Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a vein access, particularly on the human body, wherein at first the area of the skin surface (1) surrounding the vein access is disinfected, than the epiderm (3) is penetrated and the vein (4) opened and wherein finally a cannula part (5) is inserted in the vein (4). Further the invention relates to a device for implementing the method. Thereby the penetration of the epiderm (3) and/or the opening of the vein (4) are performed by a cutting device (6) operating with electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A hand-held laser light generator device includes a wand, a semiconductor diode laser for generating a beam of laser light, an optical arrangement, a housing having an interior chamber, a battery in the housing interior chamber, an electrical cord connecting the laser in the wand with the battery in the housing, an electronic timing circuit, a start switch and a selector knob. The wand, capable of being retained in a user's hand, is an elongated hollow tube and defines an interior cavity. The laser is mounted in the wand interior cavity and therewith is freely movable so as to enable the user to direct the beam of laser light onto a desired location. The optical arrangement mounted in the wand interior cavity receives and transforms the generated beam of laser light into a line of laser light. The electrical timing circuit is disposed in the housing interior chamber and mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optimizing a laser light fractionation during photodynamic therapy of a tumor. The tumor is destroyed through the production of singlet oxygen and successful photodynamic therapy treatment requires the maintenance of tumor oxygen above a specified critical level. Depending on the tumor, the photosensitizer concentration, and the laser fluence, sustained irradiation of the tumor will deplete the oxygen below the critical level. When the laser is turned off, oxygen diffuses into the tumor to provide sustained levels of singlet oxygen. The control system controls the operation cycle of the laser and the various surgical parameters. Data regarding the sensitizer, the laser characteristics, and the oxygen features of the tumor are input into the control system for simulation of the PDT treatment. As part of the simulation, the optimal fractionation cycle for the laser is predicted. The data may be adjusted for conducting additional simulations.

Abstract: A device for use in laser surgical procedures for moving axially an optical fiber element that is connected at its proximal end to a source of laser energy. The distal end of the fiber elements with a cooperating piercing tip member has a tapered configuration so that it is capable of penetrating soft tissue of membrane such as the myocardium or epicardium of a human heart during the revascularization procedure. Various combinations of bundled optical fiber elements are disclosed which provide different tapered distal end designs that can be used in various surgical procedures.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic surgical microscope which is combined internally with an optical coherence tomography ("OCT") apparatus wherein auto-focusing is provided by driving a motorized internal focusing lens of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope with a signal output from the OCT apparatus. An embodiment of the inventive ophthalmologic surgical microscope includes: (a) an optical coherence tomography ("OCT") apparatus; (b) a beamcombiner for internally coupling output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope; and (c) a motor for moving an internal focusing lens of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope in response to a signal from the OCT apparatus, whereby the ophthalmologic surgical microscope is auto-focused.

Abstract: Cryogen spray cooling of skin surface with millisecond cryogen spurts is an effective method for establishing a controlled temperature distribution in tissue and protecting the epidermis from nonspecific thermal injury during laser mediated dermatological procedures. Control of humidity level, spraying distance and cryogen boiling point is material to the resulting surface temperature. Decreasing the ambient humidity level results in less ice formation on the skin surface without altering the surface temperature during the cryogen spurt. For a particular delivery nozzle, increasing the spraying distance to 85 millimeters lowers the surface temperature. The methodology comprises establishing a controlled humidity level in the theater of operation of the irradiation site of the biological tissues before and/or during the cryogenic spray cooling of the biological tissue. At cold temperatures calibration was achieved by mounting a thermistor on a thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A method and system are described for performing photorefractive keratectomy procedure employing pulses of photoablative radiation to selectively ablate corneal tissue of a patient's eye in an ablation zone on the anterior corneal surface to produce a desired refractive correction in the corneal tissue. The method and system employ control of the effect of ocular fluid at the corneal surface so as to reduce the disturbance of such fluid on the desired ablation process while maintaining hydration of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser conducting probe is used for photodynamic therapy. In this fiber optic laser conducting probe, an optical fiber has an end used for conducting a pulse laser beam. The laser beam is conducted through the optical fiber and irradiated from the end. A end tip is made of polyamide resin. The end tip has a hollow portion, and is attached to the end of the optical fiber such that the pulse laser beam can be irradiated through the end of the optical fiber, through the hollow portion and through the end tip.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user programmable combination of atomized particles allows for user control of various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may also be controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energy source parameters. Applications for the cutting mechanism include medical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning) and any other environments where an objective is to precisely remove surface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cutting parameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. The cutting mechanism further does not require any films of water or any particularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllable cutting.

