Abstract: Provided is a phototherapeutic apparatus including: a probe that is held and operated by a user and provided with a photo-irradiation unit that performs irradiation with light beams; and a body provided with a control unit that controls the light beams. The body is provided with a read unit that reads a treatment protocol registered in an IC card (mobile memory medium), and a monitor (operation indication unit) that indicates a region to be irradiated with the light beams to the user, the region being set in the treatment protocol, and the control unit causes the monitor to indicate the region to be irradiated and causes the photo-irradiation unit to perform the irradiation with the light beams at a set value set in the treatment protocol. It is possible to perform the irradiation with the light beams in accordance with the treatment protocol and safely use the phototherapeutic apparatus.

Abstract: Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods can provide an indicator associated with each manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. The exemplary indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A hand piece for delivering energy from a laser to a target through a fiber tip includes an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end. An axial bore traverses the handle along a longitudinal axis thereof. A fiber tip holding mechanism is fixed within the axial bore of the handle and includes a forward section fixed with the handle, a spring, and a rear section that includes a hollow collet projecting forward therefrom that traverses the spring and the forward section. The forward section is slidable rearward towards the rear section to compress the spring in a rear position. The spring urges the forward section forward into a forward position. A chuck is fixed with the forward end of the fiber tip holding mechanism and includes a tapered sleeve and two or more oppositely tapered jaws.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.

Abstract: Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods can provide an indicator associated with each manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. The exemplary indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides systems and methods relating to neuromodulation. In particular, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying optimized temporal patterns of spinal cord simulation (SCS) for minimizing variability in patient responses to SCS. The systems and methods of neuromodulation disclosed herein facilitate the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with various disease states and clinical indications.

Abstract: A method that includes configuring a first and a second identification band with unique serial numbers, each of said bands being connected to a signal cable attached to a sensor is provided. The first identification band is securely fixed to a first location on the patient and the second identification band is securely fixed to a second location on the patient. The first and second identification bands are connected with a bridging band. The signal cable is connected to a diagnostic test monitoring system and the patient's oxygen saturation is monitored. The first and second identification bands are configured to evidence tampering when removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus irradiates a surface with at least one pulsed light beam emitted from an emission surface of an optical element. The at least one pulsed light beam comprises a plurality of pulses having a temporal pulsewidth in a range between about 0.1 millisecond and about 150 seconds. The at least one pulsed light beam has a beam cross-sectional area at the emission surface greater than about 2 cm2 and a time-averaged irradiance in a range between about 1 mW/cm2 and about 100W/cm2.

Abstract: Optical fibers for delivering laser energy inside the body are often tasked with traversing tortuous routes in accessing the target tissue or pathology, e.g. ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. A common failure in such applications, known in the field as ‘fiber burn through’, has been known to injure patients and is a major cause of damage to ureteroscopes. Where irregular output that is produced at the start of a lasing interval passes through a fiber that is at or near the optical minimum bend limit, fail safe polymer claddings are damaged and can no longer contain even regular laser output in tight deflection. The invention disclosed provides a solution to premature fiber failure and collateral damage.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for increasing the amplitude of accommodation and/or changing the refractive power and/or enabling the removal of the clear or cataractous lens material of a natural crystalline lens is provided. Generally, the system comprises a laser, optics for delivering the laser beam and a control system for delivering the laser beam to the lens in a particular pattern. There is further provided apparatus for determining the shape and position of the lens with respect to the laser. There is yet further provided a method and system for delivering a laser beam in the lens of the eye in a predetermined shot pattern.

Abstract: A stabilizer system for supporting a medical device includes a platform and a stabilizer body positioned on the platform and being slidably translatable about the platform. The platform includes a translation actuator configured to engage with a receiving member of the stabilizer body. Actuation of the translation actuator passes a force to the receiving member of the stabilizer body and causes the stabilizer body to translate relative to the platform. The stabilizer body includes a base and one or more support wings extending from the base to support a medical device. A straddle actuator is coupled to a support wing and is configured to engage with the medical device. Actuation of the straddle actuator passes a force to the medical device and causes at least a portion of the medical device to translate relative to the stabilizer body.

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 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 tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a treating dementia or Alzheimer's disease in a subject in need thereof. In one example, combined auditory and visual stimuli having a frequency of about 20 Hz to about 60 Hz, and more specifically about 40 Hz, are non-invasively delivered to the subject to induce synchronized gamma oscillations in at least one brain region of the subject. In particular, pursuant to various treatment and exposure protocols, combined auditory and visual stimulation (as opposed to auditory or visual stimulation alone) promotes a microglia response in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). More generally, combined auditory and visual stimulation induces an extended microglia clustering response in the auditory cortex, the visual cortex, and the mPFC.

Abstract: An Illumination device (100) for photodynamic therapy is provided, the illumination device comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit (10), the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source (1), the electromagnetic radiation source being configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session, wherein the irradiation object is to be arranged at a predetermined object location (300), wherein the predetermined object location is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output area (11) of the radiation emitting unit through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting unit during operation of the illumination device (100).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with characterizing Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) lesions using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are described. One example method includes acquiring an OCT signal from a Region Of Interest (ROI) in an ablated material. The example method may also include determining whether a lesion was formed by the ablation by analyzing optical properties of the ROI as recorded in the OCT signal.

Abstract: A device for fusing two or more tissues is disclosed. The device comprises a hand held probe comprising a fluid receiving opening, a channel and an outlet in fluid communication whereby fluid passes through the channel and exits the outlet where it is directed to at least one of the two or more tissues and/or a space in-between. A disruptive emitter, in the form of a laser, is comprised on the probe which emits a force sufficient to fuse the two or more tissues. The device finds particular application to treatment of a detached retina by fusing the retina and the retinal pigmented epithelium. A method of fusing two or more tissues including a retina and underlying retinal pigmented epithelium is also disclosed.

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.