Abstract: First and second optical-redirectors mounted on a catheter couple radiation to a target along separate first and second paths. Either the first or second optical-redirectors, or both, can include a steering mechanism for selecting the first and/or second path.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a surgical instrument comprising a body formed of diamond, a cutting edge (16), and refracting means (12) through which laser radiation entering the body of the cutting blade is refracted away from a focal point. The cutting blade also includes a reflective surface (14) having a generally parabolic shape formed within the body of the cutting blade which is positioned to reflect laser radiation entering the cutting blade through the refracting means towards the curing edge of the blade.

Abstract: A laser operating system, comprising treatment laser beam projector for projecting a treatment laser beam to an affected site to be treated, sighting laser beam projector for projecting a sighting laser beam for aligning the treatment laser beam to the affected site, and an adjuster 36 for adjusting a spot diameter of the treatment laser beam, wherein output of the sighting laser beam projector is adjusted in association with adjusting operation of the adjuster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tissue treatment. A handpiece contains a light source for emitting a light beam toward the tissue. A detector detects at least one tissue parameter along a path during an initial scan. This information is stored and a map of the parameter produced. A light beam controller controls a light beam parameter and controls a deflector in order to apply the light beam to the tissue in a predetermined path.

Abstract: A device for removing gas and debris from the stroma of an eye during ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact lens that is formed with a recessed chamber. The device also includes a suction pump that is connected in fluid communication with the recessed chamber. In operation, the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens and an opening into the stroma is created. This opening is created either by the laser beam, or by a probe that is mounted on the contact lens to penetrate the stroma while the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens. Then, simultaneously or subsequently, as a laser beam is directed through the contact lens to photodisrupt tissue in the stroma the suction pump is activated to aspirate the resultant gas and debris through the opening and out of the stroma.

Abstract: A laser scalpel includes a ribbon optical waveguide extending therethrough and terminating at a slender optical cutting tip. A laser beam is emitted along the height of the cutting tip for cutting tissue therealong.

Abstract: A radiation device for therapeutic use in the human body allows the application of light waves to an affected area the body. A bulb, preferably a xenon bulb, produces light which is passed through a lens module having silicon and carbon granules therein. By applying different lenses to the device, a variation in the wavelength of light and radiation applied to an area is achieved. Each lens corresponds to a Shakra energy center. The device has a pistol-like housing to allow for controlled application of the radiation.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment part with a laser beam for treatment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a treatment light irradiation unit including a treatment light source which emits the treatment laser beam, an irradiation optical system which delivers the treatment laser beam emitted from the light source to irradiate the treatment part, and a laser emission end unit internally provided with a part of the irradiation optical system. The apparatus further includes a movement unit which moves the emission end unit with respect to the treatment part, a determination unit which determines an irradiation position of the treatment laser beam, and a control section which transmits a control signal to the movement unit based on a determination result by the determination unit and controls laser irradiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter device including an optical fiber whose distal end is disposed within a hollow tube with a sharp or syringe shaped distal end, which may be inserted into tissue. The distal end of the optical fiber and the hollow tube are configured so as to emit, by refraction (total internal reflection) or reflection from a metal surface, laser energy at an angle of about 80° to about 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and hollow tube. A first fluid channel within the distal end portion of the tube enables fluid to be infused to cool the distal end of the tube and to cool and clean the emission face of the optical fiber. A second, relatively larger diameter fluid channel in the tube enables the fluid, flowing through said first channel along with hot gasses from the vaporization of tissue, to exit the device through a second port in the tube, away from the tissue being treated.

