Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.

Abstract: A medical system includes a catheter, a light source, a detector, a circulator, and a processor. The catheter includes a distal-end assembly for performing a medical operation on tissue in a cavity of an organ of a patient, the distal-end assembly including an optical fiber configured to guide transmitted light to interact with the tissue of the cavity, and to guide returned light that interacted with the tissue. The light source is configured to produce the transmitted light. The detector is configured to measure the returned light. The circulator is configured to couple the transmitted light from the light source to the optical fiber, and to couple the returned light from the optical fiber to the detector. The processor is configured to identify a contact of the distal-end assembly with the tissue based on the returned light measured by the detector, and to indicate the identified contact to a user.

Abstract: The present invention uses one or more radiation-emitting devices in combination with a topical radiation block to ablate the skin and remove topographic variations in the skin surface. The energy pathway may be guided by a computer. The device might also include a treatment plate or window to be placed against the skin in order to flatten the skin surface during treatment. The purpose of the topical radiation block is to manage the areas to which the radiation is applied to the skin by allowing the radiation to reach some portions of the skin, while limiting or preventing the radiation from reaching other portions of the skin. In the case of atrophic scarring, for example, the block may be deposited selectively into the atrophic indentations, such that the block limits or prevents the radiation from reaching (and thereby ablating) the indentations, but allows the radiation to reach (and thereby ablate) the surrounding skin tissue.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for applying energy to tissue, and more particularly relates to a system for ablating or modifying structures in a body with systems and methods that generate a flow of vapor at a controlled flow rate for applying energy to the body structure.

Abstract: A laser ablation device which, an emitting double ring beam at the tip, is used in treatment, without permanent damage and scar, of natural diseases like venous insufficiency, of subsequently-formed diseases like fistula or of hemorrhoids formed as damaging of the vein. The device includes a fiber probe with two different conical angled surfaces where the rays guided through inside the fiber are reflected at the fiber tip via a first conical shaped-end formed at a first specific angle at the fiber's tip and a second conical shaped-end formed at different second specific angle by starting from a certain portion of the first conical shaped-end.

Abstract: The patient interface may comprise an axis for alignment with an axis of the eye such as an optical axis of the eye. The interface may comprise a guide to allow the interface to move along the axis with the eye, which can inhibit increases in intraocular pressure when the patient is aligned with the laser. The interface may comprise a lock to hold the patient interface at a location along the axis, which can maintain alignment of the patient with the laser eye surgery system. The interface may comprise a plurality of transducers to measure forces to the eye during surgery. The laser eye surgery system can be configured in one or more of many ways to respond to the measured forces. For example, the system may offset the position of laser beam pulses to increase the accuracy of the placement of the beam pulses on the eye.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus for treating damaged tissue on a limb or body of a subject includes a wearable adapted to cover and be secured to the limb or body of a subject over damaged tissue. The wearable being configured to reduce pressure on the damaged tissue and adapted to deliver one or more treatments selected from the group consisting of heat, oxygen, electrical current, and light to the damaged tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is a vessel sealing and cutting system (10) comprising a surgical equipment (20) comprising a lower jaw (222) and an upper jaw (212) in a manner defining a holder tip (24) grabbing the tissues containing vessels, and a lower body (21) embodied at the continuation of said upper jaw (212), and a laser source (50) connected to said surgical equipment (20), characterized by comprising a module housing (215) embodied in a manner extending inside said lower body (21) and said upper jaw (212), and a laser module (30) which transmits a laser light to the grabbing region (61) from said holder tip (24) in a simultaneous manner with the closing of the jaws and positioned in said module housing (215) in a manner connected to said laser source (50) from one end thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a targeted area of ocular tissue in a tissue-sparing manner comprising use of two or more therapeutic modalities, including thermal radiation source (such as an CW infrared fiber laser), operative in a wavelength range that has a high absorption in water, and photochemical collagen cross-linking (CXL), together with one or more specific system improvements, such as pen-operative feedback measurements for tailoring of the therapeutic modalities, an ocular tissue surface thermal control/cooling mechanism and a source of deuterated water/riboflavin solution in a delivery system targeting ocular tissue in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation. Additional methods of rapid cross-linking (RXL), are provided that enables cross-linking (CXL) therapy to be combined with thermal therapy.