Abstract: A laser-powered fiberoptic heating element comprises a crystalline optic fiber fusion bonded to a crystalline heat-generating tip section.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for removing hard and soft tissue from a narrow channel has at its cutting end a configuration that causes the laser light to emerge in an annular region and not apically.

Abstract: Myocardial revascularization is performed by an apparatus and method which forms channels in the myocardium from inside the ventricular cavity without penetrating the full thickness of the ventricular wall. A catheter has a fiber optic connected at its handling end to a laser, and terminates at the insertable end of the catheter. A servomotor controls the advancing of the fiber to stop positions relative to the catheter. At each stop position another channel is created. An aiming beam aids in directing the channel forming fiber end to different desired channel positions.

Abstract: A laser photo optic breakdown probe and handpiece system especially suited for small-incision cataract removal including an optical fiber through which a pulsed source of laser energy is delivered to a target spaced from the distal end of the fiber. The fiber is routed through a first guide tube with the target mounted at an angle on the end thereof. Holes are provided in the guide tube for the flow of infusion fluid therethrough. A second aspiration tube surrounds and provides rigidity to the guide tube, shields the distal end of the fiber and target, and serves as a channel for aspirated fluids and dislodged cataractous material. The guide tube is affixed to a transfer housing to which infusion and aspiration connections are made. The aspiration tube forms part of a handle assembly which is detachably coupled to the transfer housing.

Abstract: A system (2) includes broadly a catheter assembly (6) and a drive assembly (4). The catheter assembly includes a hollow sheath (20) housing a connecting element, typically a drive cable (22), with an operative element, such as a transducer (24), towards its distal end (26). The drive assembly is adapted to move the connecting element longitudinally within the hollow sheath. The drive assembly includes a main body (8) to which a proximal assembly, such as a rotary drive assembly (16), connected to the proximal end (28) of the connecting element, is mounted for longitudinal movement along the main body. The main body also has an anchor element (32) which is used to secure the sheath to the main body. A longitudinal drive motor (40) is carried by the main body and drives the proximal assembly along the main body.

Abstract: A portable laser device for obtaining blood samples through the skin of humans or animals. A laser crystal is optically pumped to produce a short high power laser pulse which vaporizes a small hole in the skin. The pulse is shaped to produce a pulse cross section at a sampling location which has a long dimension and a short dimension similar to a blade cut.

Abstract: A method of treating the interior surface of a body cavity of a patient using an optical fiber having at its distal end a tip which partially absorbs and partially emits laser radiation supplied to the tip by the optical fiber. The distal end of the optical fiber is inserted into the cavity. An irrigating fluid is introduced into the cavity, wherein the fluid irrigates the interior surface. The irrigating fluid is in heat-transfer relationship with the tip. The irrigation fluid is heated by supplying laser radiation to the tip whereby laser radiation absorbed by the tip raises the temperature of the tip and the surrounding irrigating fluid. The surface of the body cavity to be treated is selectably exposed with the laser radiation for thermally and optically treating said surface.

Abstract: A laser system and method are described that will effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal disease in felines, particularly in situations where the disease has progressed to advanced stages of periodontitis and feline lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis stomatitis. A laser system is employed to achieve precision in surgical procedures where the working field is limited due to the anatomical structure of a feline's mouth. The laser system is also capable of effectively sealing tubules and of eradicating bacteria in the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, the laser therapy can be preceded by pretreatment methods to effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal diseases.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus are provided for simulating a laser treatment on the eye by pretreating a contact lens. A proposed laser treatment is developed using a patient's eye data. That laser treatment is then performed by an excimer laser system onto a contact lens blank. The lens blank is then placed on the patient's eye and the patient's resulting visual acuity are measured. If within acceptable limits, the treatment is then performed on the patient's eye. Otherwise, the treatment pattern is adjusted and the either original lens profiled with the difference or a new lens profiled with the new treatment pattern. This is repeated until the error falls within acceptable limits. Alternatively, spectacle lenses can be used instead of contact lenses.

