Abstract: Disclosed adjustable retaining arm systems can include a multi-segmented, articulable arm that holds one or more interchangeable tools and can be made relaxed to set a desired position and made rigid to fix the desired position by adjusting tension in a cable running through the arm. The arm can quickly attach and detach from a support structure. The support structure include a cable tensioning system, sensors, control system, power system, etc. A user input device, such as a foot pedal or button on the arm, can be used by a surgeon to change the arm between relaxed and rigid states. The arm and attachable tools can be detachable, disposable and/or sterilizable, while other system components can remain mounted in a fixed location as the arm is removed and replaced. The arm can hold multiple tools in any desired orientation around subject work location.

Abstract: A system and method for prompting a patient experiencing ventilatory depression to breathe includes at least one sensor for detecting ventilatory depression by detecting inadequate breathing or lack of breathing in the patient. The system also includes one or more sensors for determining the type of breathing problem experienced by the patient. A sensor for detecting motion of the patient is used to determine whether the patient is moving. If inadequate or a lack of breathing is detected and the patient is not moving, the system provides verbal prompts or tactile stimuli to prompt the patient to breathe to improve patient ventilation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling interface between a laser source and a tissue (2) to be treated, characterized in that the coupling interface comprises —a ring (3) including: ?a side wall (31), ?a proximal end (311) intended to come into contact with the tissue (2) to be treated, and ?a distal end (312) intended to receive the end of the laser source; —a window (32) transparent to a laser beam generated by the laser source, said window being mounted in a sealed manner on the distal end (312) of the ring (3) in such a way as to close the distal end (312) of the ring (3).

Abstract: A foot pedal for a user interface of a robotic surgical system includes a frame, a lever, and a sensor system. The lever is coupled to the frame and is pivotable relative to the frame between an initial position and a fully actuated position. The sensor system has a first element associated with the frame and a second element that is associated with the lever. The sensor system is configured to determine the position of the lever relative to the frame.

Abstract: The patient interface may comprise an axis for alignment with an axis of the eye such as an optical axis of the eye. The interface may comprise a guide to allow the interface to move along the axis with the eye, which can inhibit increases in intraocular pressure when the patient is aligned with the laser. The interface may comprise a lock to hold the patient interface at a location along the axis, which can maintain alignment of the patient with the laser eye surgery system. The interface may comprise a plurality of transducers to measure forces to the eye during surgery. The laser eye surgery system can be configured in one or more of many ways to respond to the measured forces. For example, the system may offset the position of laser beam pulses to increase the accuracy of the placement of the beam pulses on the eye.

Abstract: A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a suitable set of parameters for operating a light source within a photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium is disclosed. The method includes, before administration of a treatment protocol: 1) administering at least one laser pulse from the light source at a preset power level to a location to be treated, the preset power level being below a known damage threshold; 2) measuring a skin surface temperature at the location to be treated, following administration of the at least one laser pulse; 3) estimating a relationship between the parameters for operating the light source and the skin surface temperature; and 4) defining a safe operating range for the parameters for operating the light source in order to avoid thermal damage to the medium at the location to be treated while still effectively targeting the chromophore in administering the treatment protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein relating to an intracardiac blood pump system comprising a pump, an elongate multi-lumen catheter, a compartment connected to the catheter, a first lumen, a conduit and a filter disposed within the conduit. At least one electronic element is located within the compartment. The conduit extends through an interface between the compartment and the catheter. The conduit is configured to allow gas to penetrate from a first end of the conduit through the first opening of the compartment to a second end of the conduit. The second end of the conduit is in fluid communication with a central lumen of the elongate multi-lumen catheter. The filter is configured to prevent egress of liquid from the multi-lumen catheter into the compartment after allowing flow of gas from the first end of the conduit through the second end of the conduit and into the multi-lumen catheter.

Abstract: A method of imaging an object includes obtaining an image data set from a raster scan. The image data set has a plurality of data points, each data point having an associated location and intensity; generating a reduced data set by selectively removing one or more data points from the image data set based upon an assigned probability of retaining the one or more data points in the data set, the assigned probability being a function of the intensity of a data point; generating a triangulation graph as a planar subdivision having faces that are triangles, the vertices of which are the data points and the edges of which are adjacent vertices; and segmenting the triangulated data set by finding a path with lowest cost between that vertex and every other vertex, wherein the cost is a function of the respective intensity of the vertices.

