Abstract: The LEDs in a phototherapy LED pad are controlled so that the intensity of the light varies in accordance with a sinusoidal function, thereby eliminating the harmonics that are generated when the LEDs are pulsed digitally. This is accomplished analogically by using a sinusoidal wave to control the gate of a MOSFET connected in series with the LEDs or by using a digital-to-analog converter to control the gate of the MOSFET with a stair step function representative of the values of a sinusoidal function at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, pulse-width modulation is used to control the gate of the MOSFET in such a way that the average current through the LEDs simulates a sinusoidal function. In additional to using a simple sine wave function, the LED current may also be controlled in accordance with “chords” containing multiple sine waves of different frequencies.

Abstract: A photo-treatment device includes a non-opaque treatment substrate and a radiation-collector beside the substrate. The substrate is sized for a person at which radiation is to be emitted from above the substrate. The substrate has a front surface for receiving the person thereon and a back surface. The radiation-collector captures excess radiation peripheral to the substrate and redirects the excess radiation to the back surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation device is provided. The electrical stimulation device includes a power management circuit and an electrical stimulation generation circuit. The power management circuit generates a first voltage and a second voltage to power the electrical stimulation generation circuit. The electrical stimulation generation circuit includes a working-electrode contact and a reference-electrode contact. The electrical stimulation generation circuit generates a first electrical signal at the working-electrode contact and further generates a second electrical signal at the reference-electrode contact. The first electrical signal comprises a plurality of first alternating-current (AC) pulses configuring to for electrically stimulate a target region of a target object.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system that has a patient interface between the eye and the laser system relying on suction to hold the interface to the eye. The patient interface may be a liquid-filled interface, with liquid used as a transmission medium for the laser. During a laser procedure various inputs are monitored to detect a leak. The inputs may include a video feed of the eye looking for air bubbles in the liquid medium, the force sensors on the patient interface that detect patient movement, and vacuum sensors directly sensing the level of suction between the patient interface and the eye. The method may include combining three monitoring activities with a Bayesian algorithm that computes the probabilities of an imminent vacuum loss event.

Abstract: A handheld device for delivering therapeutic light toward an eye of a patient includes a device housing that is configured to be held by a user in delivering the therapeutic light, a plurality of light sources disposed within the device housing, and an array of lenses disposed near the distal end of the device housing. Each light source is configured to independently emit a beam of therapeutic light and each lens of the array is aligned with a respective light source so that each beam of therapeutic light that is emitted from the respective light sources is focused and directed by the respective lenses of the array to target tissue of the eye in order to therapeutically treat to the target tissue.

Abstract: A time-series array of noise data is generated from an inverse frequency transform of the product of the frequency spectrum of an auscultatory sound signal with an associated noise filter generated responsive to a cross-correlation of frequency spectra of auscultatory sound signals from adjacent auscultatory sound-or-vibration sensors on the torso of a test subject. Noise power within at least one range of frequencies of average of frequency spectra from a plurality of windows of the time-series array of noise data is compared with a threshold to determine whether or not the associated auscultatory sound-or-vibration sensor is excessively noisy. In one embodiment, the noise filter is generated by subtracting from unity, a unity-normalized cross-correlation of frequency spectra of the auscultatory sound signals, wherein the resulting values are clipped so as to be no less than an associated noise floor.

Abstract: Transcorneal and fiberoptic laser delivery systems and methods for the treatment of eye diseases wherein energy is delivered by wavelengths transparent to the cornea to effect target tissues in the eye for the control of intraocular pressure in diseases such as glaucoma by delivery systems both external to and within ocular tissues. External delivery may be affected under gonioscopic control. Internal delivery may be controlled endoscopically or fiberoptically, both systems utilizing femtosecond laser energy to excise ocular tissue. The femtosecond light energy is delivered to the target tissues to be treated to effect precisely controlled photodisruption to enable portals for the outflow of aqueous fluid in the case of glaucoma in a manner which minimizes target tissue healing responses, inflammation and scarring.

Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

Abstract: Ophthalmic treatment systems and methods of using the systems are disclosed. The ophthalmic treatment systems include (a) a light source device; (b) at least one optical treatment head operatively coupled to the light source device, comprising a light source array, and providing at least one treatment light; and (c) a light control device, which (i) provides patterned or discontinuous treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye); or (ii) adjusts intensity of part or all of the light source array, providing adjusted intensity treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye). The at least one treatment light promotes corneal and/or scleral collagen cross-linking.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting presbyopia using a surgical excimer laser include activating the laser once and transmitting a pre-defined three dimensional ablation profile to treat presbyopia based on the single activating step.

