition timing in accordance with the conditions of the automobile, road and the driving habit of a driver. The present system is equipped with a vacuum suction device operably controlled by ignition signals so that the extent of ignition spark of the plugs and the ignition advance can be automatically regulated in accordance with the density of the mixture of air and fuel as well as the engine speed for effecting better combustion and precise ignition timing for the engine so to boost up the engine power and effect fuel economy.

Abstract: A fuel injection control device in which a needle valve of a fuel injector is opened and closed by two valves. The fuel injector has a pressure control chamber and a fuel chamber, and the needle valve opens a fuel injection aperture to inject the fuel in the fuel chamber to the engine when a pressure in the pressure control chamber is relatively high. One valve is provided in a passage which connects a pump, the pressure control chamber, and a reservoir, and the other valve is provided in a passage which connects the pump, the fuel chamber, and the reservoir.

Abstract: A fuel injection system in which a fuel injector having a fuel pressure control chamber formed therein to create a pressure which forces a needle valve in the closing direction to open and close the nozzle hole, an accumulator to retain fuel discharged from the nozzle hole, and a fuel injector provided at each of the cylinders of the engine, are connected to the fuel injection pump by a single piping system without utilizing a special distribution mechanism. The volume of the fuel pressure control chamber in the fuel injector can be changed by a piezo-actuator. A check valve is provided at a half way point of the piping which leads the fuel fed under pressure from the fuel injection pump to the fuel injector into the fuel pressure control chamber and the accumulator, so that the fuel is fed through the check valve into the fuel pressure control chamber and the accumulator.

Abstract: A basic fuel injection time is obtained based on engine speed and intake-air pressure in an intake passage of an engine downstream of a throttle valve of the engine. The basic fuel injection time is corrected by a correcting value based on a constant for a fuel injector and capacity of a chamber formed in an intake passage and on variation in intake-air pressure at every one rotation of a crankshaft of the engine when the idling state of the engine or throttle rapid closing are detected.

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel pump (14) communicating with a fuel tank (12) and delivering fuel to a fuel monitoring device (18) and including a device (18) for detecting and returning excess or vaporized fuel to the tank (12) is provided with a return fuel line for returning the detected vaporized or excess fuel to the tank with at least a portion of the return fuel line co-axial with and contained within the supply line.

Abstract: A very high performance digital ignition system is disclosed which includes a precision angular position sensor within the distributor of an internal combustion engine (or otherwise coupled to the engine to sense its angular position) to provide accurate timing information which is applied to gating means for selectively passing bursts of triggering pulses having, in the exemplary embodiment, a 7-to-1 duty cycle ratio. The selected burst of pulses are applied to a driver circuit which provides power amplification to energize the primary circuit of an ignition coil. An alternative mode of operation is also disclosed which simulates a conventional make and break ignition system to effect a service mode. In the service mode of operation, a single pulse is issued to the ignition coil upon the occurrence of the first or second pulse of the pulse burst after the angular position sensor has sensed that a cylinder firing operation should be instituted.

Abstract: A hand operated sling shot gun device consisting of a pistol grip having an extensible barrel, an elastic band carried by the barrel, a band holding member carried by the grip holding the band under tension with the device being loaded with a missile, the barrel and grip having sights and a band releasing member.

Abstract: A ball pitching system comprising a pneumatically actuated pitching arm and automatic ball feed system. The pneumatic actuation is provided by an automatic pressure sensor valve. Compressed air is provided by a DC compressor affixed to the frame of the pitching apparatus and may be powered by a conventional 12 volt vehicular battery system. In this manner the preselect pitching of baseballs and the like along a predefined trajectory can be provided at remote locations away from conventional power sources by using conventional automotive electrical supply. The system further provides a reliable, inexpensive assemblage require little maintenance and maximum enjoyment of use with baseballs and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for dressing a grinding wheel which utilizes a pair of cutting tools which are mounted in an in-line facing relationship with the grinding wheel to be located between the tools. These tools are to be moved to simultaneously engage the side walls of the grinding wheel so that, as the grinding wheel is rotated, both sides of the grinding wheel are dressed at the same time. The apparatus also includes a pair of second cutting tools which are to be used for forming bevels on the circumferential edge of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A grid system comprises a cover holder (26) to which a replaceable cover (28) can be fitted to by a sliding engagement. The holder (26) comprises a plurality of identical elongated T-shaped bars (30) being aligned parallel to one another on an equal plane, spaced equally apart, and being supported by two elongated retangular shaped front and rear crossbars (32,34) respectively. The front crossbar (32) having centrally located on its top side a small elongated extensible bar (52) and a bracket (54), which is used to support the front end of the bars (30) above an opposing member to facilitate fitting or removal of the replaceable cover (28). The replaceable cover (28) comprises a plurality of identical elongated generally retangular shaped sleeves (66) being aligned parallel to one another on an equal plane, spaced equally apart, and held in place by two margins (68) crossing perpendicular at the ends of sleeves (66), and on the same plane as the tops of sleeves (66).

