A catheter includes at least two electrical conductors extending from the proximal to the distal ends. A semiconductor chip generator of electromagnetic radiation is located at the distal end and is energized by electrical power supplied by the electrical conductors. The chip may be a laser or include an oscillator for generating electromagnetic radiation at a selected frequency or frequencies. In one embodiment, two chip radiation generators are located distally, each connected to one of the conductors. A third conductor is connected in common to both chips, whereby they may be energized independently. An axial aperture may be provided for a guide wire. A balloon may surround the distal end of the catheter, and may be inflated by way of another axial aperture.

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. The start switch is activatable between on and off positions while the selector knob has multiple period of time length setting positions. The start switch and selector knob are mounted to the housing and accessible at the exterior thereof and are in operable communication with the electrical timing circuit for controlling initiation of generation of and length of the period of time that the laser light beam is generated.

A laser non-ablative laser method that will accelerate and improve wound healing, particularly in situations where complicating factors are present. In particular, it is believed that the present invention produces selective papillary dermal injury which activates the production of fibroblasts and stimulates the synthesis of collagen to promote wound healing. Additionally, the likelihood of infection at the wound site is reduced by simultaneously employing a transparent wound cover that allows for small molecule permeation, while effectively preventing microbial invasion. To further enhance the healing process, the laser therapy can be preceded by mechanically scraping the surface of the wound to remove necrotic tissue. Additional methods may also be employed after the laser treatment to prevent tissue dehydration, to accelerate angiogenesis, and to increase the breakdown of dead tissue and fibrin.

A light beam line projecting device having a combination of two or more lenses which magnify in only one dimension; i.e., cylindrical and plano-cylindrical lenses, which are arranged so that the lenses' physical proximity to one another can be manipulated in order to dictate the angle of light emitted from the lens system. The axes of curvature of the respective lenses are maintained in the same plane by a lens holder comprising a stationary lens holder which houses one of the lenses, a sliding lens holder which houses the other lens, and a rotating adjustment ring which provides both the outside housing for the system and the means of adjustment of the proximity of the lenses relative to each other. The sliding lens holder has projections that slide longitudinally in grooves in the stationary lens holder and projection that slide circumferentially in grooves in the rotating adjustment ring. An additional embodiment of the invention allows the lens combination and holder to be attached to a light source in such a manner as to be infinitely rotatable or locked into position. This allows projection of the line image at a particular angle of rotation. A further embodiment of the present invention provides for adjusting the focus of the light beam so as to alter the width of the projected line.

A fiber optic cable has one end directly coupled to a semiconductor IR generating laser diode array and the other end is used to direct IR radiation at a soldier's wound for surgical purposes. The beam may also be used to illuminate a dark scene to detect the presence of a present threat such as a sniper. The components are conveniently carried by the medically trained person in his belt pack so as not to interfere with his freedom of movement. Disposable IR applicator tips may also be provided to be attached to the IR exit portion of the fiber optic cable.