Abstract: A method and a system for detecting a movement of a surface on an irradiated sample involves a light source for irradiating the surface with a coherent light beam, a detector for detecting variations caused by the movement in a speckle pattern produced by reflections of the light beam at the surface, selecting a single speckle from the speckle pattern, and detecting the variations at the selected speckle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a therapeutic lamp platform combination light therapy mask. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a phototherapy device comprising a therapeutic lamp platform including a mask including a plurality of radiant lamps having a mixed combination of different wavelength radiant energy and disposed to communicate the radiant energy to a user treatment area, the plurality of radiant lamps further disposed to provide radiant therapy to provide a first treatment session including a first set of wavelength radiant energy, and a second treatment session including a second set of wavelength radiant energy including at least one wavelength radiant energy not provided in the first treatment session; and a frame for supporting the mask on a user.

Abstract: Configurations are described for utilizing light-activated proteins within cell membranes and subcellular regions to assist with medical treatment paradigms, such as hypertension treatment via anatomically specific and temporally precise modulation of renal plexus activity. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-sensitive proteins to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides systems, devices, and methods for millisecond-timescale temporal control of certain cell activities using moderate light intensities, such as the generation or inhibition of electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for creating an aqueous flow pathway in the trabecular meshwork, juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal of an eye for reducing elevated intraocular pressure. Some embodiments described apparatus and methods useful in photoablation of tissues. In some embodiments, a photoablation apparatus is used to perforate a tissue, forming an aperture into a space behind the tissue. Gases formed during a photoablation process can be used to pressurize the space behind the tissue to enhance patency of the space. In some embodiments the tissue is the trabecular meshwork of the eye and a wall of Schlemm's canal, and the space behind the tissue is a portion of the lumen of Schlemm's canal. In some embodiments, the method is useful in the treatment of glaucoma by improving outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal, reducing intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a therapeutic lamp platform controller. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a controller comprising a power source; a control circuit operatively connected to the power source, the control circuit including one or more outputs to drive a plurality of radiant lamps associated with a therapeutic lamp platform, the plurality of radiant lamps including a mixed combination of different wavelength radiant energy and the plurality of radiant lamps disposed to communicate the radiant energy to a user treatment area; a user display operatively connected to the control circuit; and a user control switch operatively connected to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control a dosage amount of radiant energy communicated to the user treatment area.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating tissue is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated generally-tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends. An electrode assembly is provided at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly including a porous electrode arrangement that is generally transverse to the catheter body. The porous electrode arrangement comprises one or more electrodes electrically connected to a suitable energy source and a porous sleeve mounted in surrounding relation to the one or more electrodes and defining an open space between the porous sleeve and the one more electrodes. One or more irrigation openings fluidly connect the open space to a lumen extending through the catheter through which fluid can pass. In use, fluid passes through the lumen in the catheter, through the one or more irrigation openings, into the open space and through the porous sleeve.

Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of a subject comprises heating a skin surface, abrading native skin tissue of a subject using a microdermabrasion device, wherein using the microdermabrasion device comprises moving the microdermabrasion device relative to the skin surface while simultaneously delivering at least one treatment fluid to the skin surface being treated and cooling the abraded skin surface.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for providing patient safe light to a wound. The device includes a radiation source producing flora lethal radiation wavelengths, a radiation conduit detachably optically coupled to the radiation source, and a patch remotely located from the radiation source configured to at least partially conform to a surface contour of the wound. The patch includes a flexible panel formed of a radiation transmitting material able to withstand sterilization, including at least one surface with a disturbed surface area configured to emit radiation upon the wound.