Abstract: The heat exchanger of a gravity flow wall furnace defines a tortuous, mostly vertical path for the combustion gases to improve heat transfer to the room. The gases are directed upwardly in a combustion chamber and then split into two portions and conducted through two radiators having paths which extend downwardly adjacent to but spaced from the chamber and then upwardly again leading to a flue. The chamber and the radiators are oriented edgewise with respect to the wall so that all can fit within the space between a pair of studdings in a conventional stud wall.

Abstract: An oven especially--but not exclusively--for baking French bread has a single loading opening which is closed by a principal door having a fill opening therein which, in turn, is closed by a series of small longitudinal, superimposed folding doors. One edge of each folding door covers the adjacent edge of the folding door immediately next to it. The small doors either pivot over an arc 180.degree. or slide laterally. The back of the oven may be equipped with a set of doors, such as the small doors. A gap separates the front edge of plates for supporting the bread and the plane of the interior side of the small doors. The plates are relatively thin, movable perforated sheets. The ends of a latch or hook-up bar may slide into supports on the stiles of the loading opening or be held in struts provided on each side of the small doors.

Abstract: The container for use in precooked foods comprises a disposable container main body for containing precooked foods made of incombustible material and a disposable heater device made of incombustible material such as incombustible paper or aluminum, having a solid fuel, packaged integrally together with the container main body and capable of heating the main body. The container main body and the heater device are engaged to each other by fitting the protrusions on the main body into the lateral grooves in the heater device so that the main body can be supported at a raised position above the heater device. The container main body may include a cylindrical bellows portion that can vary the capacity of the container by expansion and compression.

Abstract: The invention relates to heating containers and, more particularly, to a handy heating container in which food or drink, canned or otherwise, to be heated, such as "sake", coffee, soup, curry, or the like, is set ready for being heated. The heating container has a water discharge device provided on the underside of a solution package containing water or a solution consisting principally of water; and the solution package and a heat generating material are housed in a retainer portion. With this arrangement, exothermic reaction progresses upward from the bottom portion of the heat generating material so that the can is efficiently heated. Furthermore, any water vapor produced is absorbed by the upper portion of the heat generating material so that water vapor jetting through the gap between the can and the container or blowing out of the can is effectively prevented.

Abstract: A cooking or ventilating system has an extraction unit connected through an exhaust duct with the outside atmosphere, and a damper which is shiftable between positions operatively opening or closing the exhaust duct. A mechanism for opening and closing the damper under power includes an electric motor and a ball screw linear actuator driven by the motor. Air flow through the system is controlled to prevent exhausted grease from being carried up the exhaust duct. The damper is mounted for closing in the direction of air flow through the system and, when opened, for shielding the drive mechanism from smoke and grease, etc., in the air flow. Control circuits provide automatically timed normal operation of the motor as well as control operation of detergent and spray wash apparatus of the ventilating system. The control circuits also include a thermosatic sensor arrangement for sensing temperatures within the extraction unit.

Abstract: An anti-stuttering device and method for enhancing the fluency of speech in stutterers. The device detects vocal pulses generated by the opening and closing of a speaker's vocal folds. Electrical signals representative of the vocal pulses are transmitted to a receiver in a sealed ear canal of the speaker where they are reproduced as audio pulses. The audio pulses produce a resonant effect within the ear canal to thereby provide an early indication of the characteristics of the speaker's voice and tend to reduce stuttering.

