Abstract: Described is a method and device for dilating a tubular anatomical structure. The device and method can be useful for extracting a blood clot in an artery of a mammal by concentrically irradiating an inner wall of the occluded artery using an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam delivered by an optical fiber having an external or inverted conical tip. Dilation results from photophysical production and release of nitric oxide from the cells lining the arterial wall when UV laser light is projected as a ring beam onto the inner arterial wall. This “minimal contact persistent dilation system” prepares the artery for safer mechanical extraction by thrombectomy, owing to decrease in friction and dissolution of chemical bonding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compacting components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a component is positioned between a first tool portion and a second tool portion of a compaction tool. A sandwich structure is positioned between the first tool portion and the component. The sandwich structure includes a thermally expandable material and a rigid shell. The thermally expandable material is positioned between the first tool portion and the rigid shell. During compaction, the thermally expandable material is subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, e.g., within an autoclave. When subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, the thermally expandable material applies a force on the rigid shell, which in turn applies a force on the component so as to compact the component between the rigid shell and the second tool portion.

Abstract: A friction-based therapeutic light penile device is configured to provide light therapy to the penis when in an erect state to more effectively ensure penetration of the emitted therapeutic light into the penis as the skin tissue is thinner. The device forms a sleeve for insertion of the erect penis and a friction material for arousal to maintain the erection during therapy. The light devices may be configured proximal to an outer rigid shell and emit light through an elastomeric friction material. The light devices may be configured to heat the friction material for further arousal and a vibratory device may further enhance arousal. The therapeutic light may be a specific wavelength of light, such as a blue, red and/or infrared. A testicular flange may extend from the sleeve and have light devices for the scrotum and testicles. The elastomeric material may form an insertion flange that is vagina shaped.

Abstract: An implantable phototherapy device includes a power receiver element configured to receive power from an external power transmitter, a light delivery element powered by the power receiver, and configured to deliver phototherapy to a target treatment area, and a tether element is coupled to the light delivery element and the power receiver element. The tether element is configured to deliver power between the power receiver element and the light delivery element.

Abstract: A lamination molding apparatus including: an irradiator irradiating a material layer with a beam to form a solidified layer; and a temperature adjustment device which abuts against a part or all of the solidified body including an upper surface of the solidified body, and heats and cools the part or all of the solidified body to a set temperature. The temperature adjustment device has a temperature adjustment plate and a revolving portion. The revolving portion sets the temperature adjustment plate to an upright state when the part or all of the solidified body including the upper surface of the solidified body is not heated and cooled by the temperature adjustment device, and sets the temperature adjustment plate to a lying state when the part or all of the solidified body including the upper surface of the solidified body is heated and cooled by the temperature adjustment device.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating fiber-reinforced resin material comprises a housing, comprising a barrel and a receptacle. The receptacle comprises a base, a lid, positionable relative to the base and relative to the barrel such that the housing is in an open state or a closed state, and a de-gassing port. The apparatus comprises a gasket that is in contact with the lid, the base, and the barrel when the housing is in the closed state. The apparatus comprises a piston, movable between a retracted position, in which the piston, in its entirety, is in the barrel, and an extended position, in which a portion of the piston is in the receptacle and another portion of the piston is in the barrel. The apparatus comprises a seal, which is in contact with the piston and the barrel, and a drive system, configured to control movement of the piston.

Abstract: Apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object and methods of producing a three-dimensional object are described. In some examples, a first fluid comprising a colorant and a second fluid comprising an absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation are applied on a layer of particulate material. Application of the second fluid to the layer of particulate material is in dependence on an ability of the first fluid to absorb the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In its various aspects and embodiments, the invention comprises a method for treating vitiligo in a patient comprising administering a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Janus kinase inhibitor and phototherapy.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a carrier configured to carry a modeling material, a device configured to cause the modeling material carried by the carrier to fly to the surface of an object, and an external force applying member configured to apply a predetermined external force to the modeling material when the modeling material is flying.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine may include a beam source, a process chamber, a beam column operably coupled to the process chamber and/or defining a portion of the process chamber, and a gaseous ionization detector disposed about the beam column. The gaseous ionization detector may be configured to detect elementary particles corresponding to an ionizing gas ionized by an energy beam from the beam source. A method of additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object may include determining data from a gaseous ionization detector disposed about a beam column of an additive manufacturing machine, and additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object using the additive manufacturing machine based at least in part on the data from the gaseous ionization detector.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaped article production method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article by ejecting a shaping material to a stage and stacking layers according to a path including multiple partial paths is provided.