Abstract: A treatment system can include a channel generation system configured to expose an infected region of a target tissue with a laser beam traveling along an optical axis and focused at a focal volume located in or adjacent to the target tissue. The laser beam can have a wavelength ranging from about 100 nm to about 400 nm. The laser beam can be configured to generate at least a first channel in the infected region. The treatment system can also include a detection system configured to detect a first radiation generated by one or more of (i) the target tissue, (ii) a fungi coupled to the infected region in the target tissue, and (iii) an adjacent tissue located proximal to the target tissue as a result of interaction with the laser beam. The treatment system can also include a delivery system configured to deposit an active treatment agent in the at least first channel.

Abstract: A camera module, a camera assembly, and an electronic device are provided. The camera module include a casing having a light inlet, a prismatic reflector disposed in the casing and aligning with the light inlet, and an image sensor disposed in the casing. The prismatic reflector is configured to reflect an incident light from the light inlet to the image sensor, thereby the image sensor is capable of capturing images. The prismatic reflector includes a light-incident surface facing the light inlet, an opposite surface oppositely to the light-incident surface, a reflective face coupled to the light-incident surface and the opposite surface, and a light-emitting surface coupled to the light-incident surface and the opposite surface. The reflective face is inclined with respect to the light-incident surface. The light-emitting surface is opposite to the reflective surface.

Abstract: A system and method used to deliver a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) or other cardiac therapeutic device to a site within the heart, such as a site at the aortic valve. A flexible device is percutaneously introduced into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, through the heart via a transseptal puncture, and to a femoral artery. The venous-side end of the flexible device is withdrawn out the venous vasculature superior to the heart, and a pVAD is secured to the flexible device. The pVAD is pushed in a distal direction while the arterial-side end of the flexible device is pulled in the proximal direction to advance the pVAD to the target site. A left ventricle redirector aids in orienting the pVAD and preventing migration of the flexible member towards delicate structures of the heart during advancement of the pVAD.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vitreous visualization system including a general light source, a general conduit that transmits light from the general light source through a conduit portion of a general illumination optical fiber, and a combined vitreous visualization and general illumination tool that receives light from the general conduit. The combined vitreous visualization tool includes a vitreous visualization light source, a controller for the vitreous visualization light source, a vitreous visualization optical fiber, a tool portion of the general illumination optical fiber, and a probe tip through which at least parts of both the vitreous visualization optical fiber and the tool portion of the general illumination optical fiber pass.

Abstract: An apparatus for microdisruption of cataracts in lens tissue by impulsive heat deposition comprising: a source of pulsed laser radiation, a user input device, a control circuit, and an optical waveguide configured to transmit the pulsed laser radiation. The light intensity which exits the optical waveguide has a wavelength selected to match an absorption peak of at least one component of the lens tissue, a pulse duration time shorter than a time required for thermal diffusion out of the laser irradiation volume and shorter than a time required for a thermally driven expansion of the laser irradiated volume, and a pulse energy resulting in a peak intensity of each laser pulse below a threshold for ionization-driven ablation to occur.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: A method to inspect a solid organ in a subject includes introducing a needle in a predetermined area of the solid organ, inserting an optical probe through a lumen of the needle, and imaging the predetermined area using the optical probe. An optical probe to inspect a solid organ in a subject, the optical probe being intended to be positioned in the solid organ through a needle, the optical probe includes an optical fiber bundle, a ferule to protect the distal tip of the optical fiber bundle, the ferule comprising a shank and a head, and a sheath wrapping the fiber bundle and the shank, wherein the head of the ferule has a length adapted for the optical probe to image the solid organ while keeping the sheath inside the needle.

