Abstract: A device (10) for light based skin treatment is provided. The device (10) comprises a light source (18) for providing an incident light beam (21) for treating a skin (30), optical elements for focusing the incident light beam (21) in a focal point (22) inside the skin (30), and a skin interface element (11) for, during use of the device (10), providing optical coupling of the incident light beam (21) from the device (10) into the skin (30). The skin interface element (11) comprises a transparent exit window (12) for allowing the incident light beam (21) to leave the device (10), on top of the exit window (12), a transparent mixture (13) of a polar substance and an apolar substance, and on top of the transparent mixture (13), a transparent foil (14), the transparent foil (14) being more hydrophobic than the exit window (12).

Abstract: A hand-held skin treatment device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, an energy supply electrically coupled to the source and a controller arranged to control the energy supplied to the source of electromagnetic radiation. The source, the energy supply and the controller are enclosed in a watertight housing allowing use of the hand-held skin treatment device in a wet environment. To provide sufficient cooling of the source, the device comprises an internal heat exchanger in heat conducting relation with the source, an external heat exchanger outside of the watertight housing, and a heat path from the internal heat exchanger to the external heat exchanger that passes hermetically through a wall of the watertight housing. With this device, users can conveniently integrate their skin treatment activities with the daily washing routine in a shower or bath. The device is especially useful in the context of hair removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a femtosecond laser ophthalmological apparatus and method that creates a flap on the cornea for LASIK refractive surgery or for other applications that require removal of corneal and lens tissue at specific locations, such as in corneal transplants, stromal tunnels, corneal lenticular extraction and cataract surgery. The femtosecond laser is transferred from the main cabinet to a hand piece module via a rotating mirror set module. In the hand piece, the femtosecond laser beam is scanned and guided to the patient's eye. The ablation pattern is based on dividing the area of the ablation area into a matrix grid made up of cells. Predetermined ablation pattern is completed in an individual cell before moving on to the next cell until ablation is complete in the entire matrix grid mapped on the ablation area.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of an eye comprises a source of pulsed laser radiation, and a control device for controlling a focus of the laser radiation to generate an incision figure. The incision figure defines a corneal flap, a first auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary channel. The corneal flap is connected to adjoining corneal tissue in a hinge region, and has a flap underside parted-off from adjoining corneal tissue by a bed incision. The first auxiliary channel extends from the hinge region to an outer surface of the eye and is adapted to remove gases that develop during the generation of the bed incision. The second auxiliary channel extends along an edge of the bed incision, is connected to the first auxiliary channel, and extends beyond the hinge region. The control device is configured to generate the second auxiliary channel prior to the bed incision.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes a surgical instrument, a power supply, and an accessory. The surgical instrument has a first induction device positioned therein. The accessory is selectively operably couplable to the surgical instrument. The accessory includes a second induction device that is inductively coupled with the first induction device when the accessory is operably coupled to the surgical instrument such that the power supply provides power to the accessory.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure having an actuation structure distal end and an actuation structure proximal end, a housing tube, a first housing tube portion of the housing tube having a first stiffness, a second housing tube portion of the housing tube having a second stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. An extension of the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube and the optic fiber. A retraction of the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end may be configured to gradually straighten the housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A surgical laser system includes a first laser source, a second laser source, a beam combiner and a laser probe. The first laser source is configured to output a first laser pulse train comprising first laser pulses. The second laser source is configured to output a second laser pulse train comprising second laser pulses. The beam combiner is configured to combine the first and second laser pulse trains and output a combined laser pulse train comprising the first and second laser pulses. The laser probe is optically coupled to an output of the beam combiner and is configured to discharge the combined laser pulse train.

Abstract: Systems and methods for affecting metabolism, such as the treatment of metabolic syndrome are disclosed. A method for treating metabolic syndrome can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic metabolic effect; and activating a convection fan within the chamber to promote heat transfer from the glabrous tissue. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A surgical tool handle for holding, securing and portioning orthopedic tools is described. The surgical tool handle having a tool attachment mechanism comprising a bias member connected to an actuator. The bias member is positioned within a distal end opening within the handle. Rotation of the actuator causes rotation of the bias member such that when a connection member of a tool, such as a broach, rasp or other cutting tool, is positioned within an opening of the bias member, the bias member wraps around and tightens onto the connection member. Rotating the actuation cable in an opposite direction rotates the bias member in the opposite direction, which thereby releases the tool connection member, and the tool, from the handle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving or preventing a condition, such as the treatment of pain syndromes and migraine headaches are disclosed. A method for treating pain can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic effect. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A device (10) for energy-based skin treatment is provided. The device (10) comprises a light source (18) for providing polarized incident light (21) having an incident polarization, optical elements (11, 12, 13) for focusing the polarized incident light (21) in a focal point (22) within a collagen layer of the skin (30), a polarization-sensitive detection unit (41, 42) for selectively detecting a selected polarization component of light of a generated harmonic (23) of the polarized incident light (21) returning from the skin (30), and a processor, at least being coupled to the polarization-sensitive detection unit (41, 42), for determining a depth of the focal point (22) within the collagen layer based on the detected selected polarization component.

Abstract: There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create precise predetermined clear corneal incisions that are capable of reducing induced astigmatism. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that can provide these incisions at or below Bowman's membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair-shortening device. The device is based on the principle of laser-induced optical breakdown, wherein a laser pulse causes mechanical effects in tissue, which are used to cut the hair (20). The invention uses the insight that, when two or more such laser pulses are provided simultaneously, the mechanical effects can co-operate. This in turn allows cutting of the hair (20) with less total energy, down to about half the energy required for cases with pulses that are supplied sequentially. In one embodiment, the device comprises a laser source (2), a grating (6), and a beam manipulator (8), that aim a plurality of simultaneous focal spots (10) into a hair (20).

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of inhibiting the growth of hair in skin including epilation of follicles in the skin, waiting until within 5 days of the commencement of metanagen, applying a photodynamic agent to the skin, and exposing the skin to photoactivating light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the stimulation of thermal receptors in the skin of a patient by means of thermal stimuli. The device comprises a plurality of noninvasive stimulation units for irradiating the skin of the patient with electromagnetic radiation, wherein thermal stimuli are produced by absorption of the electromagnetic radiation in the skin of the patient and the wavelength range of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the stimulation units can be adjusted. The device also comprises a control unit for controlling the stimulation units.

Abstract: An instrument holder includes a substantially tubular base body which includes a grip portion and an instrument holding portion. The base body includes a through recess extending over an entire length thereof, and the instrument holding portion includes a front-sided insertion opening designed for insertion of an instrument.

Abstract: A phototherapeutic device includes a sheet member that is attachable to a skin; a skin-condition sensor that is disposed in the sheet member and that detects information related to a condition of the skin; and a light-emitting device unit that is disposed in the sheet member, the light-emitting device unit operating on the basis of the information detected by the skin-condition sensor. The light-emitting device unit includes a plurality of light-emitting devices that emit light having different wavelengths.