Abstract: A compact, hand-held, rechargeable, tunable, self-contained laser instrument is presented for use in dentistry, oral surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other medical procedures such as sterilization and curing of photo-polymerizable materials. The inventive instrument includes microchip lasers that consume at most 10 Watts and generate a peak output laser beam power of at least 20 mWatts that is adjustable to the light absorbing characteristics of the target material. Laser microchips, pumping laser, thermo-electric heat exchanger, rechargeable batteries, and laser optics are all contained within the same housing which is cordless, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A process for the permanent destruction of unwanted human hair. Hair duct in a section of skin in which the unwanted hair is growing is contaminated with a contaminant having a very large number of small particles having a high absorption at at least one frequency band of light. The skin section is then illuminated with a series of short pulses of light at the frequency band of high absorption, the first of the short pulses having sufficient energy to cause a large number of the particles to explode into two or more fragments so as to spread said contaminant in the hair ducts and subsequent pulses having sufficient energy to cause a large number of the fragments to further explode into additional fragments to further spread the contaminant in the hair duct. The explosions and energy is transferred to and from the particles and fragments causing damage to skin tissue surrounding said hair ducts so as to cause death to the hairs growing in the ducts.

Abstract: A laser dermatome is disclosed for harvesting and meshing grafts of skin. A roller driven by a motor lifts the leading edge of a portion of skin for cutting by a beam of light generated by a laser. Adhesive tape attached to the roller aids in lifting the portion of skin and is further utilized to secure the severed portion of skin to the roller. A stage mounted atop an axle supports the laser or a beam director. The movement of the stage is controlled by second and third motors which drive the stage along or rotate it about the axle providing directional control of the laser. A controller controls the motors and synchronizes the movements of the roller and stage dependent upon inputs from the operator and sensors during operation. In the related method, a portion of skin to be harvested is lifted by the roller and cut by the laser beam. The controller signals the motor to drive the roller, thereby lifting the severed portion of skin and exposing the next portion for further cutting by the laser.

Abstract: A surgical needle with an open distal port at which tissue to be fractured is positioned contains an optical fiber for providing pulses of laser energy and a titanium target that receives these pulses. The target converts the energy in the electromagnetic pulses to shockwaves that impinge on the tissue at the port causing the tissue to fracture. The target has one or more steps such that vaporization of the target by the laser pulses leaves a surface which directly faces the port so that the continued conversion of laser energy to mechanical shockwaves will provide shockwaves that are not blocked in traveling to the port at which the tissue is located.

Abstract: A method of positioning a catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter. The catheter is inserted in a passage and sensed through the luminal wall to correctly determine its position. As applied to prevent hemorrhage during surgery the method involves inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted sensing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the already-positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. In one aspect, a flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned at the tip or in the vicinity of the balloon.

Abstract: A process for treating relatively deep formations of undesirable sub-epidermal tissue by heating water in the formations with a laser to denature proteins therein. In an exemplary embodiment, a laser beam is operated to irradiate a target region of highly vascularized dermal tissue in a blood-circulating living being, such as a human. The laser light preferably has a wavelength of about 1.45-1.68 .mu.m. This operating parameter provides the laser beam with a low enough water absorption coefficient to facilitate adequate penetration in to the target area while still providing enough energy to heat water to a temperature capable of spatially conforming vascularized tissue in the target area.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting concealed blood vessels including a handpiece having a passage for transmitting a laser beam and a detector housing at the distal end of the handpiece, the housing including a common electrode, a plurality of segmented electrodes spaced from the common electrode and between the common electrode and the segmented electrodes a plurality of four sensitive elements having an electrical characteristic which varies with the force applied; and an indicator device responsive to variations in the electrical characteristic for representing the presence of a concealed vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing hair is disclosed. The method includes the step of producing a plurality of pulses of incoherent electromagnetic energy. The delay between pulses is in the range of 0.1 msec to 100 msec. The incoherent electromagnetic energy is then coupled to an area of surface of the tissue that includes more than one hair follicle. One or more filters are used to provide energy having a wavelength selected in accordance with the color of the hair. The method may alternatively include the step of applying a gel on a surface of the tissue to cool the tissue. The energy heats the hairs and hair follicles, without heating the tissue. The apparatus includes a source of pulsed incoherent electromagnetic energy. The source is located within a housing, and a coupler directs the incoherent electromagnetic energy to the surface of the tissue.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for ablating surface lesions is disclosed. The process is unique because of the ability to precisely excise complex topographies without blood loss, gated by the degree of surface small vessel blood flow via detection of Doppler shift. The most fitting application is the immediate, bloodless, and precise excision of thermal burn wounds, hitherto impossible and extremely desirable. A variation of the invention is disclosed which incorporates gating both by surface small vessel blood flow and fluorescence tagging. This embodiment has particular application in ablating neoplasms.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for a transverse tracker is described that can greatly improve the accuracy, speed, range, reliability, versatility, safety, and efficacy of interventions such as laser microsurgery. The present invention provides means for stabilizing the motion of targets in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, thus allowing an imaging system, diagnostics illumination, and/or laser beam to maintain a lock on the target area, regardless of its movement. Unique attributes provided in the tracking system include means for (1) sensing contrast in recognizable large scale boundaries such as the change between the cornea/sclera interface (limbus), thereby to determine the absolute location and orientation of these boundaries, all without having to resort to digital sampling techniques and (2) dual mode operation of an electronic control system compatible with all analog technologies, thereby substantially increasing the speed of operations over other, comparable digital method.