Abstract: Fiber-based mode mixing techniques may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A vibrating fiber mechanism may impart mechanical motion to a portion of the optical fiber to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.

Abstract: Apparatus to treat an eye comprises 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. A coupling sensor is coupled to the retention structure or the suction line to determine coupling of the retention structure to the eye. A fluid collecting container can be coupled to the retention structure to receive and collect liquid or viscous material from the retention structure. A fluid stop comprising a porous structure can be coupled to an outlet of the fluid collecting container to inhibit passage of the liquid or viscous material when the container has received an amount of the liquid or viscous material. The coupling sensor can be coupled upstream of the porous structure to provide a rapid measurement of the coupling of the retention structure to the eye.

Abstract: A skin treatment device for locally treating skin with light is provided that comprises a tip, a light emission element, a safety mechanism comprising an optical element and an optical element positioning structure. The optical element receives a converging light beam from the light emission element. The optical element is configured to operate as a diverging lens. The optical element positioning structure positions the optical element in a safety position, or in a treatment position when the tip is in contact with the skin to be treated, and allows movement of the optical element between both positions. In the safety position, the optical element is arranged at a position on the optical axis to generate an eye-safe light beam. In the treatment position, the optical element is arranged at another position on the optical axis to generate a treatment light beam.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a glaucomatous eye are provided. Embodiments may provide a treatment probe for treating an eye of a patient. The treatment probe may have an elongate body with a contact surface at a distal end of the elongate body. A treatment fiber or light source may be housed in the treatment probe and may be configured to direct treatment energy from the contact surface. The contact surface may be configured to couple to a surface of the eye to deliver the energy into the target area. In many embodiments the contact surface may have a convex configuration with a rounded outer shape and edge that facilitates the sweeping of the probe surface across the eye during treatment delivery. In some embodiments the probe may be swept in arc motions while delivering treatment energy to the eye.

Abstract: A cosmetic method for the removal of hair from the skin tissue of a human body includes providing a device that includes a source of ultrasound energy and a source of light-based energy; activating the source of ultrasound energy and providing the ultrasound energy to the skin tissue to heat an area of skin tissue containing hair follicles from about 43 degrees C. to about 55 degrees C. for a first predetermined period of time; activating the source of light-based energy after the expiration of the first predetermined period of time to heat hair follicles in the area of skin tissue containing hair follicles to one of: above 55 degrees C., 60 degrees C., 65 degrees C. or 70 degrees C. for a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Improved device and method for safe, accurate, efficient surgical procedures are disclosed. A preferred device is a waveguide assembly for delivering electromagnetic radiation to a tissue comprising a waveguide with a multi-facetted tip and a cap over the 5 multi-facetted tip. Preferably the waveguide is an optical fiber. The cap is a protective, reinforced cap fused to the optical fiber's tip as an integral part of it and comprises an axially-extending portion oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the elongated axis of the optical fiber. A method of manufacturing special waveguide caps is provided. The optical fiber assembly delivers high power electromagnetic radiation in lateral direction 10 with respect to the elongated axis of the optical fiber, determined by the multiple-facetted tip, the slant angles of the optical fiber's core, and the orientation of the cap's axially-extending portion. A method for removing unwanted tissue like in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatments is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating neuropathic pain by using a cold laser device in a handheld manner. A patient attachment surface is attached to a portion of the patient's body, where the patient attachment surface has a light emission surface receiver. The light emission surface of a cold laser device is attached to the light emission surface receiver and a position of a support member is adjusted such that the light emission surface is maintained in a position parallel to the patient's skin in a hands-free manner.

Abstract: A method of making a bent tip fiber ball lens by moving a bender to a first side of a ball lens at an end of an optical fiber that has a first axis; moving the bender in a first direction such that the bender applies a force to the ball lens, wherein the ball lens and optical fiber is bent such that a first angle between the first axis and a second axis, which extends from an end of the ball lens and the end of the optical fiber is greater than zero; applying heat, for a first time, to the optical fiber at a location that is a first distance from the ball lens; removing the heat and allowing the optical fiber to harden such that the first angle is maintained after the bender force is removed.

