Abstract: An adapter assembly selectively interconnects a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector. The end effector includes a first axially translatable drive member and a second axially translatable drive member. The surgical device includes a first rotatable drive shaft and a second rotatable drive shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an active implantable medical device of the cardiac resynchronizer type. The device includes a pulse generator to produce pacing pulses, at least one detection electrode for detecting atrial and ventricular events, at least one stimulation electrode, a memory storing executable instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to apply an atrioventricular delay (AVD) between a sensed or stimulated atrial event and the delivery of a ventricular pacing pulse, quantify a degree of fusion between the delivery of a pacing pulse to a cavity and a spontaneous contraction of another cavity, calculate a fusion rate, and modify the value of the AVD applied to the delivery of said ventricular pacing pulse, as a function of a comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing light radiation onto an intended treatment area to create an optimum power density in order to promote photobiostimulation to aid in the healing of damaged tissue in the intended treatment area. The apparatus includes a light emitting element capable of simultaneously emitting multiple beams of light radiation have multiple wavelengths onto a target surface area. A hand guide protects the hand of a user from being irradiated and a distance control element ensures a optimum distance between the light emitting element and the target surface area. The apparatus includes multiple layers of safety features to prevent thermal damage of the target surface area and to prevent leakage of the non-focussed light radiation into the atmosphere. The method includes steps for using the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: An intracardiac ultrasound catheter or other intravascular imaging tool is provided with an adapter to allow the imaging tool to be used both subcutaneously and supracutaneously, and especially at different stages of a single intravascular procedure. The adapter covers a tip of the imaging tool and preferably includes an echogenic window to facilitate gathering of ultrasound images through this window in the adapter. With the adapter in place, the intracardiac ultrasound can be used supracutaneously, such as at a femoral artery/vein location for imaging to improve vascular access, such as with an appropriate percutaneous needle. The adapter is then removed and the same imaging tool can be inserted percutaneously and intravascularly for use, such as in intracardiac imaging accompanying and intracardiac procedure. The intracardiac ultrasound probe is preferably coupled to an electrophysiology mapping system both when used supracutaneously and when used intravascularly.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are implemented for controlling stimulus of a cell. One such method is implemented for optical stimulation of a cell expressing an NpHR ion pump. The method includes the step of providing a sequence of stimuli to the cell. Each stimulus increases the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. Light is provided to the cell to activate the expressed NpHR ion pump, thereby decreasing the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell.

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: Photobiomodulation or low level light therapy is applied to the brain using a treatment protocol that shows improvement in treating a number of disease states and injuries of the brain. A laser probe including an LED cluster is placed perpendicular to the skull at a plurality of identified treatment points on the patient's skull for durations of 1 minute with pulsed waveforms at each location. The pattern for the treatment points varies by disease or injury state being treated. The treatment period is typically on nonconsecutive days for 6 weeks (3 times per week) or 9 weeks (2 times per week) per treatment protocol. Patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, balance issues, concussions, depression, strokes, and other brain diseases or injuries have shown dramatic improvement under such treatment protocols.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for measuring physiological signal. The system includes a plurality of electrodes and a measurement apparatus. A plurality of first electrodes of the electrodes are attached on a first area of a subject. A plurality of second electrodes of the electrodes are attached on a second area of the subject. The measurement apparatus is coupled to the electrodes and performs testing on the first electrodes and the second electrodes to obtain a plurality of testing results. The measurement apparatus selects one of the first electrodes as a first measuring electrode and selects one of the second electrodes as a second measuring electrode according to the testing results. The measurement apparatus measures a physiological signal of the subject through the first measuring electrode and the second measuring electrode.