Abstract: A seed for implanting radioactive material within the living body of a recipient which contains radioactive material which emits therapeutic radiation to treat a specific localized area of the recipient's body. A capsule, which sealingly encloses the radioactive material, preventing contact with the recipient's body fluid and tissue, includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a pair of open ends. End members of a wall thickness substantially that of the cylindrical body close the open ends, and include an end wall and a generally tubular skirt portion extending therefrom. The skirt portion and the ends of the cylindrical body are deformably joined together by welding, crimping, peening or other cold flow metal treatment, to form a hermetic seal between the end cap and cylindrical body. Also disclosed is a cylindrical plug-like coupling member which joins the pair of seeds in end-to-end coaxial relationship.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion assisting device comprising a guide tube part provided with a hollow path through which an elongate endoscope insertion part can be inserted, a fitting part formed on the base side of this guide tube part and removably fitted with an endoscope operating part and a position adjusting mechanism varying at least one of the distance position along the longitudinal direction and the angular position around this longitudinal direction of this fitting part with respect to the guide tube part.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing a region within a body cavity or the like. The apparatus includes an elongate light pipe having a distal end and a proximal end, which light pipe illuminates the region to be viewed adjacent the distal end of the pipe. An objective lens system is carried at that distal end which in a preferred embodiment forms a focused real image of the illuminated region. This image is transmitted to the viewer through a series of relay lenses and, at the proximal end of the apparatus, through a viewing lens system. The light pipe and the lenses are composed of a polymeric material such as styrene, polycarbonate, acrylic, or the like, and are preferably aspheric lenses.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an insertion section having a distal-end unit which has a member having a plurality of through holes. An image guide has a distal end inserted in the first through hole. A first protective member surrounds and protects the distal end portion of the image guide. A light guide has a distal end inserted in the second through hole. A second protective member surrounds and protects the distal end portion of the light guide. The endoscope further comprises a fluid supply tube having a flexible main tube, a branch pipe, and two flexible sub-tubes. The main tube has a proximal end and a distal end which is fitted in the third through hole of said member. The branch pipe has three ends, the first of which is connected to the proximal end of the main tube. The two flexible sub-tubes are coupled to the second and third ends of the branch pipe, respectively.

Abstract: An arm constraint particularly adapted for use as an aid in the self-feeding of a person afflicated with tremors. The constraint generally includes a base adapted for mounting on a suitable support, such as a table or hospital bedside tray; a forearm rest defining a forearm rest surface; means for supporting the forearm rest on the base for rotation about a first vertically disposed axis and for arranging the rest surface in a horizontally disposed position selectively vertically adjustable relative to the base; a hand rest; mounting means for connecting the hand rest to an end of the forearm rest for rotation relative thereto about a second horizontally disposed axis; a constraint for removably retaining a forearm in engagement with the rest surface with a hand arranged for overlying engagement with the hand rest; a plate supporting table; and mounting means for mounting the plate supporting table on the base to underlie the hand rest and for vertical adjustment relative thereto.

Abstract: A knee exercising device is described. It provides for the manual control of pressure to the lower leg in selectively flexing either the right or left leg knee joint. The device includes a plate member interposed between the users buttocks and a chair sear on which the user is sitting. The leg of the knee being exercised is held in an elevated position by a pad between the thigh of that leg and the chair seat. A lever is pivotally mounted, intermediate its length, on the plate member. The lever swings in a vertical plane between the users legs about an axis generally vertically aligned with and parallel to the axis of the knee joint being exercised. A leg engaging pad is removably mounted on the lower end portion of the lever. The removable mounting enables the pad to be selectively positioned to engage the front, shin portion or rear calf portion or either leg, at an area adjacent to and spaced above the user's foot.

Abstract: A compact cervical traction apparatus having a carriage which is slidably disposed over a base, the carriage carrying a head support band. A pair of springs that provide a uniform traction force over the entire range of carriage movement are enclosed within a spring housing at the rear of the base. The springs are constant force springs and an uncoiled portion of the first spring is disposed below an uncoiled portion of the second spring. The uncoiled portion of the first spring is attached to a Z-shaped member having an elongated trailing end that is mounted to the carriage so as to bias the carriage. The uncoiled portion of the second spring is attached to a lip member that is disposed to securely fit within the Z-shaped member and thereby combine the traction force of the second spring to that of the first spring. An L-shaped disengaging plate has a portion which passes between the uncoiled portions of the springs proximate attachment of the lip member to the Z-shaped member.

Abstract: New and improved orthopedic/orthotic splint materials are provided which exhibit excellent elasticity, do not easily fingerprint, retain adhesion and have high toughness and flexural strength. The materials employed in the casts of this invention are blends of an aliphatic polyester, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone), with certain thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard block segment and a soft block segment, which possess a combination of desirable properties not heretofore found in cast materials.