Abstract: Light energy is utilized to shrink or tighten tissue surrounding a hollow organ, cavity, duct or naturally occurring or surgically created passage by cross-linking the collagen of the surrounding tissue and ccausing scar formation therein. The present device may be used in the esophagus in the area of the sphincter to treat GERD, in the female urethra to treat FSI or at the vesicouretal junction to treat VUR. In the present device, a plurality of plastic tubes, each containing a slidable optical fiber with a sharpened distal end, are affixed to the outer surface of a balloon, which is mounted near the distal end of a closed end catheter. The balloon catheter may be inserted into the body inside a retractable protective sheath. When the sheath is retracted, exposing the balloon, the balloon is inflated, which presses the distal ends of the plastic tubes against the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for controlling an apparatus for removing tissue from the eye performs various types of corrections using a relatively large beam, but oscillating, or dithering, that being to prevent reinforcing ridges from being formed during the tissue removal process. Further, various types of correction, such as hyperopia and astigmatism correction, are performed using a large beam that is scanned over the area to be ablated using overlapping shots. Further, the epithelium in the area to be treated is removed using an infrared fluorescent dye to dye the epithelium, and then observing the fluorescent patterns from the epithelium area to be removed. Once a certain area is no longer fluorescent after laser shots, smaller shots are then applied, selectively removing the epithelium from the remaining regions. Again, the fluorescence patterns are observed, and the process is repeated until no epithelium remains.

Abstract: A disposable lens for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a lens which has a flat anterior surface that is formed opposite a contact surface. A skirt surrounds the contact surface and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove which creates a suction channel between the skirt and the contact surface in the chamber. In its operation, the lens is positioned over the cornea and a vacuum pump is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the suction channel. Due to this partial vacuum, the cornea is drawn into the chamber where it is urged against the contact surface of the lens. The result of this is that the cornea is flattened into a configuration where the introduction of spherical aberration and coma into a light beam passing into the cornea is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus is disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe includes a reflecting surface directing the laser energy. The reflecting surface is transparent to visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting surface is on a rod cut at an angle to form a wedge, and a collimator is used to collimate the light beam before it reaches the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A laser irradiation apparatus comprising: a long and slender main body 101; an optical fiber 107, which is placed inside the main body 101 and which is equipped with a proximal end through which a laser ray is introduced and an emitting part from which the laser ray is emitted sideways or diagonally; and a reflecting member 151, which is affixed inside said main body 101 and reflects laser ray emitted from the optical fiber 107. The emitting part of the optical fiber 107 is capable of making a reciprocating motion in the lengthwise direction inside the main body 101 within the specified range. The reflecting member 151 has a reflecting surface 152 that changes its reflecting angle as the emitting part of the optical fiber 107 moves along its reciprocating movement range.

Abstract: Vascular blemishes are reduced by directing pulsed laser radiation to converge toward the blemishes in a plurality of directions, each beam of radiation being derived from a primary radiation source or from a separate radiation source, thereby to cause selective thermolysis of blood vessels in the blemishes.

Abstract: An energy irradiation apparatus for medical treatment of tissues through irradiation of energy including a long main unit, an emitting part, a power transmission member, a drive mechanism, a first engaging member, and a second engaging is disclosed. The emitting part is disposed moveably inside a distal end of the main unit for emitting energy transmitted to a distal side from a proximal side. The power transmission member is disposed moveable inside the main unit. The emitting part is mounted to a distal end of the power transmission member. The drive mechanism reciprocates the power transmission member in a longitudinal direction of the main unit. The first engaging member is provided inside the power transmission member for receiving a drive force from the drive mechanism. The second engaging member is provided in the drive mechanism for engaging removably with the first engaging member.

Abstract: Transurethral catheter (10) for the heat treatment of body tissue surrounding the catheter, including an elongated light carrier (11). A light receiving and light distributing elongated light probe (12) is operatively connected to said light carrier (11), and the light probe (12) comprises light reflecting surfaces (13) for preventing received light from escaping from the probe (12). At least one light emitting section (14) is formed in the probe (12) for emitting light into said body tissue.

Abstract: The laser irradiation apparatus 100 comprises: a long and slender main body 101; a rotating shaft 180 that is held, rotatably inside the main body 101; optical fibers 103a, 103b; multiple reflecting mirrors 181a-181f that are installed on the rotating shaft 180 and reflect the laser rays; and a drive unit 105 that drives the rotating shaft. Multiple reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f are located in different positions along the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the rotating shaft 180. The slanting angles of reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f move are set at angles that converge the reflected laser rays at a target area. The positions where reflecting mirrors 181a14 181f reflect the laser rays move along the axial direction as the rotating shaft 180 rotates. The vicinity of the target area is maintained at relatively low temperatures. In the meanwhile, the target area is heated to a specified temperature due to the convergent of the laser rays.