Abstract: The patient interface may comprise an axis for alignment with an axis of the eye such as an optical axis of the eye. The interface may comprise a guide to allow the interface to move along the axis with the eye, which can inhibit increases in intraocular pressure when the patient is aligned with the laser. The interface may comprise a lock to hold the patient interface at a location along the axis, which can maintain alignment of the patient with the laser eye surgery system. The interface may comprise a plurality of transducers to measure forces to the eye during surgery. The laser eye surgery system can be configured in one or more of many ways to respond to the measured forces. For example, the system may offset the position of laser beam pulses to increase the accuracy of the placement of the beam pulses on the eye.

Abstract: A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a plurality of radiant beams, i.e., laser light beams, through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the beams. The shaped beams are applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the beams—pulse length, power and duty cycle—the beams can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal phototherapy or photostimulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical laser treatment device and a method for operating same, which aim to treat a curved area on the skin of a patient. The medical laser treatment device, according to the present invention, comprises: a main body portion having a laser oscillation portion for oscillating the laser; a hand piece, which is connected to the main body, for irradiating the laser onto the skin of the patient; and a laser tip, which is positioned between the skin of the patient and the hand piece and comes into contact with the skin of the patient so as to guide the laser, wherein the laser tip applies pressure to one side of a blood vessel on the inside of an irradiation area.

Abstract: A method for preparing an endothelial corneal graft is provided. The method comprises: providing a donor cornea; irradiating the donor cornea from an endothelial side thereof with laser radiation to cause a photodisruption in tissue of the donor cornea at a focal point of the radiation; and moving the focal point of the radiation to form an endothelial graft in the donor cornea. By irradiating the donor cornea from the endothelial side thereof, instead of the epithelial side, to cut the endothelial graft, optical inhomogeneities which may develop after death in stromal tissue of the donor cornea leave the laser cutting process substantially unaffected.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a surgical tool that has a proximal end and a distal end, and an optical sensor that has at least a portion attached to the surgical tool. The surgical tool has a portion that is suitable to provide a reference portion of the surgical tool, and the optical sensor has an end fixed relative to the reference portion of the surgical tool such that the reference portion of the surgical tool can be detected along with tissue that is proximate or in contact with the distal end of the surgical tool while in use.

Abstract: Re-calibration of pre-recorded images during interventions uses an interventional system including an imaging device providing images of an object, a needle device, and a processing device. The needle device includes a sensor for providing data corresponding to tissue properties. The processing device is configured to perform an overlay registration of pre-recorded images and live images provided by the imaging device, utilizing the data from the sensor. Thus, the accuracy of an overlay of images is increased.

Abstract: A visual tracking and annotation system for surgical intervention includes an image acquisition and display system arranged to obtain image streams of a surgical region of interest and of a surgical instrument proximate the surgical region of interest and to display acquired images to a user; a tracking system configured to track the surgical instrument relative to the surgical region of interest; a data storage system in communication with the image acquisition and display system and the tracking system; and a data processing system in communication with the data storage system, the image acquisition and display system and the tracking system. The data processing system is configured to annotate images displayed to the user in response to an input signal from the user.

Abstract: A phototherapy device includes a high intensity light source secured to a leaky light conducting fiber to leak light along the length of the fiber. The light fiber is illuminated at either or both ends by the light source and the light fiber is generally oriented in a 3-D spiral pattern to form a dome of light to provide phototherapy to an area of a patient's scalp to be treated. A generally hemispherical shell is formed of a first or inner translucent diffuser layer secured to a second or outer reflective layer, the first and second layers encapsulating the 3-D non-overlapping spiral pattern light fiber. A control system is also provided to turn off the light source when a break or discontinuity occurs in the fiber.

