There is provided a process for treatment of rhinitis by diode laser ablation of the posterior nasal nerves. The laser diode delivery device with elongated optic tip is inserted through a patient's nostril and has the length, flexibility and a curvature to reach both above and under the patient's middle turbinate for treatment to both posterior nasal nerves. Skin and tissue temperature is raised to approximately 60-65 C. with the process. Optimal treatment wavelength was found to be approximately 940 nanometers.

A plastic optical fiber is excellent in translucency, heat resistance, resistance to environment and the like, and has highly excellent flexibility. The plastic optical fiber contains a core and at least one layer of cladding, wherein the bending elastic modulus of the innermost layer of the cladding is 20 to 70 MPa, the glass transition temperature of the innermost layer of the cladding is 10 C. or lower, and the storage elastic modulus of the innermost layer of the cladding at 30 C. is 110.sup.6 Pa to 410.sup.7 Pa.

A laser device for dermocosmetic, medical, or aesthetic treatments, comprising: A) a laser system comprising a lamp-pumped source; B) an optical fibre transporting the laser beam produced by said source; C) a handpiece or a scanner connected to said optical fibre, comprising a lens and mirror system projecting the image of the laser beam onto the area to be treated; characterized in that said optical fibre has a rectangular section and said image is rectangular.

A method of dermocosmetic laser treatment characterized by rectangular laser spots is also claimed.

It is a further object of the present invention a tracing kit, which allows the marking of a surface area, preferably of biological tissue, with a fluorescent or photosensitive substance invisible to light. Such an invisible and fluorescent or photosensitive substance absorbs the electromagnetic radiation with the proper wavelength emitted by the illuminator and reflects it in the visible spectrum.

Disclosed is a device for interstitial laser therapy. The device comprises an optical waveguide extending about a central longitudinal axis and having an optical output end; an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associate with, or positioned about the optical output end, wherein the optical diffuser comprises a housing having an open end for receiving the optical output end and a first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide; and a temperature sensor interposed, positioned or located between the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface of the housing, and preferably within the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide. The optical diffuser can be provided with one or more holes, one or more slits, one or more openings, and/or one or more vents. The device can also include a second temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a system for interstitial laser therapy.

A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed in the flexible housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

An optical fiber that includes an up taper section such that a predetermined length of the distal end of the optical fiber has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the optical fiber at a proximal end. A portion of the optical fiber is heated to include an up taper section between the distal and proximal ends of the topical fiber.

A laser device for dermocosmetic, medical, or aesthetic treatments, comprising: A) a laser system comprising a lamp-pumped source; B) an optical fibre transporting the laser beam produced by said source; C) a handpiece or a scanner connected to said optical fibre, comprising a lens and mirror system projecting the image of the laser beam onto the area to be treated; characterized in that said optical fibre has a rectangular section and said image is rectangular. A method of dermocosmetic laser treatment characterized by rectangular laser spots is also claimed. It is a further object of the present invention a tracing kit, which allows the marking of a surface area, preferably of biological tissue, with a fluorescent or photosensitive substance invisible to light. Such an invisible and fluorescent or photosensitive substance absorbs the electromagnetic radiation with the proper wavelength emitted by the illuminator and reflects it in the visible spectrum.

One described aspect is an optical fiber comprising: a fiber core that extends along a fiber axis, is configured to transmit a laser energy along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end with an angled distal face; a jacket that surrounds a proximal portion of the fiber core along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end located proximal of the angled distal face; a fiber tip including a proximal end with an angled distal face; and a reflector including a proximal face attached to the angled distal face of the fiber core, a distal face attached to the angled proximal face of the fiber tip, and at least one layer configured to direct the laser energy out of the fiber core along a laser axis generally transverse with the fiber axis, wherein the optical fiber tapers along the fiber axis. Associated laser systems are also disclosed.

Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device.

Devices, systems, and methods for placing orthopedic implants are disclosed. In one aspect, a tool for laser assisted placement of an orthopedic implant includes a cannulated body having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannulated body includes an inner channel extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tool also includes an optical cable arranged within the inner channel of the cannulated body, and a tip arranged at the distal end of the cannulated body. The tip is configured to allow passage of laser radiation through the distal end of the cannulated body.