Abstract: Methods are provided that include positioning a disinfection apparatus in proximity to a cabinet, wherein the disinfection apparatus has a base supporting a germicidal source and the base includes components operationally coupled to the germicidal source for operating the germicidal source. The method further includes inserting the germicidal source into the cabinet such that at least a portion of the base is retained exterior to the cabinet and is operationally coupled to the germicidal source. Moreover, the method includes placing one or more items into the cabinet, closing the cabinet with the germicidal source and the one or more items in the cabinet and the base of the disinfection apparatus exterior to the cabinet, and then subsequently starting the disinfection source such that the germicidal source emits a germicide into the cabinet. Systems and cabinets used to conduct the aforementioned methods are also provided.

Abstract: A device, including: an end-emitting optical fiber including a first end and a second end; a light extraction plate including a light scattering structure; and a light diffuser film disposed above the light scattering structure. Also disclosed are systems including the device.

Abstract: [Summary] [Problem] The therapy method and the therapy apparatus for difficult cancer such as ductal cancer and other diseases. [Solution to problem] The therapy and the apparatus to beat cancer and other diseases by injecting the material which is energy receptive from outside and emissive heat to cancer cells in the body of a patient, and giving energy from outside.

Abstract: A photocoagulation system is described herein that facilitates multi-spot laser treatment procedures inside the eye and close to the patient's retina. In one example embodiment, a modified endocular probe operates with a laser system to move the probe or a probe needle so as to project a multi-spot pattern on a patient's retina by controlling the rotation movement of the needle (and needle tip). In addition, the system facilitates maneuverability and angular deviation of the needle tip and synchronizes these different movements with the laser photocoagulator system so as to project the aiming beam and thereafter the laser treatment beam in the desired pattern location with the desired exposure time and power.

Abstract: An optical measurement device that comprises an apparatus main element including a light emission aperture, a light emission probe element that includes the optical fibers and that transmits light through it, and the other end of the optical fibers being detachably attached relative to the light emission aperture, and a light block element that blocks the light irradiated from the light emission aperture under the condition in which the light emission probe element connected to the apparatus main element is detached from the light emission aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of fungal infections and/or other foot skin disorders, comprises a shoe-type housing having a substantially hollow interior forming a treatment chamber, a supporting platform disposed within the hollow chamber; so that a foot of a patient positioned within the treatment chamber is supported by the platform, so that nails are disposed at the lower level of the front part of the chamber, whereas the heel of the foot is being elevated a rear part thereof. A delivery and control assembly for the aqueous solution is provided. At least one light delivery arrangement is disposed within or in the vicinity of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A light-beam therapeutic apparatus used for a therapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is disclosed, which includes an apparatus body portion having a light source; a light guide rod that guides light from the light source, a connecting socket, a cooling fan, an electronic component that performs control required for a therapy, and a control display panel that displays the contents of therapy; a therapeutic portion including a light guide portion including a plurality of bundled optical fibers, and a pad portion formed of the optical fibers spread out adjacently to one another into a flat-panel shape, and the therapeutic portion is formed into a light-receiving plug insertable into a connecting socket of the apparatus body portion, and the optical fibers positioned on the pad portion are subjected to exposing processing and have a protecting surface layer portion formed of a bag member filled with transparent and highly flexible high-molecular gel.

Abstract: A combination therapy pad that includes a first layer and a second layer operatively coupled to the first layer. A fiber-optic array is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A third layer is operatively coupled to the first layer. The third layer includes a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to a wound area.

Abstract: A thermal ablation system comprises a fluid handling unit receiving fluid from a fluid source at a first pressure, the fluid handling unit including a heater heating the fluid to a desired temperature and a pump and an introducer including a sheath which, when in an operative position, is received within a hollow organ, the sheath including a delivery lumen introducing fluid heated by the heater to the hollow organ and a return lumen withdrawing fluid from the hollow organ and returning the withdrawn fluid to the console via a return lumen, wherein the pump increases a pressure of the fluid between the fluid source and the delivery lumen of the introducer.

Abstract: There is herein described medical apparatus. More particularly, there is herein described medical apparatus capable of adapting and/or conforming to a non-planar surface on a patient's body.

Abstract: A high-powered light emitting diode (LED) photobiology (phototherapy) device is disclosed in the accompanying specification. The contemplated photobiology (phototherapy) device may be used in the treatment of various aesthetic and medical or other conditions. The phototherapy device may include a number of select LEDs for emitting a desired range or ranges of wavelengths of high intensity light for use in treatment. Additionally, the phototherapy treatment includes one or more methods for providing a treatment appropriate to the condition desired to be treated. The phototherapy device provides for a variety of high power light settings, intensity levels, and selectable time intervals for providing treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-photon processing treatment to a patient. A localized, multi-photon processing event is initiated within a vicinity of an unwanted pigment in order to remove the pigment. The multi-photon processing event requires a relatively low energy, but very intense, pulse of light. The low amount of energy per pulse allows ablation of the material to be highly localized, with negligible thermal damage to surrounding material. The multi-photon event may be initiated by focusing a suitable electromagnetic pulse, such as a 2 mJ laser pulse having a 100 to 300 femtoseconds pulse duration, into a focal volume small enough that the intensity exceeds 1011 Watts/cm2. A suitably configured Ti:Sapphire solid state laser may provide such pulses at 1-10 kHz. By repeating the multi-photon processing event along the location of a tattoo, the tattoo may be removed with no damage to the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a retinal disease in a human include locating and defining one or more zones of vision within the human's visual system and defining a treatment area which is located within at least one of the zones. The method of this embodiment may also include treating the human's retinal disease by presenting visual stimuli to the treatment area at a specified location and with a specified definition and recording changes in specified characteristics of the human's visual system. The method of this embodiment may also include reiterating the previous steps so as to improve the human's overall visual system.