Abstract: An intraluminal activation system for activating an inactive agent includes a catheter defining an inflation lumen and a medical device lumen. A longitudinal distal segment of the catheter defines a transparent treatment region. An inflation balloon is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and over at least a portion of the transparent treatment region. An elongate energy transmission wire is configured to transmit activation energy from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof. The activation system has a configuration in which the balloon is expanded, the energy transmission wire is received within the medical device lumen such that the distal end of the energy transmission wire is within the transparent treatment region, and activation energy is emitted from the energy transmission wire, through the transparent treatment region, through the balloon, and toward the inactive agent.

Abstract: A laser irradiation tip has a main body and a tip end portion. The main body is connected with a handpiece and irradiating therapeutic laser with high absorbability in water. The tip end portion being connected with the main body. The main body of the laser irradiation tip has an optical fiber for guiding the therapeutic laser, a water flow path, and an air flow path in a parallel manner. The tip end portion of the laser irradiation tip has a connection portion with the main body, a water guide path communicated with the water flow path of the main body, an air guide path communicated with the air flow path of the main body, a fiber guide portion capable of inserting a tip side portion of the optical fiber, and a mixing chamber of water and air.

Abstract: The presence or absence of a suction condition in an implantable blood pump is determined at least in part based on a parameter related to flow, such as a parameter related to thrust on the rotor of the pump. A local extreme of the parameter representing the minimum flow during ventricular diastole in an earlier interval is used to establish a threshold value. A value of the parameter representing the minimum flow during ventricular diastole in a later interval is compared to this threshold. If the comparison indicates a substantial decline in the minimum flow between the earlier and later intervals is associated with a suction condition. During the absence of a suction condition, the threshold is continually updated, so that the system does not indicate presence of a suction condition if the flow decreases gradually.

Abstract: A catheter and a console for a catheter. In one embodiment, the catheter includes: (1) a wall having a substantially annular cross-section and surrounding a bore, (2) a plurality of optical fibers associated with the wall and terminating at a distal end of the wall in end faces of differing, non-perpendicular orientation with respect to longitudinal axes of the plurality of optical fibers and (3) photoacoustic layers coupled to at least some of the end faces and configured to generate an ultrasonic signal in response to laser light transmitted along the plurality of optical fibers.

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

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber core having a multilayer dielectric coating. For side-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an angled surface at the core distal end to produce total internal reflection of laser energy at the angled surface. The coating can also be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and the angled surface can be collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral or side-fired direction. For end-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and a perpendicular surface at the core distal end can be collectively configured to direct laser energy in a direction substantially parallel to the distal end portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A substrate support apparatus for a plasma processing system includes a layer of dielectric material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is defined to support a substrate in exposure to a plasma. The substrate support apparatus also includes a number of optical fibers each having a first end and a second end. The first end of each optical fiber is defined to receive photons from a photon source. The second end of each optical fiber is oriented to project photons received from the photon source onto the bottom surface of the layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: A process for restoring responsiveness to medication in eye tissue, namely retinal tissue, that is unresponsive to medication. The process utilizes a laser source for generating a confluent, contiguous laser light beam. The laser light beam is preferably a subthreshold diode micropulse laser beam which is optically shaped through an optical lens or mask. The tissue is then exposed to the confluent, contiguous laser light beam and allowed to recover for thirty days before administering medication to which the tissue was unresponsive.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fiber-optic component, in particular a fiber coupler, and method for manufacturing thereof. The component comprises a housing (25), at least one first optical element (21) capable of guiding light and having an output end, the first optical element (21) being affixed to said housing (25) at a mounting zone (26A), and at least one second optical element (22, 23) optically coupled to the first optical element (21) at a coupling zone (27) for receiving light from the output end of the first optical element (21). According to the invention, the component comprises at least one zone (29) of light-scattering material arranged in the vicinity of the first optical element (21) at a region between the coupling zone (27) and the mounting zone (26A). By means of the invention, the effect potentially harmful reverse radiation in fiber-optic components can be mitigated.