Abstract: A medical optical system includes an observation optical system for guiding light emitted from a light source to a predetermined part to be illuminated, and causing light reflected from the predetermined part to be incident on the observation optical system. The medical optical system further includes a light separator, a guide optical system, and a display unit. The light separator is disposed at an intermediate part of the observation optical system, for separating the reflected light into reflected light of a visible observation wavelength area to be passed therethrough and reflected light or fluorescent light of the other wavelength area to be extracted therefrom. The guide optical system guides the light separated and extracted by the light separator to an image pick-up device so that an image of the separated light is formed on the image pick-up device. And the display unit displays the separated light image picked up by the image pick-up device.

Abstract: A manual and automatic fluid control system and method for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery is disclosed. The system includes a manual mode along with several automatic modes which can effectuate both suction and irrigation, either individually or simultaneously. In the various automatic modes, the suction and/or irrigation is automatically activated during activation of a medical apparatus for laser surgery or electrosurgery without requiring separate activation from the surgeon or operating room staff. Several safety features for monitoring the fluid control system are also incorporated within the system such as fluid sensors for detecting the absence of irrigation fluid, pressure sensors and vacuum systems for monitoring fluid pressure, fluid sensors for monitoring fluid volume, and warning signals for detecting empty containers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selective marking using natural or artificial light (10) includes a semi-rigid, flexible design (12) with thread holes (14) in the periphery. A beveled edge (16) is provided around the design edge so that top (18) angles away from bottom (20) along the beveled edge (16). Additionally, a gripping edge (22) is provided so that when the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) is attached to a user's clothing and the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) is brought in contact in the location desired on the user's skin, the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) does not slip or move from its original position. In a preferred embodiment, a universal retainer (24) is provided with interior space (26) and retaining edge (28) for removably receiving a variety of different semi-rigid, flexible designs (12). When exposed to natural or artificial light, a tatoo-like design is created. In another embodiment, a non-threaded, permanent retainer (36) is provided with flexible retaining posts (38).

Abstract: The present invention provides a very simple easily administered skin treatment process for (1) the removal of superficial epidermal skin cells in the human skin (2) the reduction or removal of unwanted hair and (3) the mitigation of skin conditions such as acne and seborrhea. A contaminant having a high absorption at at least one wavelength of light is topically applied to a section of the surface of the skin. A preferred contaminant is a mixture of 20% by weight of one micron graphite particles in mineral oil. Graphite is a very strong absorber of 1.06 micron light produced by the Nd:YAG laser. Portions of the contaminant are forced to infiltrate into spaces between the superficial epidermal cells, into hair ducts in the skin and into and/or adjacent to sebaceous glands. The skin section is illuminated with short laser pulses at the matching wavelength, so as to impact sufficient energy to the contaminant to cause explosion in the contaminant.

Abstract: Dynamically cooling the epidermis of a port wine stain patient undergoing laser therapy permits maximization of the thermal damage to the port wine stain while at the same time minimizing nonspecific injury to the normal overlying epidermis. A cryogenic spurt is applied to the skin surface for a predetermined short period of time in the order of tens of milliseconds so that the cooling remains localized in epidermis while leaving the temperature of deeper port wine stain vessels substantially unchanged. The result is that epidermal denaturation and necrosis which normally occurs in uncooled laser irradiated skin sites does not occur and that clinically significant blanching of the port wine stains at the dynamically cooled sites establishes that selective laser photothermolysis of the port wine stain blood vessels is achieved. In addition, dynamic epidermal cooling reduces patient discomfort normally associated with flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser therapy.

Abstract: A method for treating wrinkles in skin involves the use of a beam of puls scanned or gated continuous wave laser or incoherent radiation. The method comprises generating a beam of radiation, directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, and thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region. The beam of radiation has a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns. The method may include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region while partially denaturing the collagen in the targeted dermal region. The method may also include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region prior to thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region.