Abstract: Disclosed are a laser irradiation method for laser treatment performed by irradiating a treatment part of a patient with a treatment laser beam and a laser treatment apparatus for practicing the method. The method includes the steps of: setting a shape and size of an irradiation area to be irradiated with the laser beam; determining a scanning sequence of beam spots based on the shape and size of the irradiation area set in the setting step, a spot diameter of the laser beam, and a predetermined rule; and performing laser irradiation to the beam spots within the irradiation area in accordance with the scanning sequence determined in the determining step, wherein the predetermined rule is a rule that the beam spots continuously irradiated with the laser beam become nonadjacent and scanning lines continuously irradiated become nonadjacent.

Abstract: A laser irradiation apparatus including a long and slender main body, an optical fiber, a drive unit, and a reflector. The optical fiber provided is slidable inside the main body, and has a proximal end through which a laser ray is introduced and a distal end through which the laser ray is emitted. The drive unit causes the optical fiber to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction of the main body. The reflector is connected to the optical fiber and has a reflection plane for reflecting the laser ray emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber for reciprocating together with the optical fiber. The reflection plane changes its reflecting angle in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A multiple laser treatment apparatus and method is provided that includes two or more lasers. Each laser simultaneously delivers a laser treatment beam. Each laser treatment beam has at least one distinct laser beam parameter. Different means to select two or more laser treatment beams and laser beam parameters are included. The present invention further includes means to deliver the laser treatment beams in a combined treatment beam. The combined treatment beam is delivered at a substance at which the substance undergoes treatment. The present invention further includes a computer program to control and manage the simultaneous delivery of multiple laser treatment beams to a substance. Furthermore, a database that contains of a plurality of laser treatment plans is provided. The present invention enables one to simultaneously deliver a combined treatment beam to a substance with the greatest variety according to the need of a treatment of the substance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical instrument for diffusing light from an optical fiber is provided. The medical instrument includes an optical fiber having a proximal portion including a cladding layer surrounding the core and a distal portion having a diffuser tip comprising a protective coating made of acrylic or methylpentene surrounding the core, an optical coupling layer, and a sleeve. The protective coating strengthens the distal end of the optical fiber so that it can withstand a higher bending moment at failure than the uncladded core. At the same time, the protective layer has an index of refraction that is between the indices of refraction of the core and the optical coupling layer to direct light out of the core through to the optical coupling layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for scanning material with a laser beam including directing a laser beam (20) through a scanning means, wherein said scanning means includes a first lens (11) and a second lens (12) separated by a distance (16) approximately equal to the focal length of the lenses. The method includes controlling the beam (20) by moving at least one of the lenses in a plane perpendicular to the beam to scan the material. The invention also provides a scanning apparatus for scanning material with a laser beam including laser means for producing a beam of ultraviolet or infra-red light, scanning means for scanning the laser source in a predetermined pattern onto an area of the material, and controlling means for controlling the scanning means, wherein the scanning means includes two lenses, separated by approximately the focal length of one of the lenses, with at least one of the lenses movable perpendicular to the beam to scan the beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical waveguide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the waveguide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the still before or after laser irradiation.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for performing transmyocardial revascularization through the coronary arteries or veins, and a method of using this assembly for creating TMR channels through the myocardium coronary artery shunts through the myocardium and a device and method for injecting therapeutic agents into TMR channels interoperatively, together with a number of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An side irradiating type laser ray irradiation apparatus for irradiating a tissue with a laser ray having a deep transmitting capability for the purpose of treating, for example, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, cancer or other tumors. The apparatus includes an irradiating unit for reflecting the laser ray, a transporting device for transporting the irradiating unit, and an interlocking device for changing the irradiation angle of the laser ray in correspondence with the movement so that the laser ray radiated from the moving irradiating unit always passes through the same point. Since the laser ray constantly passes through a point in a deep area of the tissue, it is capable of effectively heating only the deep lesional region.

