Abstract: A method for non-surgical rejuvenation of facial skin to correct both Type 1 aging changes in the epidermis layer of the skin causing visual changes in the skin and Type 2 aging changes in the dermis layer of the skin causing damage to supportive elements of the skin. The method includes the steps of exfoliation of the facial skin, stimulation of new dermal collagen deposition, removal of at least one of pigment and superficial blood vessels, relaxation of facial expression muscles, filling of soft tissue defects including at least one of deep facial lines and contour deformities, and tightening of the facial skin, and the steps of the method are applied according to a selected one of a plurality of age determined regimens.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. The assembly includes a catheter body, a housing and a detector. The catheter includes a distal tip, a proximal end, and a fiber optic extending between the proximal end and the distal tip. The housing may include a channel adapted to support at least a portion of the distal tip of the catheter. The may be detector disposed within the housing so as to be spaced a fixed distance from the distal tip of the catheter. Methods for providing and calibrating a catheter supported within housing are also disclosed according to other embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for sealing tissue such as melding the two flaps of the foramen ovale together without the need for a permanent implant or closing openings in vessels.

Abstract: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the light source through optical tip to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. In some embodiments, the handpiece contains a self-contained power source, such as batteries. In some embodiments, the handpiece is at least in part, activated by remote control in order to prevent moving the handpiece during activation. Some embodiments include a unit operable to sense a response of nerve stimulation and to suppress a laser-ablation surgery operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for an interface for providing a user with feedback are presented. Specifically, embodiments of such an interface may include a head-up display unit which is mounted on a microscope utilized by a user when performing a surgical procedure. The heads-up display unit may include an eye-piece ring which is fitted onto or in one of the eye pieces of the microscope. The heads-up unit receives data regarding one or more parameters from a surgical console or other source and produces audio or visual feedback corresponding to a desired parameter. Any visual feedback produced may then be propagated to the eye piece ring allowing a user of the microscope to obtain the feedback when performing a surgical procedure utilizing the microscope and obviating the need to look at a screen of the surgical console to obtain such feedback. Thus, feedback is provided to a user in a non-intrusive manner such that the user can obtain this feedback without distracting from a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Two or more telemanipulated surgical instruments are inserted through a guide tube. Each instrument has a transmission mechanism that transmits actuating forces from actuators to components of the instrument. The transmission mechanisms are arranged around an extended centerline of the guide tube and are wedge-shaped so that they can be positioned more closely to the extended centerline.

Abstract: A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the nonlinear waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an insertion axis of a robotic manipulator is provided, the insertion axis including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main printed circuit assembly external to the insertion axis. A robotic surgical system including such an insertion axis and a method for wireless communication in the system are also provided.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating a part to be treated by a laser beam is disclosed. This apparatus includes a laser source which emits the treatment laser beam; a multi-articulated arm for delivering the treatment laser beam emitted from the laser source, the arm including a plurality of light delivery pipes, a joint part for jointing the light delivery pipes, the joint part being rotatable with respect to at least one of the pipes jointed by the joint part, a reflection mirror disposed in the joint part; and a surgical instrument is connected to an end of the arm and used for irradiating the treatment laser beam delivered therein through the arm to the treatment part.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a parallel motion mechanism coupled between an instrument body segment and the instrument's distal end. The parallel motion mechanism changes the end effector's position without changing the end effector's orientation. In an aspect of the invention, the parallel motion mechanism and the body segment have essentially the same cross section so that the parallel motion mechanism can be inserted through a guide tube. In an aspect of the invention, the parallel motion mechanism is telemanipulatively controlled.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a flexible tube, a distal member, a flexible end-effector activation wire, a proximal member, and a flexible first cable. The distal member is connected to the distal tube portion. The activation wire is positioned within the tube. The proximal member is attached to the tube. The first cable is positioned outside the tube, is substantially transversely constrained by the proximal member, and has a first distal cable portion attached to the distal member. Lengthwise translation of the first cable articulates the distal member with respect to the proximal member. Another instrument includes a drive screw which articulates an end effector (e.g., a grasper) pivotally connected to a tube. An additional instrument includes a drive screw which articulates a distal medical instrument member pivotally connected to a tube. A medical end effector (e.g., a snare) is positionable in a lumen of the distal medical instrument member.

Abstract: A method for treatment of atrial fibrillation includes utilizing mathematical analysis, e.g., logistic regression, on a collection of variables selected from the group including effective refractory period, wavelength, tissue area, tissue weight, maximum tissue width, minimum tissue width, and average tissue width to design a set of lesions that would make an atria fibrillation-proof. Preferably, the most preferred variables are tissue area, effective refractory period, and conduction velocity. This is preferably an electrophysiologically-customized procedure that is preferably minimally invasive, which could include transvenous or port access, either off or on bypass to create the set of lesions that render an atria fibrillation-proof based on the mathematical analysis of selected variables. Long linear lesions are created from a variety of energy sources as well as surgical techniques. Preferably, there are fixation and marking mechanisms utilized.

Abstract: A method of using an imaging catheter for activating a photodynamic agent is provided. The method generally includes four steps. First, an imaging catheter including a fiber optic cable is inserted within a body cavity or vessel. The fiber optic cable has a first end (e.g., proximal end) and a second end (e.g., distal end), and is configured to transmit electromagnetic irradiation from its first end to its second end and to transmit an image from its second end to its first end. Second, an image of a site of interest (e.g., the location of an aneurysm) within the body cavity or vessel is observed using the fiber optic cable. Third, a suitable photodynamic agent is applied to the site of interest. Fourth, the fiber optic cable is used to deliver a selected wavelength or wavelength range of electromagnetic energy to the site to thereby activate the photodynamic agent.

Abstract: A light therapy appliance comprises an electronic circuit including Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light at one or more different wavelengths. A hand held enclosure containing the electronic circuit includes a front lens that directs the multiple different colored lights to a top surface of skin. The light therapy appliance can be programmed for different skin conditions and may be used in conjunction with different topical ointments.

Abstract: A method of corneal laser surgery is disclosed. A first periphery is defined at an anterior surface of the cornea. This first periphery bounds a first planar area. A second periphery is defined within stromal tissue of the cornea. This second periphery bounds a second planar area. The second planar area is sized differently than the first planar area. A layer of stromal tissue which is bounded by the second periphery is subsequently incised. Stromal tissue between substantial portions of the first periphery and the second periphery is also incised, such that at least some corneal tissue disposed between the first and second peripheries remains connected to corneal tissue outside of the first and second peripheries.

Abstract: A photoactivation device for modulating the physiology of a target biological activity by directing a photoactivating beam of light having a predetermined set of photoactivating light parameters on a target surface, the device comprising: a photoactivating light source for emitting the photoactivating beam of light; a positioning means operatively coupled to the photoactivating light source for allowing selective positioning of the photoactivating light source relative to the target surface; a position evaluating means for evaluating the position of the photoactivating light source relative to the target surface.

Abstract: There are described an excimer laser unit and a method of controlling the unit to perform cornea ablation to reduce presbyopia, wherein the excimer laser unit is controlled to form on the cornea a photoablative pattern inducing a fourth-order ocular aberration, in particular a positive spherical aberration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive gear, a drive motor, a shift motor and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The drive gear is disposed at least partially within the housing and is rotatable about a drive gear axis which extends therethrough. The drive gear is selectively movable along the drive gear axis. The drive motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to rotate the drive gear. The shift motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion.

Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying infrared (IR) nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery.