Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: A biological information measurement apparatus includes a sensor unit, a processing unit which detects first biological information and second biological information based on sensor information obtained from the sensor unit, a communication unit which transmits the first biological information and the second biological information to an information processing apparatus, and a storage unit which stores the second biological information. The communication unit transmits the first biological information in a first communication cycle and transmits the second biological information stored in the storage unit in a second communication cycle longer than the first communication cycle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring biometric signals of a user comprising: a garment configured to be worn by the user and comprising a mounting module having an array of connection regions; a set of biometric sensors coupled to the garment and configured to communicate with the array of connection regions to receive and transmit biometric signals indicative of muscle activity of the user; and a portable control module configured to couple to the garment in a first configuration and to decouple from the garment in a second configuration and comprising: a housing comprising an array of openings; a set of contacts, each including a first region that seals at least one of the array of openings and couples to at least one of the array of connection regions in the first configuration, and an electronics subsystem coupled to the housing and in communication with a second region of each contact.

Abstract: A system for monitoring biometric signals of a user comprising: a garment configured to be worn by the user and comprising a mounting module having an array of connection regions; a set of biometric sensors coupled to the garment and configured to communicate with the array of connection regions to receive and transmit biometric signals indicative of muscle activity of the user; and a portable control module configured to couple to the garment in a first configuration and to decouple from the garment in a second configuration and comprising: a housing comprising an array of openings; a set of contacts, each including a first region that hermetically seals at least one of the array of openings and couples to at least one of the array of connection regions in the first configuration, and an electronics subsystem coupled to the housing and in communication with a second region of each contact.

Abstract: Apparatus to treat an eye with an ophthalmic laser system comprises a patient interface having an annular retention structure to couple to an anterior surface of the eye. The retention structure is coupled to a suction line to couple the retention structure to the eye with suction. Liquid is added above the eye to act as a transmissive medium. A coupling sensor is coupled to the suction line to determine coupling of the retention structure to the eye. A separate pressure monitoring circuit having a much smaller volume than the suction line is connected to the annular retention structure to measure suction pressure therein. A system processor coupled to the monitoring pressure sensor includes instructions to interrupt firing of a laser when the pressure measured with a monitoring pressure sensor rises above a threshold amount.

Abstract: A space for conducting photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of skin diseases, especially for treatment of superficial skin tumors such as actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinomas, and initial carcinomas, wherein an active ingredient is applied to a skin area to be treated in order to form porphyrins and irradiation with light is conducted to form singlet oxygen based on the porphyrins in order to destroy diseased skin cells, wherein the space has side walls, a ceiling, and a floor, as well as at least two lighting fixtures, which are separated from one another by at least 50 cm and illuminate at least a subregion of the space, wherein there is an illuminance of at least 8,000 lux at every point in the subregion and the subregion has horizontal dimensions of at least 1 m2 and a vertical height of at least 40 cm. This invention also relates to a luminous ceiling system and method for conducting PDT.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for treating or preventing dry eye syndrome in a subject. The methods involve applying light of a set of photomodulating parameters to the region of the eyelid. The light of these particular photomodulating parameters will increase the production of collagen, elastin or both thereby improving the tone of the eyelid. Improved eyelid tone will increase the level of meibum secreted through the meibomian duct thereby treating or preventing dry eye syndrome. Particular apparatuses are provided that emit and locate light of the necessary photomodulating parameters tailored for delivery to the eyelid areas activating fibroblasts specifically in this area and thereby improving eyelid tone and meibomian gland function.

Abstract: Each sensor of a plurality of sensors operates independently to perform at least a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter and a grading function performed occasionally to assign a current signal quality grade for the sensor that is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor. A data structure stores information pertaining to the plurality of sensors including at least priorities of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current signal quality grades for the sensors. Each sensor further operates to perform at least one output function generating an output signal conditional upon content of the data structure including at least the priorities and the current signal quality grades of the sensors indicating the output function should be performed.

Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment. In some embodiments, the system can further include a support surface having one or more sensors incorporated therein either in addition to sensors affixed to the patient or as an alternative thereof. The support surface is, in some embodiments, capable of responding to commands from the host for assisting in implementing a course of action for patient treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed. This information is then used to support a variety of useful methods, such as clinical trials, marketing studies, biofeedback, entertainment, and others.