Abstract: The bone implant for prostheses, particularly joints or joint members, preferably joints of the human locomotor system and especially the walking system, contains a shaft insertable into a cavity in a bone. The shaft has a total cross-section increasing from its diaphysis-associated distal end to its metaphysis-associated proximal end. Preferably, The shaft possesses in the region of the metaphysis-associated proximal end an integrally formed or separate intermediate piece at which the joint or joint member can be arranged. The shaft is preferably immediately and securely anchored in the bone and particularly is made of a metallic material. The shaft possesses an oblong rotationally symmetrical shaft body having an outer surface generated by, if desired, a longitudinally curved or preferably a substantially straight generatrix. The shaft body substantially has the shape of a truncated cone.

Abstract: An arcuate cradle element for use in an external fixation device is generally in the shape of a partial or full circular toroid whose transverse cross-section comprises two opposed and symmetrical polygonal portions, joined by a web serving to connect and space apart the polygons. The polygonal portions are preferably triangular portions. Two of the arcuate cradle elements of unequal length may be combined to form a full circle.

Abstract: A method of surgery for attaching the end of a ligament to a bone from which it has become attached, includes drilling a passage in the bone so that the passage opens at or adjacent the position where the ligament became detached, inserting an elongated clamp through the passage, clamping the ligament with the part of the clamp which projects out of the mouth of the passage, withdrawing the clamp into the passage to draw the detached end of the ligament into the passage while tensioning the ligament, and anchoring the clamp to hold the liagment under tension to permit growth of fibrous and connective tissue in the passage to join the ligament to the bone.

Abstract: Device for holding together the fractured ends of a bone in a living body, including an elongate holding member arranged to be secured to the bone and provided, for this purpose, with openings for holding connecting elements, with a certain elasticity being retained, and reinforcement members forming a unit with the holding member, extending in the length direction of the holding member and disposed along opposite sides of each opening.

Abstract: A shoulder-joint bandage having an elastic sleeve and a pair of belts which extend helically around the sleeve in opposite senses from the distal end thereof to then run along opposite lateral edges of a cap of the sleeve overlying the shoulder. The belts cross again behind the back of the patient and one belt passes around the other arm through the armpit and joins the other belt, e.g. at a buckle permitting longitudinal adjustment of the belts.

Abstract: An improved breathing regulator for a scuba diver comprises an integrated exhaust assembly having as the only removable part thereof a fastened cover for gaining access to the exhaust valve. The housing and integrated exhaust assembly reduce the cost of manufacture and increase the reliability and safety of the breathing regulator by obviating the prior art detachable exhaust tee.

Abstract: An oxygen flow controller for use in administering oxygen from a pressure-regulated source on demand to a patient through a nasal cannula is disclosed. A flow path is opened by a solenoid valve in response to the negative pressure created in the nasal canula by the patient's inhalation. The valve is opened for the interval needed to maintain an inhalation to exhalation ration of one-to-two, and the timing cycle and the open and closed duration times of the valve are made to automatically match the patient's breathing.

Abstract: A pollen protection device comprising a holder and an elastic band for retaining the holder on the face of the user so as to enclose the eyes and nose. The holder is comprised of upper and lower flange walls in which are mounted filter members having a mesh size to pass air but not pollen, with additional filters being positioned between the walls at the sides thereof. Also mounted between the flange walls at the front is a viewing lens. A protective cloth impermeable to pollen can be secured to the lower flange wall and extends downwardly over the mouth and around the neck of the user to permit inhalation through the mouth.

Abstract: A laser microsurgical method and apparatus are disclosed for safely treating occluded body lumens with laser energy. The disclosed method involves the use of pulsed laser energy from an argon-ion laser to destroy the tissue of luminal occlusions, such as atheromatous plaque and the like, with substantially no thermal necrosis of the surrounding tissue. A flexible catheter and associated laser microsurgical system is also disclosed which provides for aiming of the fibers to transmit the laser beam at the distal end of the catheter and rotational positioning of the catheter to permit coverage of virtually the entire cross-sectional area of the lumen. A lens system at the distal end of each laser fiber minimizes beam divergence and directs the beam toward the central axis of the catheter. A further embodiment of the catheter of the invention provides an array of laser fibers which are optically scanned with laser energy to cover the cross-sectional area of the lumen.