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: 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 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: 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: 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: In some implementations, a PDT system may include a probe assembly having an elongated cylinder having a probe inner diameter and a probe outer diameter optical surface and a probe tip positioned on a distal end, a therapy window positioned proximal the probe tip, a door positioned inside of the elongated cylinder and configured to move between an open position to expose the therapy window and a closed position to seal the therapy window, a balloon positioned within the inner probe diameter, a cylindrical light diffuser position inside of the balloon, and a detector fiber positioned proximate the cylindrical light diffuser.

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.

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: 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: A system for supporting and aligning a patient during a color alteration procedure includes a laser system that delivers a laser in a first direction. A control computer may be adjacent the laser system for controlling the laser system. The control computer system may include a user interface in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The system may include a patient support structure having a patient support surface extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to be adjustable to set a patient position or alignment relative to the laser system. Coarse adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated and/or manual adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction. Fine adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated fine adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction based on instructions received from the control computer.

Abstract: A photo-thermal targeted treatment system for damaging a target embedded in a medium includes a controller and a photo-thermal treatment unit including a light source. The controller is configured for administering a treatment protocol using the light source at a preset power setting and a preset pulse timing setting. Also, a method for automatically initiating a treatment protocol using a photo-thermal targeted treatment system includes administering a cooling mechanism at a treatment location, monitoring a skin surface temperature at the treatment location and, when the skin surface temperature reaches a preset threshold, automatically initiating the photo-thermal treatment protocol.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensing assembly for detecting forces imparted at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The structural member may include segments adjacent each other in a serial arrangement, with gaps located between adjacent segments that are bridged by flexures. Fiber optics are coupled to the structural member. In one embodiment, each fiber optic has a distal end disposed adjacent one of the gaps and oriented for emission of light onto and for collection of light reflected from a segment adjacent the gap. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a change in the intensity of the reflected light, or alternatively to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member. In another embodiment, the gaps are bridged by fiber Bragg gratings that reflect light back through the fiber optic at central wavelengths that vary with the strain imposed on the grating.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system includes a laser to generate a laser beam. A topography measurement system measures corneal topography. A processor is coupled to the laser and the topography measurement system, the processor embodying instructions to measure a first corneal topography of the eye, A first curvature of the cornea is determined. A target curvature of the cornea that treats the eye is determined. A first set of incisions and a set of partial incisions in the cornea smaller than the first set of incisions are determined. The set of partial incisions is incised on the cornea by the laser beam. A second corneal topography is measured. A second curvature of the cornea is determined. The second curvature is determined to differ from the target curvature and a second set of incisions are determined. The second set of incisions is incised on the cornea.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a base member, a housing, and a locking mechanism. The base member defines a longitudinal axis. The housing is rotatably secured to the base member and is rotatable in relation to the base member between a plurality of positions. The locking mechanism is supported on the housing and includes a locking member and a button. The locking member is moveable from a locked position in which a lock of the locking member is engaged with the base member to secure the housing in one of the plurality of positions to an unlocked position in which the housing is rotatable in relation to the base member. The button is positioned on the base member and is depressible to translate the locking member in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Abstract: An illustrative method of delivering laser energy to a surface of a trabecular meshwork of an eye includes inserting a probe into the eye and delivering, at multiple locations along the trabecular meshwork, shots of the laser energy via the probe to create a plurality of perforations in the trabecular meshwork. The plurality of perforations form a line or curve that is transverse to a Schlemm's canal in the eye.