Abstract: A dental or surgical handpiece which operates on the basis of laser includes a light guide for the laser which, in order to ensure the relative rotation between supply hose and handpiece, is arranged concentrically in the coupling between the supply hose and the handpiece. The light guide of the supply hose extends in one piece into the handpiece and, starting from the coupling with the supply hose, the light guide is displaced increasingly eccentrically toward the inner side of the bend of the angle piece, and the end of the light guide is rotatably mounted in a receiving unit of the handpiece.

Abstract: A system for delivering medicaments to tissue including a delivery member and an optical fiber formed together into a unitary structure. The optical fiber has an inlet attached to a laser energy source and an outlet for emitting laser energy. The delivery member has an inlet attached to a medicament source and an outlet for injecting medicament. A handpiece is adapted to receive the ablating and injecting device in a controlled and movable relationship and may include at least one tissue stabilizing member thereon. In use, the distal end of the handpiece is placed against tissue to be ablated. The optical fiber is advanced into the tissue while emitting laser energy thereby ablating the tissue and forming a channel therein. During retraction, medicament may be injected into the channel or into the tissue surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A fluid retention assembly for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising: a matrix, wherein the matrix is fabricated from a hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal; a first excipient associated with the matrix, wherein the first excipient comprises a substantially non-ionic thickening agent; and a second excipient associated with the matrix, wherein the second excipient comprises a hydration enhancer. A method for preparing a fluid retention assembly for use in association with an iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising the steps of: providing a first excipient, wherein the first excipient comprises a substantially non-ionic thickening agent; providing a second excipient, wherein the second excipient comprises a hydration enhancer; preparing a solution of the first and second excipients in a solvent; soaking a matrix fabricated from a hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal in the prepared solution; and drying the matrix.

Abstract: A medical device applies radiant energy to tissue surrounding or underlying the surface of a duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The energy is emitted through an expandable, energy-transmissive balloon in which a fluid coolant is circulated to cool the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity and the tissue immediately underlying the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The device includes an elongated transmission line extending through a catheter, having a proximal end portion, which is connectable to a source of radiant energy, and a distal end portion, to which a radiant energy emitter is coupled. The balloon is mounted on the distal end of the catheter and extends over the emitter. The catheter contains an inlet confined fluid passageway and an outlet confined fluid passageway to provide fluid coolant circulation through the balloon. Microscopic albumen microspheres or particles of quartz or silica are suspended in the fluid coolant to more uniformly diffuse the radiant energy.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating an affected part of a patient with a treatment laser beam to treat the affected part is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical handpiece is disclosed which is connected with a laser radiation source via a beam guidance device and by which a laser beam is directed to a treatment area. The handpiece is freely movable to the laser beam source. At least one optical element with a surface which is structured in the micrometer range and which is accordingly micro-optically active is provided inside the handpiece following an exit face of the beam guidance device.

Abstract: Laser irradiation apparatus 100 comprises: a long and slender main body 101; an optical fiber 107 provided slidable inside the main body 101; a guide unit 115 that forms a curved track, along which the distal end of the optical fiber 107 slides; and a drive unit 109 that causes the optical fiber 107 to reciprocate along the axial direction of the main body 101. The drive unit 109 makes the optical fiber 107 reciprocates within a part of the curved track as a stroke length. The laser rays are irradiated while the distal end of the optical fiber 107 slides along the curved track. The irradiated laser rays crosses the target area, which is the center and its vicinity of a circle that includes the curved track. The areas surrounding the target area are maintained at relatively low temperatures as the laser ray irradiating position is constantly changing. On the other hand, the temperature of the target area rises to a specified temperature because the laser rays concentrate there.

Abstract: A device for laser treatment of painful symptomatologies with a first laser source 1, a conveying device for conveying the laser energy to a hand unit 5, and optical structure 11, 13 for defocusing the laser beam.

