Abstract: An instrument and method for applying thermal energy to targeted tissue. An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a vapor source comprising a pump configured for providing a flow of liquid media from a liquid media source into a vaporization chamber having a heating mechanism, actuating the pump to provide the liquid into the vaporization chamber, applying energy from the heating mechanism to convert a substantially water liquid media into a minimum water vapor level for causing an intended effect in tissue. For examples such levels can comprise at least 60% water vapor, at least 70% to water vapor, at least 80% water vapor or at least 90% water vapor for causing an intended effect in tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to the working end of a medical instrument that applies energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has a microfluidic tissue-engaging surface fabricated by soft lithography means together with optional superlattice cooling means that allows for very precise control of energy application, for example in neurosurgery applications. The tissue-engaging surface can eject a high-heat content vapor into the engaged tissue for treating tissue, while the superlattice cooling structure can prevent collateral thermal damage. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to localize heat at a selected depth in tissue and prevent surface ablation. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to prevent tissue sticking to a thermal energy delivery surface. In another embodiment, the tissue-engaging surface can be used in a jaw structure for sealing tissue together with hydrojet means for transecting the tissue.

Abstract: An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery.

Abstract: It is provided new adhesive compositions comprising three components, compounds of formula (I), (II) and (III), namely, alkyl cyanoacrylates, alkyl carboxyacrylates and acrylates. It is also provided said compositions for use in medicine and veterinary, as bioadhesives.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for salvaging red blood cells from patients during a surgical procedure. In one general aspect, a system is described for extracting blood from blood-soaked absorbent surgical materials such as surgical sponges, gauze, tape, and the like. The collected blood and fluids from these materials can be transferred to a cell salvage machine for harvesting viable red blood cells for autotransfusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for salvaging blood cells from an absorbent material are disclosed. In one exemplary aspect, such as system includes a rotatable basin having perforations to allow rinse solution from a stationary basin to reversibly flow therethrough to wash the blood cells from the absorbent material, thereby forming an effluent solution. The system further includes a hemoconcentrator in fluid communication with the stationary basin having first and second fluid outputs for discharging a diluent solution and a blood cell discharge solution from the effluent solution respectively. The blood cells can be salvaged from the blood cell discharge solution. The second fluid output is in fluid communication with the stationary basin for recycling the diluent solution as the rinse solution.

Abstract: An integrated injection device with pre-packaged medication is disclosed. The integrated injection device includes an ampule that is filled with a fluid medication and a collar with hypodermic needle. The collar includes an axial valve that is positioned between a first end of the collar a second end that includes an exit aperture that is connected to the hypodermic needle. The valve is movable from a first position where the valve blocks fluid communication between the first end and the second end and a second position where valve provides fluid communication between the first end and the exit aperture in the second end. The valve cooperates with a frangible webbing that extends over the second end of the collar and causes the valve to move to the second position when twisted to separate the frangible webbing from the injection device to expose the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus and method for recovering a contour of a bone from an input image of the bone with its surrounding tissues. The method comprises receiving the input image; applying in parallel at least three image processing functions to the input image to obtain at least three resulting images indicative of respective features of the input image, at least one of the at least three image processing functions pertaining to a spatial domain, and at least another one of the at least three image processing functions pertaining to a frequency domain; combining the at least three resulting images together to form a compounded image, the compounded image identifying at least two regions based on the respective features; identifying the contour of the bone based on the at least two regions of the compounded image; and outputting an output image for display, the output image comprising the contour identified.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel surgical device scalable to small dimensions for thermally-mediated treatments or thermoplastics of targeted tissue volumes. An exemplary embodiment is adapted for fusing, sealing or welding tissue. The instruments and techniques utilize a thermal energy delivery means, for example an electrical energy source, to instantly elevate the temperature of a biocompatible fluid media within an electrically insulated instrument portion. The altered media which may then be a gas is characterized by a (i) a high heat content, and (ii) a high exit velocity from the working end, both of which characteristics are controlled to hydrate tissue and at the same time denature proteins to fuse, seal, weld or cause any other thermally-mediated treatment of an engaged tissue volume—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow the engaged tissue volume.