Abstract: In order to attain adequate thermotherapic effect in a sauna room without forcing any extra burden on a patent, an aged person or a disabled person, an intake/exhaust fan, a room temperature sensor for measuring the room temperature, and a planar heater radiating infrared rays are provided in the sauna room keeping dry hot atmosphere. A sequence controller controls the planar heater according to the output from the room temperature sensor such that a predetermined thermotherapic bathing pattern where the room temperature of the sauna room and the time are predetermined is attained depending on the setting of a thermotherapic mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and maintains the patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and can be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, wherein the support is capable of maintaining the patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural fluid flow across the canal.

Abstract: The invention describes a treatment for skin wherein a pattern of holes is ablated in a selected region of skin tissue using an optical source. Substantially nonablative energy is delivered to the selected region to at least two holes in the pattern to thermally heat a target in or just beneath the skin, such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, or subcutaneous fat. The invention may further be improved by adding a feedback mechanism that adapts the nonablative energy in response to a measurement enabled by the ablation of holes. The apparatus may include a positional sensor to provide additional dosage control, particularly when the inventive method is used with a continuously movable handpiece.

Abstract: A paraffin filter for a paraffin spa includes a first end cap and a second end cap with a filter medium sandwiched therebetween. Each end cap is disk-like body having a respective tubular connection for the input or output of melted paraffin, thus providing a low profile filter. The filter medium comprises a rigid compressed polyester material to filter particulate matter of a given size, a porous polyester felt layer to facilitate the movement of molten paraffin through the filter, and then a polypropylene particulate matter layer to filter particles smaller than that of the compressed polyester filter material.

Abstract: A method and device for intentionally inducing whole-body hyperthermia or hypothermia in a patient for medical treatment while protecting the central nervous system from damage includes a tub for immersing the patient's body in a solution with a temperature greater than or less than normal body temperature to thereby increase or decrease the patient's body temperature. The patient's cerebral spinal fluid is circulated and maintained at temperatures less drastically altered from normal temperatures by a pump and a heater and cooler connected to the patient's spine through catheters. The patient's central nervous system blood is separated from the rest of the circulatory system and circulated and maintained at temperatures less drastically altered from normal temperatures by pumps and a heater and cooler. The remaining blood in the patient's body is circulated and temperature controlled through pumps and a heater and cooler.

Abstract: A paraffin filter system (10) includes an in-line low-profile particulate filter (20) connected to a suction tube (14) which is used as an inlet to the paraffin filter system (10). A paraffin pump (54) pumps the melted paraffin from a paraffin spa (12) through the particulate filter (20) to a transfer container (11) via a discharge tube (22). A heater (78) is controlled by control logic (146) to operate in certain modes to melt any residual paraffin in the filter (20) and pump (54) before operation of the pump (54). The control logic (146) provides various modes of operation of the filter system (10) to assure that the system is ready to operate, irrespective of the operation of a control panel switch (6) by the user. When the paraffin is transferred back to the spa (12) from the transfer container (11), the melted paraffin is carried through a bacteria filter (21) in the filter system (10).

Abstract: An improved therapeutic spa or hot tub or the like, such as a spa or hot tub of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,951, includes at least one and preferably a plurality of vibratory mechanical massage elements incorporated into the tub wall at selected locations to provide tub users with a therapeutic vibratory massage action. The vibratory massage element or elements are used in combination with conventional hydraulic air-water spa jets to provide the spa tub with improved therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A foot massager is provided in the form of a footbath (1) having first and second foot receiving portions (10). The base (2) of the footbath (1) is provided with a plurality of movable massaging elements (31, 50) to perform a massaging function on the feet. In one embodiment, the massaging elements are half-round projections (31) formed on a movable member (30) and which project through apertures (33) in an overlying fixed member (32), while in a second embodiment the massaging elements are rotating wheels (50) fixed on the movable member (30).

Abstract: A therapeutic bathing device for cleansing the skin of impurities through the incorporation of ozone into a water spray bath consisting of heated demineralized ultra pure water. The bathing device consists of a two piece enclosure having a top portion which encompasses a lower portion which further operates as a catch basin allowing the recycling of the water. A flow of water through jets incorporated into an inner side wall of the top portion and lower portion directs the purified water toward an occupant placed in a reclined position directly over the catch basin.

Abstract: A new and improved containment apparatus for lavaged fluids includes a container assembly and a transparent lid assembly placed on top of the container assembly with a patient's appendage contained therebetween. The container assembly is adapted to support and partially encompass an appendage of a patient. A transparent lid assembly is adapted to be supported by the container assembly. The transparent lid assembly and the container assembly define a lavage chamber. The transparent lid assembly is adapted to partially encompass the patient's appendage. The container assembly and the transparent lid assembly include respective sealing assemblies for preventing fluids from leaking past the patient's appendage and the respective container assembly and transparent lid assembly. The transparent lid assembly includes a plurality of entry ports for permitting a hand-held lavage nozzle to pass through the transparent lid assembly into the lavage chamber.

Abstract: A whirlpool bath unit and more particularly a therapeutic whirlpool unit providing a container to receive a quantity of water and a portion of the human anatomy immersed in the water combined with air circulating bottom member in the container to provide a whirlpool bath and sequentially introducing and removing water having contrasting temperature levels in relation to the container while monitoring and controlling the temperature level and duration that water of a particular temperature occupies the container. The container is communicated with a pair of water reservoirs through a pump system with the water in each of the reservoirs being maintained at contrasting temperatures with the pump system removing water from the container into one of the reservoirs and introducing water into the container from the other reservoir which contains water of a contrasting temperature.