Abstract: A light curing gun for dental filling material includes a conical light concentrator element and a water filed chamber between the light source and the concentrator element. The water increases the collection of light as well as cooling the concentrator and filtering out light in the infrared portion of the spectrum. A water cooling jacket may also be provided around the light source and may be coupled to the water window so that water can be circulated through both the window and the water jacket.

Abstract: A device for the external medical treatment with the aid of light, including a light emitting element which is intended to lie against or be held close to a wound or sore on the body of an individual, and a drive arrangement for driving the light emitting element, wherein the light emitting element includes light emitting diodes or like devices and is constructed to emit infrared light. The arrangement (8, 9, 19) is constructed to cause the light emitting element (1) to emit infrared light in a first stage for a first predetermined length of time and thereafter to emit visible light in a second stage for a second predetermined length of time. The drive arrangement (8, 9, 10) is also constructed to cause the light emitting element (1) to pulsate the emitted infrared light and the emitted visible light respectively in accordance with a predetermined series of pulse frequencies over the predetermined time periods.

Abstract: A surgical technique for removing corneal tissue with scanned infrared radiation is disclosed which utilizes short mid-infrared laser pulses to provide a tissue removal mechanism based on photospallation. Photospallation is a photomechanical ablation mechanism which results from the absorption of incident radiation by the corneal tissue. Since photospallation is a mechanical ablation process, very little heat is generated in the unablated adjacent tissue. The disclosed surgical system includes a scanning beam delivery system which allows uniform irradiation of the treatment region and utilizes low energy outputs to achieve controlled tissue removal. A real-time servo-controlled dynamic eye tracker, based on a multiple-detector arrangement, is also disclosed which senses the motion of the eye and provides signals that are proportional to the errors in the lateral alignment of the eye relative to the axis of the laser beam.

Abstract: Optical localization fiber embodiments (200, 260, 270, 290, 310, 330, and 350) suitable for preoperative localization of soft tissue lesions by X-ray mammography, CT MRI, ultrasonography or nuclear medicine are provided. In these embodiments at least one hook is carried by an optical fiber for retention in soft tissue. The tip of the optical fiber is visible through the soft tissue when the origin of the optical fiber is attached to a light source. Embodiments include dual hooks (224, 226) attached through a hole (214) in the tip portion (206), a hook (262) fused to the tip (264), a hook (272) glued to the tip (274), a hook (292) held on by a cap (294), a hook (312) screwed into the tip (320), a hook (340) held in a bore in the tip portion (336) by cement, and a hook (358) in a groove (352). A supplemental optical fiber probe (250) provides a method for locating the fibers inside soft tissue.

Abstract: A two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator in which a first pulse delivered by a first optical waveguide is used to irradiate a liquid-containing region to form a vapor bubble; a second pulse, delivered by a second optical waveguide, is then passed through the vapor bubble and used to incise a tissue of a patient. The illuminating device can be used to effectively deliver radiation to tissue positioned laterally relative to the axis of the delivery fibers, and allows a reduction in the attenuation of the radiation by the surrounding liquid.

Abstract: There is provided a side-emitting optical fiber having a proximal end for receiving radiation and a distal end for emitting the radiation in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the fiber via a radiation exit region at the distal end; characterized in that the outer surface of the distal end of the a glass cap is formed with a visually discernible surface formation which is narrow at one end thereof and which increases in width towards the opposite end thereof, to thereby enable visually discerning the orientation of the optical fiber with respect to the radiation exit region thereof.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conducting microsurgery on human or animal tissue which includes alternately providing an Argon laser beam pulse and a YAG laser beam pulse in a cycle which is equal to or less than one second. A robotic device including piston and cylinder arrangements is provided for activating the control keys on a control panel associated with the Argon and YAG lasers.

Abstract: An optical system which utilizes a conventional light source to produce a narrowly focused beam of radiation having intensity similar to that produced by a laser. The system broadly includes an omnidirectional light source and an elliptical reflector, wherein the physical parameters of the light source and the reflector are matched to produce a narrowly focused beam of intense radiation. The light produced by the system is coupled into a fiber optic system for delivery to the target area. In one embodiment, a mirrored surface having an aperture therein is placed at a point near the second focal point of the reflector. The aperture is positioned such that only rays meeting predetermined geometrical exit criteria can pass through the aperture and be accepted by the fiber optic located at the second focal point. Those rays which do not meet the exit criteria are reflected by the mirrored surface toward the interior of the cavity.