Abstract: An instrument and method for applying thermal energy to targeted tissue. An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a vapor source comprising a pump configured for providing a flow of liquid media from a liquid media source into a vaporization chamber having a heating mechanism, actuating the pump to provide the liquid into the vaporization chamber, applying energy from the heating mechanism to convert a substantially water liquid media into a minimum water vapor level for causing an intended effect in tissue. For examples such levels can comprise at least 60% water vapor, at least 70% water vapor, at least 80% water vapor or at least 90% water vapor for causing an intended effect in tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for thermally-mediated treatment of blood vessels to elicit an immune response to cause rapid endothelial growth over at least portions of an implant or stent to prevent adverse events such as restenosis.

Abstract: Micro-organisms, including fungi, viruses and bacteria such as Mycobacteria and/or fragments of micro-organisms such as cell wall components present in an aqueous liquid are captured to a solid surface by adding to the liquid a sufficient quantity of a water soluble polymer in the presence of the solid surface to displace the micro-organisms and/or fragments from the liquid to the solid surface. The surface may be provided by a bead. The water soluble polymer may be polyethyleneglycol or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support element (10,110) for use in effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin (186) of a penis, being a closed-loop member defining an opening (12) dimensioned to permit a penis glans to pass therethrough and having an inner surface (14) and an outer surface (16); the outer surface comprising a circumferential support (18, 118) for an elastic ring (150) to be mounted thereon, said circumferential support being formed within a groove (20,120) in at least part of the outer surface; at least one first segment (26, 28) of the outer surface having an outer curvature of a radius larger than that of its flanking second segments (30, 32). Also provided herein is a system (100) for effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin (186) of a penis, comprising the support element (110) and elastic ring (150), and optionally a deployment element (160) for mounting the elastic ring over the foreskin and support element.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for optimization of the conditions of execution of the vision contrast test and the corresponding system with which to implement said method so as to be able to guarantee optimal conditions throughout the test session even when not it is not possible to respect the standards. Furthermore, the method comprises a self-calibration procedure, which definitively eliminates the operations of calibration of the system by specialized centers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and implanting a customized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an eye analysis module that analyzes a patient's eye and generates biometric information relating to the eye. The system also includes eye modeling and optimization modules to generate an optimized IOL model based upon the biometric information and other inputted parameters representative of patient preferences. The system further includes a manufacturing module configured manufacture the customized IOL based on the optimized IOL model. In addition, the system can include an intra-operative real time analyzer configured to measure and display topography and aberrometry information related to a patient's eye for assisting in proper implantation of the IOL.

Abstract: An instrument and method for applying thermal energy to targeted tissue. An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a vapor source comprising a pump configured for providing a flow of liquid media from a liquid media source into a vaporization chamber having a heating mechanism, actuating the pump to provide the liquid into the vaporization chamber, applying energy from the heating mechanism to convert a substantially water liquid media into a minimum water vapor level for causing an intended effect in tissue. For examples such levels can comprise at least 60% water vapor, at least 70% water vapor, at least 80% water vapor or at least 90% water vapor for causing an intended effect in tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for thermally-mediated treatment of blood vessels to elicit an immune response to cause rapid endothelial growth over at least portions of an implant or stent to prevent adverse events such as restenosis. Devices and methods for thermally-mediated treatment to inhibit contraction of vessels to elicit an immune response to cause rapid endothelial growth over at least portions of a stent to prevent adverse events such as restenosis.

Abstract: A tissue evacuation device may be designed to provide a high-energy fluid (e.g., a heated vapor) to targeted tissue for breaking down the targeted tissue, such as the nucleus of an intervertebral disc. An inner tube positioned within an outer tube, having a nozzle coupled to distal ends of the tubes, having a heating element positioned between the inner and outer tubes, delivers a heated vapor through a port to the nozzle to break down tissue. After the nucleus or other targeted tissue is broken down, the tissue evacuation device may also remove some or all of the broken down tissue.

Abstract: A corneal confocal microscope characterized by a particular illumination system.