Abstract: A wearable diagnostic device worn on a user's body that can provide various types of health-related information to the user is described. The wearable diagnostic device can provide real-time, non-invasive, accurate, and continuous data regarding a user's heart rate, hemoglobin level, body temperature, oxygen level, glucose level, and blood pressure. In some implementations, the wearable diagnostic device may also provide electrocardiogram (EKG) data or detection of Parkinson's symptoms, such as the involuntary movement of a user's hand. A user may configure the wearable diagnostic device to provide information on one, multiple, or all of the health-related information noted above.

Abstract: An ophthalmological device (10) for treating eye tissue (6) with laser pulses (L) comprises a projection optical unit (3) for focused projection of the laser pulses (L), a scanner system (1) for dynamically deflecting the laser pulses (L) and a zoom system (20), which is arranged between the projection optical unit (3) and the scanner system (1) and which is configured to adjust the focused projection of the laser pulses (L) in the projection direction (r) in different zoom settings (z). The ophthalmological device (10) moreover comprises a displacement device (4), which is configured to displace the scanner system (1) depending on the zoom setting (z) of the zoom system (20).

Abstract: A system for treating retinal diseases includes passing a laser light beam through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the light beam. The light beam is applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the laser light beam pulse length, power and duty cycle, the laser light beam can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal photocoagulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a phototherapeutic apparatus for focused UVB radiation and vitamin D synthesis and associated systems methods. In one embodiment a phototherapeutic apparatus can include a housing at least partially defining an irradiation zone, and an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source carried by the housing. The irradiation zone can be configured to accommodate at least a portion of a human patient. The phototherapeutic apparatus can further include a filter between the UV radiation source and the irradiation zone. The filter can be configured to at least substantially remove UV radiation outside of a predetermined spectrum centered at about 297 nm and having a bandwidth of at most 10 nm.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sensor data at a processor from sensors of an external medical device. The sensor data corresponds to at least a first body parameter value for a patient and a second body parameter value for the patient. The method includes determining a first depression-indicative value based on the first body parameter value, a second depression-indicative value based on the second body parameter value, a depression detection value as a function of a first weight applied to the first depression-indicative value and a second weight applied to the second depression-indicative value, and a depression state based at least in part on a comparison of the depression detection value to one or more threshold values.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment system and method providing for a liquid optical interface (LOI) with a patient eye surface (PES) using an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR) is disclosed. A disposable ocular patient interface (OPI) provides for simultaneous differential vacuum mating of the PES, OSR, OPI, and an optical window retainer (OWR). The PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR form an enclosed volume in which liquid may be interjected to cover the PES during laser treatment. A vacuum suction pump (VSP) provides controlled vacuum to the OPI ensuring proper differential vacuum mating (DVM) between the PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR during laser treatment. The OWR connects to a laser objective bracket (LOB) via an ocular force sensor (OFS) and an optical separator bracket (OSB). The OFS senses applied pressure to the PES and provides data to a computerized control device (CCD) that limits applied pressure to the PES during laser treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging and therapeutics. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide minimally-invasive Fiberoptic Microneedle Devices (FMDs) for light-based therapeutics, which physically penetrate tissue and deliver light directly into the target area below the skin surface. Embodiments of the invention enable depth-selective and deep photothermal therapeutics and include methods of treating cancer, methods of re-shaping or removing adipose tissue, and methods of delivering drugs or co-delivering drugs and energy to selected tissue.

Abstract: A device (100) for monitoring a subject's breathing rate is disclosed. A transducer (107) radiates energy towards the chest of a subject and receives the reflected energy. An analyzer (105) receives a signal corresponding to the reflected energy. The reflected energy would have undergone Doppler frequency shifts due to the motion of the chest of the subject due to breathing, with reference to the transducer. The analyzer (105) analyzes the signal to calculate the breathing rate by measuring at least one of a periodicity of the signal and a number of cycles per unit time of the signal. In a preferred embodiment the transducer (107) is disposed in or on a sphygmomanometer cuff to radiate energy towards the chest of the subject and receive the energy reflected by the chest of the subject.

Abstract: Wearable devices are described herein including at least two sensors configured to detect hemodynamic properties of a wearer. A first sensor is configured to detect a hemodynamic property of a portion of vasculature, where the operation of the first sensor is based on a hemodynamic property detected by a second sensor. A timing of operation, a value of one or more controlled operational parameters, a filter setting, or some other aspect of the operation of the first sensor could be controlled based on the hemodynamic property detected by the second sensor. Hemodynamic properties could include blood flow rate, volume, and/or pressure in one or more portions of vasculature, a timing, rate, delay, or other information about heartbeats, an oxygenation level of blood, a velocity of blood cells in blood, or some other information about a wearer's blood, heart, and/or cardiovascular system.