Abstract: The invention features systems and tools for controlling the optical penetration depth of laser energy, e.g., when delivering laser energy to target tissue in a patient. The systems and tools control the optical penetration depth (OPD) by controlling the incident angle at which the laser energy is delivered to the target area of the patient. Embodiments of the invention include an optical coupler that permit a user to vary the incident angle and thereby selectably control the OPD of incident laser energy. Fabricating the optical coupler to have a refractive index greater than that of the target tissue can enhance the range of selectable OPDs. The laser energy, which is delivered to the desired depth, can cause alteration of the target tissue by, e.g., heating, ablation, and/or photochemical reaction.

Abstract: This invention concerns a lateral-irradiation type laser irradiation device which is capable of effectively irradiating a target site, particularly at a considerable deth, with a laser beam while infallibly and easily preventing normal tissue from injury/and a method for curing prostate gland by the use of the laser irradiation device. The laser irradiating device 1 moves either or both of the laser probes 3, 4 having the reflecting mirrors 32, 42 provided at the distal end parts of the optical fibers 31, 41 in the longitudinal direction of the sheath 2 so as to alter the interval between the reflecting mirrors 32, 42 and move the position at which the reflected laser beams are concentrated (condensed), namely the target position 5 moves, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath 2.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preforming laser thermal keratoplasty capable of treating treatment areas with shapes that reduce regression. Both contact and non-contact apparatuses and methods are provided. The apparatus includes laser sources, a projection optical system, observation system, and control system. In some embodiments, the projection system uses two steering mirrors or a mask to control laser beam position on the cornea. This projection system enables precise control of the area of corneal heat shrinkage using relatively low-powered lasers, such as diode lasers. Desired changes in corneal refractive power are produced by selected patterns of photothermal shrinkage of corneal collagen tissue. The selected patterns are arrangements of oblong shapes that are preferably tapered at the ends of the long axis. The oblong shape and tapering distribute tension in the cornea over a wider area of collagen shrinkage and improve the stability of refractive correction.

Abstract: A lasing device for performing a myringotomy or like procedure is provided. The distal end portion of an optical fiber used to transmit a laser energy beam to the surgical site is covered with a disposable, removably mounted sheath, whose distal end is substantially transparent to the wavelength of laser energy being emitted through the optical fiber. Optionally, a relatively low power aiming beam can be emitted coaxially with the laser energy beam.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of ocular collagen connective tissue comprises identifying a portion of the ocular collagen connective tissue having a connector portion which transitions into the ciliary muscle and the lens of an eye. A source of energy is then directed at at least one selected site along the portion of the connective tissue, the amount of energy being sufficient to cause longitudinal shrinkage in the length of connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser light irradiating apparatus in which the laser light is not liable to act upon the tissue other than the target tissue to be irradiated with Laser light and gives less heat feeling to the living tissue to be irradiated. The laser light irradiating apparatus comprises an optical fiber 3 having its rear end upon which the laser light is incident from said laser light supplying means and its front end from which the laser light is emitted; a handpiece 1 for holding said optical fiber 3; and means for injecting a laser light absorbing liquid in which a laser light absorbing material which causes photodecomposition thereof with said laser light is dispersed toward an target position to be irradiated on which the laser light L emitted from the front end of said optical fiber 3 is impinged.

Abstract: To provide a medical energy irradiation apparatus which, having a simple and inexpensively manufacturable structure, enables a doctor using it in the heat curing of prostatic hypertrophy or the like to accurately and stably irradiate a prescribed site deep in a living body with a laser beam and, even if its observation window is smeared, to observe tissues of a living body. An inserting portion of the medical energy irradiation apparatus to be inserted into a living body according to the invention has an emitting portion for emitting a laser beam toward tissues of the living body; an observation window, provided near the tip of the inserting portion in its inserting direction, for observing the tissues of the living body; and a hollow pipe for supporting a supporting member, which supports the emitting portion, shiftably in the lengthwise directions of the inserting portion and feeding detergent to the observation window.

