Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively aligning an optical device are described. An apparatus includes an optical device. The optical device includes a supporting surface, a light source mounted to the supporting surface, a lens mount configured to hold a lens, a lens holder configured to hold the lens mount, wherein the lens mount is configured to be mounted to the supporting surface. A light detector is configured to determine a light intensity of a light beam through the lens, the light intensity indicating the alignment of the lens. An alignment device is to move the lens until the light intensity indicates that the lens is aligned, and a curing light is to cure adhesive layers between the lens and the lens mount, the lens mount and the lens holder, and the lens holder and the supporting surface.

Abstract: A method and a kit for the prevention of venous stenosis associated with the use of hemodialysis AV shunts. The kit may use a bifurcated needle for providing access to the shunt or blood vessel. One of the arms is used for returning the blood to the subject after dialysis treatment, while the other arm is used for inserting a device for cleaning the vein, the device being either an autonomous crawling device, or a passive tethered device moved down the vein by the blood flow. The autonomous crawling device may be a series of sequentially inflatable chambers, the stenosis being cleared by pressure from the outer walls of the chambers when inflated and moved. The passive device may be an element having a flexible disc-like structure, whose flexible peripheral edge slides along the inner walls of the blood vessel, compressing or clearing the material attached thereto.

Abstract: A method and a kit for the prevention of venous stenosis associated with the use of hemodialysis AV shunts. The kit may use a bifurcated needle for providing access to the shunt or blood vessel. One of the arms is used for returning the blood to the subject after dialysis treatment, while the other arm is used for inserting a device for cleaning the vein, the device being either an autonomous crawling device, or a passive tethered device moved down the vein by the blood flow. The autonomous crawling device may be a series of sequentially inflatable chambers, the stenosis being cleared by pressure from the outer walls of the chambers when inflated and moved. The passive device may be an element having a flexible disc-like structure, whose flexible peripheral edge slides along the inner walls of the blood vessel, compressing or clearing the material attached thereto.

Abstract: A method and a kit for the prevention of venous stenosis associated with the use of hemodialysis AV shunts. The kit may use a bifurcated needle for providing access to the shunt or blood vessel. One of the arms is used for returning the blood to the subject after dialysis treatment, while the other arm is used for inserting a device for cleaning the vein, the device being either an autonomous crawling device, or a passive tethered device moved down the vein by the blood flow. The autonomous crawling device may be a series of sequentially inflatable chambers, the stenosis being cleared by pressure from the outer walls of the chambers when inflated and moved. The passive device may be an element having a flexible disc-like structure, whose flexible peripheral edge slides along the inner walls of the blood vessel, compressing or clearing the material attached thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively aligning an optical device are described. An apparatus includes an optical device. The optical device includes a supporting surface, a light source mounted to the supporting surface, a lens mount configured to hold a lens, a lens holder configured to hold the lens mount, wherein the lens mount is configured to be mounted to the supporting surface. A light detector is configured to determine a light intensity of a light beam through the lens, the light intensity indicating the alignment of the lens. An alignment device is to move the lens until the light intensity indicates that the lens is aligned, and a curing light is to cure adhesive layers between the lens and the lens mount, the lens mount and the lens holder, and the lens holder and the supporting surface.

Abstract: A method and a kit for the prevention of venous stenosis associated with the use of hemodialysis AV shunts. The kit may use a bifurcated needle for providing access to the shunt or blood vessel. One of the arms is used for returning the blood to the subject after dialysis treatment, while the other arm is used for inserting a device for cleaning the vein, the device being either an autonomous crawling device, or a passive tethered device moved down the vein by the blood flow. The autonomous crawling device may be a series of sequentially inflatable chambers, the stenosis being cleared by pressure from the outer walls of the chambers when inflated and moved. The passive device may be an element having a flexible disc-like structure, whose flexible peripheral edge slides along the inner walls of the blood vessel, compressing or clearing the material attached thereto.

Abstract: An inclination measuring device (10) is provided, which includes an inclination tracking device (12) configured to pass over the object, having a plurality of elements, whose angle of inclination is to be mapped and a sensor probe (14) in communication with the inclination tracking device (12). The sensor probe (14) is configured to sense the position of each of the plurality of elements. The inclination measuring device (10) is useful for measuring the angle of trunk inclination or rotation of a person's trunk.

Abstract: An improved non-invasive method for measuring a spinal deformity of a patient whose spinal prominences representing the spinous processes are registered and their position mapped. The method comprises acquiring external physiological parameters indicative of position and orientation of the vertebrae; and calculating the deformity angle of the spine taking into account the registered spinal prominences and the external physiological parameters.

Abstract: A contour mapping system useful as a spine analyzer includes a probe for application to a user's hand with the outer tip of at least one finger of the hand movable along the outer surface of the person's spine or other object whose contour is to be mapped. A position sensor carried by the probe is movable with the user's finger as the finger moves along the outer surface of the object. The system tracks and displays the movements of the position sensor as the probe is moved with the user's hand along the outer surface of the object. An ultrasonic transducer may be combined with the position sensor on the same probe and used to examine particular vertebrae, such as apex vertebrae, for rotation and/or deformation.

Abstract: A contour mapping system useful as a spine analyzer includes a probe for application to a user's hand with the outer tip of at least one finger of the hand movable along the outer surface of the object (e.g., a person's spine) whose contour is to be mapped. A position sensor is carried by the probe and is movable therewith, and with the user's hand, as the user's finger moves along the outer surface of the object. The system further includes a position tracking system for tracking the movement of the position sensor as the probe is moved with the user's hand along the outer surface of the object.

Abstract: A contour mapping system useful as a spine analyzer includes a probe for application to a user's hand with the outer tip of at least one finger of the hand movable along the outer surface of the person's spine or other object whose contour is to be mapped. A position sensor carried by the probe is movable with the user's finger as the finger moves along the outer surface of the object. The system tracks and displays the movements of the position sensor as the probe is moved with the user's hand along the outer surface of the object. An ultrasonic transducer may be combined with the position sensor on the same probe and used to examine particular vertebrae, such as apex vertebrae, for rotation and/or deformation.