Abstract: The pericardiocentesis needle is fitted with sensors, such as at least one electrode or at least one magnetic field sensor, and preferably both a proximal and a distal electrodes or multiple magnetic field sensors. These electrodes or other sensors are coupled to an electrophysiology mapping system configured to display cardiac structures on a display. The electrodes or other sensors on the needle cause a position, and preferably also orientation, of the needle, and especially the tip of the needle, to be visualized on a display of the electrophysiology mapping system, in accurate position relative to adjacent cardiac structures. In other embodiments other transcutaneous devices such as dilators and sheaths can be similarly fitted with electrodes or other sensors for visualization of such other devices within a display of an EP mapping system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser system with a patient's eye using a single-piece patient interface (PI). The PI includes a hollow shell, with an applanation lens and a flexible skirt at its lower end. Through channels are formed around the applanation lens to connect the spaces above and below the lens. When the PI is coupled to the laser system and the eye, the upper rim of the shell forms a seal with the laser system and the flexible skirt forms a seal with the eye. A vacuum is applied to the interior of the shell via a vacuum port on the laser system, and the vacuum is communicated to the space enclosed by the applanation lens, the skirt and the eye through the channels around the lens. A magnetic mechanism is also provided to hold the PI shell to the laser system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device (e.g., a Pockels cell) positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an anti-tumour immunologic response by thermotherapy of a treatment lesion covering at least a portion of a tumour is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heating probe comprising an optical fiber and a cooling catheter. The optical fiber is inserted in the cooling catheter. Further the heating probe has a light emitting area, and the heating probe is interstitially insertable into the tumour of the treatment lesion. The heat probe is internally cooled by a fluid circulating in said catheter. The apparatus further comprises a first thermal sensor member having at least one sensor area. The first thermal sensor member is positionable at a distance from said boundary. The apparatus also comprises a control unit for controlling a power output of said light source based on a measured first temperature.

Abstract: A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a plurality of radiant beams, i.e., laser light beams, through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the beams. The shaped beams are applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the beams—pulse length, power and duty cycle—the beams can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal phototherapy or photostimulation.

Abstract: A Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system has a processor that performs two different analyses to an ECG of the patient. A first-level analysis can be computationally economical, while a fuller second-level analysis can give shock/no-shock advice with more certainty. In some of these embodiments the second-level analysis of the ECG is performed only if the first-level analysis of the ECG detects a possible shockable condition. As such, the first-level analysis may operate as a gatekeeping function, often preventing the more computationally intensive second-level analysis from being performed. An advantage can be that the WCD system needs to store less charge, for powering the processor. In turn, this permits portions of the WCD system to be less bulky and weigh less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible and stretchable electronic device based on a biocompatible film. The biocompatible film is utilized as an encapsulation layer and a substrate layer of the device; a bonding layer is provided between the encapsulation layer and a functional layer; and an adhesion layer is arranged under the substrate layer. The functional layer employs a flexible and stretchable structure. Solution-based transfer printing technology is primarily used during the preparation of such a device to achieve integration of the functional layer and the flexible substrate layer. This device retains and even enhances the flexibility and stretchability structurally. Meanwhile, the biocompatibility properties thereof, such as being waterproof and air permeable, hypoallergenic, etc., allow it to work normally on the human body surface for more than 24 hours without foreign body sensation and discomfort, and thus, skin maceration, redness or other allergic reactions due to poor biocompatibility can be avoided.

Abstract: A control console is disclosed for controlling one or more medical devices. The control console communicates to at least one medical device, and at least one peripheral module associated with the medical device if needed. The control console has a microprocessor for processing data to direct an operation of the medical device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a distal portion. A force sensor is operatively mounted on the distal portion. The force sensor includes a wireless package, which wirelessly provides (1) identification information of the surgical instrument and (2) strain data related to the distal portion. A surgical end effector includes a jaw and the distal portion is on a non-contact portion of the jaw. The wireless package includes a surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The wireless package also includes a small folded antenna electrically coupled to the surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The identification information includes an identification of a type of surgical instrument and unique identification of the specific surgical instrument in the type of surgical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a user include a housing custom fitted to a user anatomy; a microphone to capture sound coupled to a processor to deliver enhanced sound to the user anatomy; an amplifier with gain and amplitude controls; and a learning machine (such as a neural network) to identify an aural environment and adjusting amplifier controls to optimize hearing based on the identified aural environment.

Abstract: A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomian gland to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften the obstruction.