Abstract: A photo-treatment device includes a treatment region that has a front side at which source radiation is to be emitted and an opposite, back side. A plurality of light guides are located beside the treatment region. The light guides capture excess radiation peripheral to the treatment region and redirect the excess radiation toward the back side of the treatment region.

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: A light based system for treating an eye includes a mask that is configured for positioning on the eye and a light source that is configured to deliver therapeutic light. The mask has an inner surface that is positionable against the eye and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface. The mask is optically opaque to prevent transmission of light through the mask and the mask includes at least one transparent opening that allows transmission of light through the mask to target tissue of the eye posterior the transparent opening. The light source is positioned relative to the mask so that the delivered therapeutic light irradiates at least a portion of the mask and the transparent opening. Therapeutic light traverses through the transparent opening to the target tissue positioned posterior the transparent opening.

Abstract: A method for positioning an input device of a workstation for use by a seated user in controlling a robotic surgery system is disclosed. The input device is operable to generate input signals representing a position of a hand controller moveable within an input device workspace. The method involves determining a vertical position of the hand controller within the input device workspace for an input signal received from the input device while a seated user's hand is grasping the hand controller in an initialization position defined with respect to the user's body. The method also involves determining a user ergonomic height of the input device based on the vertical position of the hand controller at the initialization position, and causing a platform of the workstation on which the input device is mounted to move vertically with respect to a base of the workstation to position the input device at the ergonomic height.

Abstract: A phototherapy or photobiomodulation process employing the application of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to a living organism, typically a human being. The EMR is generated by one or more strings of LEDs and is programmed to emit one or more wavelengths, typically in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, the EMR in each wavelength being delivered in pulses having specified on-times, off-times, photoexcitation frequencies, duty factors, phase delays, and power amplitudes. A system for providing such EMR includes a microcontroller having a pattern library of algorithms, each of which defines a particular sequence of synthesized pulses, and an application pad, preferably flexible, containing the LED strings.

Abstract: A portable emergency or medical package has: a body; a plurality of compartments for housing medical supplies, and a compartment for communication device, providing real time two-way communication between a user of the package and a communication appliance remote from the package, wherein the communication device is detachable from the remainder of the package. A method of delivering a package of emergency or medical supplies to a desired location provides control over the use of the medical supplies by a remote person. At the desired location, a user is instructed to remove the communication device from the package, which enables the provision of real time two-way audio communication between a remote person and the user and at least one way video communication to the remote person, whereby the remote person can provide instructions and directions to the user.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a cassette including a housing, a first pair of engagement surfaces, and a second pair of engagement surfaces. The housing includes a front end, a rear end, a sidewall, a first channel, and a second channel. The first pair of engagement surfaces are arranged to contact a guide wire with sufficient pressure such that when the engagement surfaces are driven, axial movement is imparted to the guide wire. The guide wire extends along the first channel, through the rear end of the housing, and through the front end of the housing. The second pair of engagement surfaces are arranged to contact a catheter with sufficient pressure such that when the engagement surfaces are driven, axial movement is imparted to the catheter. The catheter device extends along the second channel, the second channel arranged at an angle with respect to the first channel.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser surgical system uses a confocal detector assembly to continuously detect a confocal signal during laser treatment, and based on the confocal signal, detects in real time a loss of tissue contact with the patient interface (PI) output surface. The detection is partly based on the change of reflectivity at the PI output surface when the optical interface changes from a lens-tissue interface to a lens-air interface. The behavior of the confocal signal upon loss of tissue contact is dependent on the treatment laser scan pattern being performed at the time of tissue contact loss. Thus, different confocal signal analysis algorithms are applied to detect tissue contact loss during different scans, such as the bed cut and side cut for a corneal flap. The real time confocal signal may also be used during eye docking to detect the establishment of tissue contact with the PI output surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for analyzing heart rate Variability (HRV), and use thereof are provided. A low-cost, portable and wearable signal acquisition device is utilized to acquire electrocardiography (ECG) signals of epilepsy patients for 24 hours before treatment, and a time domain index, a frequency domain index and a nonlinear index of the ECG during a long term and during a short term are calculated with a programmed HRV analysis method, and the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) treatment for patients with medically intractable epilepsy is accurately and efficiently predicted based on characteristic parameters for characterizing an effect level of the vagus nerve regulating the heart rate, i.e., vagus nerve activity, thereby avoiding unnecessary costs and avoiding the delay of the optimal treatment timing. In addition, the characteristic parameters obtained by the HRV analysis on the ECG may be utilized to clearly select VNS treatment indication patients.