Abstract: It comprises a supporting structure in which at least one arm is slidably attached. Each arm comprises first and second members hinged to each other. The first member is rotatably hinged to the supporting structure and it can be rotated about a longitudinal axis and the second member may receive a joint having at least two degrees of freedom for attaching a tool. The longitudinal axis of the first member is substantially perpendicular to an axis joining the first member and the second member to each other. A simplified architecture is obtained allowing for accurate and efficient spatial movement of the tool holding arm.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes a motor system configured to drive drive-shafts and a steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive-shafts. A memory unit stores a plurality of operating programs or algorithms, each corresponding to a type of surgical instrument attachable to the electro-mechanical surgical device. The control system reads or selects from the plurality of operating programs or algorithms, the operating program or algorithm corresponding to the type of surgical instrument attached to the electromechanical surgical device.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical portal system, device and method may comprise a top ring assembly removably connected to an arm of a table mounted frame to provide stability and a secure trajectory. The portal system may include a top-ring assembly which may mount to an arm of a table mounted frame. The system may include a removable connection mechanism comprising a spring loaded collar configured to removably connect the top ring assembly to a table mounted frame. A variable adjustment positioner may be removably connected to the arm of the table mounted frame. The system may also include a depth positioning mechanism. The system may further include a light source configured to be placed down the portal tube.

Abstract: An apparatus having an excitation source that includes at least one laser diode and also having a handpiece with a disposable, bendable tip cannula is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and processes are described relating to laser-based ophthalmic intervention technologies and, more specifically, to techniques for delivering reproducible amounts of laser energy to create visible and sub-visible lesions on an eye. The subject technology may provide a user with the ability to adjust the amount of energy to be delivered to the eye tissue by selecting a single numerical value. In response, the system may adjust the power and/or duration of the laser treatment beam pulse according to an operating curve determined by the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for skin treatment and tissue remodeling. The apparatus includes an array of needles that penetrate the skin and serve as electrodes to deliver radio frequency current or other electrical or optical energy into the tissue being treated, causing thermal damage in controlled patterns. The damaged regions promote beneficial results such as uniform skin tightening by stimulation of wound healing and collagen growth.

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 steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a housing sleeve disposed in an inner bore of the handle configured to project a distance from the handle distal end, an optic fiber disposed in the housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve disposed over a distal end of the optic fiber, and a light source configured to connect to a proximal end of the optic fiber. The shape memory sleeve may be configured to curve the distal end of the optic fiber at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, when the shape memory sleeve is not contained within the housing sleeve.

Abstract: An adjusting ophthalmic docking system is described that includes a curved contact element, disposed on a procedure eye, a conformation platform at a distal tip of an optical system to support an adjustment of the curved contact element, and a connector to accommodate the adjustment of the contact element. The curved contact element can be a meniscus-shaped contact lens, with a proximal surface radius larger than a distal surface radius. The contact lens can be made of an approximately refractive index-matching material, such as a fluoro-polymer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a handheld laser treatment apparatus comprises: a handset including a treatment chamber, the treatment chamber having an open treatment aperture; a laser array arranged to project optical energy into the treatment chamber and coupled to a power source; at least one vacuum channel positioned within the treatment chamber and coupled to a vacuum source; a trigger sensor coupled to logic that controls activation of the laser array and the vacuum channel; an attachment sensor arranged to detect which of a plurality of attachments are inserted into the treatment chamber through the treatment aperture. The logic enables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a first attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture. The logic disables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a second attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a multifunction surgical apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical separator comprises: a base; a plurality of separation tongs each movably coupled to the base at their proximal end, wherein the tongs have distal ends each having a blunt profile; a cable coupled to the base, the cable including an optical fiber, where the base is arrange to position the optical fiber to aim an optical energy beam from the optical fiber out from the base and between the tongs at a centered point between the distal ends; wherein the cable further includes at least one element providing a control signal that controls operation of the tongs to move between and open position and a closed position; wherein when the distal ends of each of the tongs are positioned together into the closed position, the exterior profile of the tongs forms a wedge shape having a tip where the tongs meet.

Abstract: Switching power supplies made in accordance with the disclosed technology drive flash lamps of dermatologic treatment devices to emit a sequence of relatively small light pulses that are aligned with particular locations within the waveform of the AC line source. Such power supplies not only enable sufficient light energy in aggregate to therapeutically heat target chromophores in a skin region without causing undesired damage to surrounding tissue, but also provide the added benefit that the corresponding electrical energy need not be substantially drawn from any charged capacitor. The disclosed power supply further compensates for performance degradation of the flash lamps during their usable life, by modifying its operation based on predetermined values that are indicative of flash lamp aging/efficiency characteristics. The flash lamps and their associated stored values are preferably incorporated into a replaceable cartridge that facilitates user maintenance of the dermatologic treatment device.

Abstract: An ambulatory device for use in a therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment, the device comprises an organic light-emitting semiconductor which, in use, covers an area to be treated and emits electromagnetic radiation to cause said therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of the area. The light source may be extensive to provide uniform irradiation of the area to be treated and may be pulsed. The device may also include a photopharmaceutical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a control program for ophthalmologic LASIK surgery, with which a pulsed laser system can be controlled for the photodisruptive cutting of a flap, having the following steps: obtaining empirical data, which relate to the effect in particular of flap shapes and ablation profiles on postoperative refractive results, obtaining measurement data relating to the eye to be treated, calculating an optimal cutting shape for the photodisruptive cutting of the flap by taking into account the said empirical data and the said measurement data, and generating the control program on the basis of the calculated cutting shape.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed, comprising a tubular member with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member provides an elongated section having a substantially constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge (about 0.57 mm). The tubular member is in energy communication with an emulsification energy source disposed to deliver emulsification energy at the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member may also be in suction communication with a suction source disposed to deliver suction at the distal end of the tubular member. The medical instrument may be used in a method to remove lens fragments from the eye, through incisions in the eye that are small enough not to require suturing after the operation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of a patient's lung, for example, a lung exhibiting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in particular to methods and devices for affecting lung volume reduction, preferably for achieving acute or immediate lung volume reduction following treatment. The lung volume reduction is effected by delivering a condensable vapor at a temperature above body temperature to the desired regions of the patient's lung to damage tissue therein. Blood flow and air flow to the damaged tissue region is essentially terminated, rendering the target region non-functional. Alternative energy sources may be used to effect the thermal damage to the lung tissue.

Abstract: A method and device for stimulating human dermal tissue retraction and collagen and elastin production is provided. One or more lasers or other electromagnetic radiation devices produce at least two output beams (split or independent beams) that can be directed to deliver electromagnetic energy to a desired subsurface depth of dermal tissue, thereby disrupting the same, without causing excessive damage to the adjacent epidermis, subcutaneous fatty tissue, or blood vessels of the skin.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of skin including a treatment surface having numerous small energy emitting points for fractional skin treatment as well as negative pressure outlets. During a treatment, negative pressure from the outlets may exert a pulling force on an opposing tissue surface to bring the tissue into contact with the energy points.

Abstract: A scientific computer system with processor capable of recording, storing, and reprogramming the natural electrical signals of cancer cells as found in tumors of humans and animals. The reprogramming process is designed to create a confounding electrical signal for retransmission into a malignant tumor to damage or shut-down the cellular internal electrical communication system. Altering the electrical charge on the glycocalyx of the outer cell membrane is also part of the treatment by application of ions. The invention causes cancer cell death as a medical treatment using ultra-low voltage and amperage encoded signals which are reprogrammed from cancer cell communication signals.