Abstract: The present invention is a vessel sealing and cutting system (10) comprising a surgical equipment (20) comprising a lower jaw (222) and an upper jaw (212) in a manner defining a holder tip (24) grabbing the tissues containing vessels, and a lower body (21) embodied at the continuation of said upper jaw (212), and a laser source (50) connected to said surgical equipment (20), characterized by comprising a module housing (215) embodied in a manner extending inside said lower body (21) and said upper jaw (212), and a laser module (30) which transmits a laser light to the grabbing region (61) from said holder tip (24) in a simultaneous manner with the closing of the jaws and positioned in said module housing (215) in a manner connected to said laser source (50) from one end thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a phototherapy eye device. In an example, the phototherapy eye device includes a number of radioluminescent light sources and an anchor. Each radioluminescent light source includes an interior chamber coated with phosphor material, such as zinc sulfide, and containing a radioisotope material, such as gaseous tritium. The volume, shape, phosphor material, and radioisotope material are selected for emission of light at a particular wavelength and delivering a particular irradiance on the retina (when implanted in an eyeball). The wavelength is in the range of 400 to 600 nm and the irradiance is substantially 109 to 1011 photons per second per cm2.

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 using liquid used as a transmission medium for the laser. During a laser procedure sensors monitor the level of liquid within the patient interface and send a signal to control electronics if the level drops below a threshold value. The sensor may be mounted on the inside of the patient interface, within a fluid chamber. Alternatively, a gas flow meter may be added to a suction circuit for the patient interface that detects abnormal suction levels indicating low fluid level.

Abstract: A detector system for a medical motor system includes a multi-channel redundantly-configured detection device, which is accommodated in a hand-held control device that is adapted to control the medical motor system and which is positioned to detect the actuation of an actuation device of the hand-held control device. The multi-channel redundantly-configured detection device allows the plausibility of its output signals to be checked.

Abstract: Disclosed is an applicator device for an apparatus used in a localized cryotherapy treatment. The applicator device is configured, when positioned over a body area to be treated, to receive and to uniformly distribute across the entire area covered thereby a stream of medium, such as air, adjusted to a temperature equal to or above ?40 degrees Celsius (° C.) and directed, at a predetermined speed, via the applicator to the area to be treated, whereby a cold-induced thermal shock response is developed in skin and an underlying tissue within the area covered by the applicator. Related apparatus and a method are further provided.

Abstract: A surgical tool having a compact design is disclosed. The tool has a first set of prongs disposed along a first axis, a second set of prongs disposed along a second axis different from the first, and an asymmetric gear set. The gear set includes a rotatable first drive gear disposed on one of the first set of prongs and a rotatable first actuator gear disposed on one of the second set of prongs. The first drive gear is configured to drive the first actuator gear, forming a first gear pair. The gear set also includes a rotatable second drive gear disposed on one of the first set of prongs and a rotatable second actuator gear disposed on one of the second set of prongs. The second drive gear is configured to drive the second actuator gear, forming a second gear pair. The first gear pair and the second gear pair have different diameters.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for acquiring personal health information and a method therefor, the device: easily and periodically acquiring, anytime and anywhere or without regard to place and time, information on ambient temperature/humidity and health information of an individual, such as the state of skin (including hair), a nose, ears, and a mouth associated with an ENT clinic, the teeth associated with a dental clinic, skin moisture, and body temperature, through image information having multiple functions and a multifunctional health care sensor; enabling the acquired health information to be accumulated over in a personal terminal or computer by analyzing, storing, and making the same into data, and continuously managing the periodically accumulated personal health information such that the personal health information can be used as critical information by which a disease cause and the like can be fundamentally understood during an incidence of disease in the future.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of a subject comprises heating a skin surface, abrading native skin tissue of a subject using a microdermabrasion device, wherein using the microdermabrasion device comprises moving the microdermabrasion device relative to the skin surface while simultaneously delivering at least one treatment fluid to the skin surface being treated and cooling the abraded skin surface.

Abstract: There is provided a system (100) for assessing delirium in a subject. The system includes a neural activity assessment module (102) for assessing neural activity data associated with the subject. The system also includes a delirium cause assessment module (104) for assessing data relating to at least one factor of a plurality of factors which contribute to the cause of delirium. The system also includes an intervention determination module (106) for determining, based on the assessment performed by the delirium cause assessment module, at least one intervention for reducing the contribution made by the at least one factor. A computer-implemented method and an apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser probe includes a cannula, at least one optical fiber positioned within the cannula, and a lens positioned within the cannula at a distal end of the fiber. The lens is adapted to receive a laser beam from the optical fiber at a proximal end of the lens and to transmit the laser beam towards a distal end of the lens. The laser probe includes an optical element configured coupled to the cannula by a brazed joint and to receive the laser beam from the distal end of the lens and emit the laser beam from the probe. The brazed joint may form a hermetic or liquid-tight seal between the optical element and the cannula.