Abstract: A laser levelling device for use in conjunction with apparatus for evaluation of compartment pressures of a patient, and a process. The evaluation includes at least one of diagnosis, monitoring and drainage, especially using intracranial, intravascular, intracardiac, intrapulmonary or intrafascial compartments of a patient.

Abstract: A target region of tissue is destroyed by saturating the region with light-absorbing material, reducing the temperature of the region, and disintegrating the region with a light source. One means for carrying out these steps is a multi-channel delivery needle having a primary transport line, a waveguide lengthwise connected to the primary transport line, and one or more auxiliary lines lengthwise connected to the primary transport line. The tubes and waveguide define a sharpened common end to assist the needle in entering the skin and penetrating flesh necessary to reach the target region.

Abstract: A corneal sculpting system utilized for performing surgery to reshape the cornea of the eye. The system includes a laser delivery system that is coupled to a filter positioning system and a corneal topography system. The filter positioning system suspends a sculpting filter above the surface of the cornea. The sculpting filter controls the level of tissue removal that occurs in each area of the cornea by absorbing a certain percentage of the incident laser energy in various areas of the filter. The positioning system also has a conduit for delivering water to the corneal surface. A thin layer of water is heated by the application of the laser to cause microexplosions that dislodge and propel the tissue to ablate the cornea. The corneal topography system provides real time feedback on the curvature of the cornea, before during and after the surgery.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user programmable combination of atomized particles allows for user control of various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may also be controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energy source parameters. Applications for the cutting mechanism include medical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning) and any other environments where an objective is to precisely remove surface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cutting parameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. The cutting mechanism further does not require any films of water or any particularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllable cutting.

Abstract: An optical probe configured for insertion into the anterior chamber of an eye, adjacent to the cataractous lens of the eye, comprises an optical source, and an optical waveguide connected to deliver optical radiation from the source to the probe. The optical radiation is in the form of pulses which have a repetition rate, a wavelength and an optical energy selected to cause significant ablation-induced damage to the lens within an ablation zone, and significant acoustic-induced damage to the lens within an acoustic zone, such that the acoustic zone is significantly larger in size than the ablation zone. The acoustic zone is created by generating shock waves which radiate from the ablation zone and propagate through hard nuclear material of the cataractous lens, such that the nuclear material is microfractured.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) is provided having a substantially cylindrical support to which is attached a removable, multi-sided head. Each side of the head has an array of light-emitting diodes that provide monochromatic light to activate a photosensitive dye. The apparatus may be used in invasive surgery to treat brain tumors and the like. The apparatus may be used for topical treatments by providing a removable reflector over the light-emitting head. The temperature of the head is controlled, and the head is cooled by circulating cooling fluid through the head. The use of the cooling fluid allows the LEDs to be driven beyond their rated capacity. The catheter may also include an expandable light diffuser that is affixed over the light-emitting head and that is filled with a diffuser fluid such as a lipid solution. The apparatus may also be used to provide radiant energy to plants or to patients in non-PDT applications.

Abstract: A coronary light probe and method of use are disclosed. The light probe has an elongate portion with fiber-optic cables for conveying light to a distal tip of the probe. The cables are disposed so as to laterally emit light at the distal tip so that when the probe is disposed in a vessel, the light emitted from the distal tip illuminates the vessel adjacent the distal tip. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the probe has a plurality of light emitting mechanisms disposed about the sides thereof proximal to the distal tip so that the light emitting mechanisms illuminate several portions of the vessel. The probe may to used to determine the location of blocking structures within a vessel, or simply to illuminate the vessel to prevent accidental laceration during surgery.

Abstract: A method for modifying the curvature of a live cornea to correct a patient's vision. First, at least one relatively small opening is made in the cornea for inserting a fiber optic cable or micro-cutting tool therein to create a pocket or cavity with first and second opposed internal surfaces. The laser beam or micro-cutting tool can be directed onto one of the first and second internal surfaces, or both, if needed or desired to incrementally and sequentially ablate or remove three-dimensional portions of the cornea. If a laser beam is used, then a flexible template can be inserted into the opening in the cornea for accurately controlling the pattern to be ablated within the cornea. Preferably, the live cornea is then left alone to collapse and obtain its new refractive power by waiting a set period of time. After waiting the set period of time, the cornea is then examined to determine the new refractive power of the cornea.