Abstract: A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided, including: at least one articulatable arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one joint region disposed between the distal and proximal ends; an optical fiber bend sensor provided in the at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm; a detection system coupled to the optical fiber bend sensor, said detection system comprising a light source and a light detector for detecting light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor to determine a position of at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm based on the detected light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor; and a control system comprising a servo controller for effectuating movement of the arm.

Abstract: Improved/efficient fiber laser systems are provided for medical/cosmetic applications, comprising at least one pump source, optically coupled with at least one fiber laser. The fiber laser comprises an irregularly-shaped single-, double- or multiple-clad fiber of unconventional structure and geometry, and means for partially/completely reflecting the pump radiation, such as Bragg gratings. The fiber laser system further comprises at least one fiber optic delivery device optically coupled with the pump source, with the irregularly-shaped single-, double- or multiple-clad fiber laser, or with both, to convey laser radiation to a treatment site. The fiber optic delivery device comprises one or more waveguides, preferably optical fibers. The irregularly-shaped fiber laser and waveguides of the fiber optic delivery device have the same or different tip configurations to perform the treatment according to therapeutic needs.

Abstract: A non-contact laser handpiece, contains optical components modified to provide a high density uniform later beam at a distance from the handpiece that minimizes effects of back reflection.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam for treatment of an affected part of a patient's eye; an optical fiber that transmits the laser beam emitted from the laser source; and a delivery optical system that irradiates the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber to the affected part of the patient's eye, the delivery optical system including: a plurality of diffraction optical elements each being configured to shape a beam profile of the laser beam at an emission end face of the optical fiber into a beam profile having one of a uniform intensity and a lower intensity in the center than on the periphery on the affected part and also to shape the laser beam to have a different spot size on the affected part of the patient's eye; and a changing unit which selectively disposing one of the diffraction optical elements on an optical path.

Abstract: A steerable medical device is used to controllably introduce a guidewire or other medical instrument into a body of a patient and direct placement of the guidewire or other medical instrument in the body of the patient. The steerable medical device can include an elongated member, a steering mechanism, and an attachment member. The elongated member extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a deflectable distal portion that is deflectable off of the longitudinal axis. The steering mechanism is adapted to control longitudinal and rotational movement of the elongated member and to control off-axis deflection of its deflectable portion. The attachment member is removably couplable to another medical device. The attachment member is moveably coupled to the steering mechanism and the elongated member.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating a distance between the distal end of an optical fiber and treated tissue, to improve treatment efficiency, is provided herein. The estimation is achieved by modulating the numerical aperture of a light beam transmitted through the fiber to receive reflections from the tissue and distinguish them from other reflections in the fiber, and further by calculating the distance by comparing reflection intensities of beams having different numerical aperture values that illuminate the tissue over a very short period, so that tissue and environment conditions do not change much. Distance estimation may be carried out by modulating the treatment beam itself, or by a light beam transmitted between pulses of a pulsed treatment beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable or optical fibre, to which a protective finish has been added, which is formed by a tubular duct, the end parts of which have been mechanized in the form of fingers that have elbowed areas in the vicinity of the tips thereof, which elbowed areas expand toward the outside when the cable and said covering protrude from the catheter, and contract when the cable and finish are introduced into the catheter, avoiding, as is the case at present, a situation in which the fingers are straight and flat, which can produce a tear in walls of the blood vessel in the event of the operator wishing to reinsert the optical fibre through a vein in order to resume treating an already treated area.

Abstract: An oral care implement is described herein. The oral care implement includes a base and a first grip member. The base has a gripping region and an oral engaging region. The base has an aperture extending therethrough. The first grip member at least partially overlays the gripping region of the base and has a plurality of gripping elements. The first grip member also has a at least one opening exposing a guidance element. The guidance element includes a protrusion and a ring surrounding the protrusion.