Systems for treatment of glaucoma comprise an excimer laser, a plurality of fiber probes, and a processor. Each fiber probe is attachable to the excimer laser to treat a subject having glaucoma by delivering shots from the laser. The processor is configured to monitor and limit a variable number of shots delivered by each fiber probe, the number of shots delivered by each fiber probe programmable within a range. Methods of treating glaucoma include programming a fiber probe to deliver a number of shots from an excimer laser. The fiber probe is inserted into an eye of a subject having glaucoma and adjusted to a position transverse to Schlemm's canal in the eye. A plurality of shots is applied from the excimer laser source while the probe is in the transverse position, thereby treating glaucoma by creating a plurality of perforations in Schlemm's canal and/or the trabecular meshwork.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of limiting an ultrasonic blade temperature includes adjusting at least one power parameter of the ultrasonic energy in response to reaching a predetermined frequency parameter change threshold in the ultrasonic blade limiting the temperature of the ultrasonic blade to an upper temperature limit. The ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a jaw, and a controller. The jaw is movably positioned relative to the ultrasonic blade and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The controller operatively connects to the ultrasonic blade and is configured to measure an ultrasonic frequency of the ultrasonic blade. The controller has a memory including a plurality of predetermined data correlations that correlate changes in measured ultrasonic frequency of the ultrasonic blade to a blade temperature of the ultrasonic blade.

The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

A laser treatment system comprising a plurality of laser devices disposed on a cart, a combiner coupled to the plurality of laser devices, the combiner configured to combine a plurality of laser signals from the plurality of laser devices into a single conducting medium and a treatment head coupled to the conducting medium, the treatment head configured to deliver the plurality of laser signals to a predetermined location.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing control data for a laser of a treatment apparatus for the correction of a cornea. The method includes determining a look-up table for preset corneal parameters by a corneal deformation model, wherein the cornea can be modeled in deformed and non-deformed states by the corneal deformation model. A value of at least one preset corneal parameter in the non-deformed state of the cornea is varied and an effect of this variation on values of the corneal parameters in the deformed state of the cornea is ascertained for determining the look-up table. The method further includes ascertaining a corneal value to be achieved from predetermined examination data, determining by the look-up table a deformation-corrected corneal value to be achieved for compensating for the deformation of the cornea, and providing control data, which uses the deformation-corrected corneal value for correcting the cornea.

A portable, battery powered electrosurgical wave generator is usable in performing electrically driven medical procedures. The wave generator can be small and lightweight to enable a user to carry and use the wave generator in non-operating room type settings. The wave generator can include a control unit that generates output signals in each of a cutting mode, coagulation mode, and a bipolar mode. The control unit can use a single circuit structure to generate the output signals for the cutting, coagulation, and bipolar modes. The output signals can be generated solely from a voltage produced by an incorporated battery within the generator.

A system includes a focus optic configured to converge an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) beam to a focal region located along an optical axis. The system also includes a detector configured to detect a signal radiation emanating from a predetermined location along the optical axis. The system additionally includes a controller configured to adjust a parameter of the EMR beam based in part on the signal radiation detected by the detector. The system also includes a window located a predetermined depth away from the focal region, between the focal region and the focus optic along the optical axis, wherein the window is configured to make contact with a surface of a tissue.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft and an articulatable end effector is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system configured to articulate the end effector and means for retaining the articulation drive system in engagement with the end effector.

A powered surgical device configured to clamp and fasten tissue is disclosed. The powered surgical device comprises a shaft, an articulation joint, a motor-driven flexible drive member movably supported in the shaft, an I-beam coupled to the motor-driven flexible drive member, and a housing. The shaft comprises a proximal end. The motor-driven flexible drive member passes through the articulation joint during a tissue clamping motion. The motor-driven flexible drive member is driven distally away from the proximal end of the shaft during the tissue clamping motion. The housing is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The housing comprises a rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism. A rotation of the rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism in a first direction is configured to retract the motor-driven flexible drive member proximally toward the proximal end of the shaft.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of limiting an ultrasonic blade temperature includes adjusting at least one power parameter of the ultrasonic energy in response to reaching a predetermined frequency parameter change threshold in the ultrasonic blade limiting the temperature of the ultrasonic blade to an upper temperature limit. The ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a jaw, and a controller. The jaw is movably positioned relative to the ultrasonic blade and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The controller operatively connects to the ultrasonic blade and is configured to measure an ultrasonic frequency of the ultrasonic blade. The controller has a memory including a plurality of predetermined data correlations that correlate changes in measured ultrasonic frequency of the ultrasonic blade to a blade temperature of the ultrasonic blade.