Abstract: An ocular protection device and treatment methods are disclosed. The device has a corneal shield with an attached handle. The handle may be used to move the corneal shield to better protect the eye from various treatment modalities. The handle may also be used to place tension on the eyelid to counteract the forces imposed by a treatment handpiece. A procedure for treating the eye is disclosed where multiple passes with a treatment handpiece cause a gradual increase in the temperature of an eyelid up to a treatment temperature. Once the treatment temperature has been met, occlusions in the Meibomian glands of the eyelid may be expressed. The procedure may be repeated recursively until a desired level of expression has been achieved.

Abstract: A light-irradiation-device delivery apparatus includes: a metal needle tube having a longitudinal axis, a side hole, which penetrates from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface, and a blade surface at a distal end thereof; an optical fiber that is accommodated inside the needle tube, the optical fiber including a core allowing light to propagate, a clad covering an outer circumferential surface of the core, and an emission area provided at a distal-end section of the optical fiber; and a positioning member that positions the emission area between a distal end and a proximal end of the needle tube in the longitudinal-axis direction. The distal end of the optical fiber is positioned in an interior space of the needle tube in a state where the emission area is positioned between the distal end and the proximal end of the side hole.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and systems for attaching an articulation section. In an embodiment, a medical instrument includes a first tubular member including a first end. The medical instrument also includes a second tubular member including a first end. The second tubular member includes a plurality of layers including an inner layer and a first layer including a fluorinated material. The inner layer includes a first section disposed under the first layer and a second section extending out from under the first layer. A portion of the first tubular member overlaps and is bonded to at least a portion of the second section of the inner layer of the second tubular member.

Abstract: A system and method for mind-body relaxation may include a plurality of vibration modules, a light-providing member, a controller, a relaxation substrate, a pillow member, a graphical user interface (GUI), and network connection circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method of treating target tissue in a patient's eye, which includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form first and second treatment patterns, delivering the first treatment pattern to the target tissue to form an incision that provides access to an eye chamber of the patient's eye, and delivering the second treatment pattern to the target tissue to form a relaxation incision along or near limbus tissue or along corneal tissue anterior to the limbus tissue of the patient's eye to reduce astigmatism thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying an overlay superimposed with an intraoperative image of surgical field in a medical ophthalmic procedure, such that the overlay appears at a desired depth within the image are provided. Methods and system for displaying an overlay superimposed with a stereoscopic intraoperative image pair of a surgical field in a medical ophthalmic procedure are provided.

Abstract: Optical fibers used to deliver laser energy inside the body are often twisted and bent when passed through tortuous routes in accessing the target tissue or pathology, e.g. during the ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. When an irregular laser output that is produced at the start of the lasing process is channeled through a fiber that is bent at or near the bend limit, fail safe polymer claddings are damaged and can no longer contain even regular laser output in tight deflection. A common resulting fiber failure, known as ‘fiber burn through’, results in injuries to patients and is a major cause of damage to ureteroscopes. Discussed are the systems and methodologies providing a solution to such premature fiber failure.

Abstract: Smoke evacuation system for removal of aerosolized chemical compounds and biological fine particles produced during laser treatment of tissue. The rapid smoke evacuation is achieved by coupling a low capacity vacuum pump to a vacuum valve and a vacuum reservoir to create very high flow rate for very short durations. The opening time of the valve could at least partially overlap the laser pulse duration.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system focuses light along a beam path to a focal point having a location within a lens of the eye. The refractive index of the lens is determined in response to the location. The lens comprises a surface adjacent a second material having a second refractive index. The beam path extends a distance from the surface to the focal point. The index is determined in response to the distances from the surface to the targeted focal point and from the surface to the actual focal point, which corresponds to a location of a peak intensity of an optical interference signal of the focused light within the lens. The determined refractive index is mapped to a region in the lens, and may be used to generate a gradient index profile of the lens to more accurately place laser beam pulses for incisions.