Abstract: A remotely deflectable electrophysiology/ablation catheter of the type intended for placing into an interior passage of the heart. The distal end of the catheter has a pair of tension/compression members each with a flattened end portion connected to the distal electrode and extending through the catheter casing and attached to an actuator for effecting the tension/compression thereon for remotely curling the distal end of the catheter. Spaced ring electrodes are provided adjacent the distal electrode. A permanent bend is pre-formed in the casing and tension/compression members adjacent the ring electrodes about an axis perpendicular to the elongated tension/compression members. Movement of the remote actuator causes the distal portion of the catheter to curl into a lariat in a plane perpendicular to the axis along the elongated catheter casing, thus permitting electrical mapping or ablation with the distal and/or ring electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a treatment device and corresponding treatment method for laser wound healing, the device and method making use of the simultaneous action of multiple laser types and laser wavelengths which are applied at human tissue. The treatment device generally includes a laser system and a hand-piece which is coupled to the laser system. The hand-piece is designed so that one or multiple laser beams are applied at relatively small spot and at a relatively high power level, and are surrounded by a relatively large spot of another laser beam with a relatively low power level. In a preferred implementation, the hand-piece is adapted to facilitate the emission of first and second laser beams together with a third laser beam which is delivered at a different spatial profile in comparison to the first and second laser beams.

Abstract: Providing neuroprotective therapy for glaucoma includes generating a micropulsed laser light beam having parameters and characteristics, including pulse length, power, and duty cycle, selected to create a therapeutic effect with no visible laser lesions or tissue damage to the retina. The laser light beam is applied to retinal and/or foveal tissue of an eye having glaucoma or a risk of glaucoma to create a therapeutic effect to the retinal and/or foveal tissue exposed to the laser light beam without destroying or permanently damaging the retinal and/or foveal tissue and improve function or condition of an optic nerve and/or retinal ganglion cells of the eye.

Abstract: A laser ionization therapy assembly having a reservoir defined by a peripheral wall and a base; a support device having a support coupling member and a support opening; and a laser module accommodating a laser diode, the laser module having an opening and a laser module coupling member, wherein the support device is fixedly attached to the peripheral wall of the reservoir and the laser module is detachably coupled thereto, wherein the laser diode is positioned at an angle relative to the base of the reservoir so that laser light is directed through the openings of the laser module and support device to a predetermined location within the reservoir at a height of between ½ inch to 1 inch above the base, and wherein the laser light has a wavelength of between about 630 and 640 nm and a peak power of about 10 mW.

Abstract: This document describes assessment of human physiological systems. Various noninvasive sensors can be used to detect vitals and other parameters and combined with mathematical models to assess the functional state of physiological systems. Conventional techniques can use invasive sensors to monitor cardiac pressures and volumes, along with pressure transit to quantify cardiovascular health. While known to be effective these invasive techniques often require surgery and are resource intensive limiting their use to cases where the risks and costs are of clear immediate benefit. In contrast, noninvasive health monitors present little if any risk and are easy to use. Further, the techniques described herein can determine trends in a person's cardiovascular health. With these trends, a person can know if the effort they expend to improve heart health actually makes a difference. Further, negative trends can be found that can spur people to improve their health or get medical attention.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An open irrigation ablation catheter includes an isolated manifold that isolates the positioning magnet from contact with irrigation fluid to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring and optimizing photothermal therapy, using a high-power continuous-wave laser beam and a pulsed laser beam, both transmitted through a single soft, multi-mode optical fiber with a diffuse active tip, to interstitially irradiate the target tissue at the same time. The continuous-wave laser light induces photothermal effect and increases tissue temperature and the pulsed laser light produces a photoacoustic signal. The photoacoustic signal intensity is used to monitor the temperature changes in the target tissue and to guide the irradiation of the high-power laser to optimize the photothermal effect by adjusting the light intensity and irradiation time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an UV radiation device, comprising an LED comprising a nitridic material which is arranged to emit first UV radiation in a wavelength range of 200 nm-300 nm and a luminescent material doped with at least one of the following activators selected out of the group Eu2+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Gd3+, Tm3+, Sb3+, Tl+, Pb2+ and Bi3+, wherein the luminescent material is configured to convert at least a part of the primary UV radiation into secondary UV radiation, the primary UV radiation and the secondary UV radiation having a different spectral distribution.

Abstract: A method of treating a subcutaneous fat region is provided. The method includes generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 1,200 nm to about 1,230 nm and delivering an average power density of less than or equal to about 2.3 W/cm2 of the electromagnetic radiation to the subcutaneous fat region for at least 300 seconds. The method also includes cooling an epidermal region and at least a portion of a dermal region overlying the subcutaneous fat region for at least a portion of the at least 300 seconds. The method further includes causing necrosis of at least one fat cell in the subcutaneous fat region.