Abstract: A system for treating a selected dermatologic problem and a head for use with such system are provided. The head may include an optical waveguide having a first end to which EM radiation appropriate for treating the condition is applied. The waveguide also has a skin-contacting second end opposite the first end, a temperature sensor being located within a few millimeters, and preferably within 1 to 2 millimeters, of the second end of the waveguide. A temperature sensor may be similarly located in other skin contacting portions of the head. A mechanism is preferably also provided for removing heat from the waveguide and, for preferred embodiments, the second end of the head which is in contact with the skin has a reflection aperture which is substantially as great as the radiation back-scatter aperture from the patient's skin.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system includes a laser for producing a laser beam capable of making refractive corrections, an optical system for shaping and conditioning the laser beam, a digital micromirror device (DMD) for reflecting the shaped and conditioned beam toward the eye, a computer system for controlling the mirrors of the DMD, and an eye tracking system which tracks the position of the eye and provides feedback to the computer system. The computer system includes software which permits the DMD to emulate the patterns and laser beam control provided in all prior art broadbeam systems and scanning spot systems. All that is required is a selection in the software to operate thereunder. Moreover, the laser surgery system can be coupled to or adapted to receive data from corneal topographers or wavefront sensor systems and utilize such data to increase the quality of correction above and beyond prior approaches. Furthermore, the laser surgery system can provide much greater resolution than prior art systems.

Abstract: A technique for laser sculpting a predetermined shape on an exposed corneal surface by ablating a sequence of consistently curved craters with individual pulses of a laser beam. An initial laser beam energy pattern is shaped by a laser beam shaping element to make a consistently curved laser beam energy pattern. The consistently curved laser beam ablates a consistently curved crater in the surface with a single pulse of the laser beam. A computer controls the position of the laser beam and scans the laser beam over the surface to sculpt the predetermined shape in an ablation zone on the exposed surface. A sequence of partially overlapping craters is distributed over the ablation zone. In some embodiments diffractive optics are used as a beam shaping element. In additional embodiments, the consistently curved crater is a uniformly curved spherical crater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing or treating prostatic tissue in a human or animal patient which comprises sensitizing the prostatic tissue with an effective amount of a photosensitive composition which accumulates in the prostatic tissue and exposing the sensitized tissue to a source of light energy for a predetermined time and intensity sufficient to cause cellular and/or tissue function of the sensitized prostatic tissue to diminish or cease.

Abstract: A flexible microwave antenna assembly for a surgical ablation instrument capable of conforming to a tissue surface for ablation thereof. The ablation instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source. The antenna assembly includes a flexible antenna coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. A flexible shield device is coupled to the antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed generally in a predetermined direction. A flexible insulator is disposed between the shield device and the antenna which defines a window portion enabling the transmission of the directed electric field in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A laser probe has a central channel running substantially the length of the probe from one portion to a distal portion with an angled-cut section. The angled-cut section has a diameter sufficiently small to be inserted between a tooth surface and adjacent gum tissue. The channel may either include an optical fiber or may be hollow.

Abstract: The controller 6 in the apparatus 10 for thermotherapy automatically computes the power P of the laser beam and the flow volume Q of the refrigerant forwarded to the main body 110 as the therapeutic conditions required for effecting the thermotherapy. The controller 6 delivers control signals to the laser beam generating device 2 and the refrigerant circulating device 4, depending on the therapeutic conditions obtained as described above. The therapeutic conditions thus set are displayed on the monitor 7 together with the input information introduced into the operating part 8. The controller 6 is further capable of automatically computing the therapeutic conditions required for effecting the thermotherapy based on the minimum distance d1 and the maximum distance d2 between the laser beam emitting terminal 111a, namely the surface of the surface layer 21, and the target site 30.

Abstract: Laser eye surgery systems, methods, and devices makes use of a two-pivot scanning system for laterally deflecting the laser beam across the corneal surface to provide X-Y scanning. An imaging lens pivots about two eccentric axes extending along, but disposed beyond the laser beam. As the lens pivots, the beam will follow a substantially arc-shaped path. The eccentric axes are offset about the laser beam axis by about 90°, and the system controller can compensate for the arc-shaped path deflections by adjusting the angular position of the imaging lens about complementary stage.