Abstract: Devices and methods for impinging light on tissue to induce one or more biological effects, and more particularly illumination devices and related methods that may be used for intranasal delivery of irradiation are disclosed. Exemplary illumination devices may include a light guide that is optically coupled with a light source, where the light guide may be configured for insertion along one or more intranasal passageways. In this manner, the light guide may provide irradiation of light to tissues along or near the upper respiratory tract to prevent and/or treat various infections and other tissue conditions thereof. Light guides may include flexible materials with suitable dimensions and/or shapes that allow the light guides to follow variable paths of intranasal passageways during use.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter systems are described that detect an oxygen level of a user and/or monitor a user's heart rate. The pulse oximeter systems are configured to provide an alert when a user's detected oxygen level decreases below an established oxygen level, and/or when a user's heart rate decreases below a lower threshold value and/or increases above an upper threshold value. For example, an alert may be provided when a user's detected oxygen level decreases by more than about five percent (5%) of an established oxygen level. In some instances, an operator can set a level at which an alert will be provided.

Abstract: An optically stimulating module to be integrated into a probe is implantable into a living being with a view to locally illuminating a region of said living being. The module includes a casing, and a hermetic electronic unit housed in the casing. The hermetic electronic unit includes two luminous diodes connected back-to-back, and at least two electrical contacts for connecting the module to an electrical power source.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding the removal of cataracts in which an optical fiber delivers sufficient optical energy of the correct wavelength, pulse duration to achieve controlled non-thermal and non-acoustic dissolution of hard cataract tissue.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a plurality of sensors wearable on different parts of a human body and a controller configured to acquire an output value of each of the sensors. The sensor each outputs an output value to calculate the same type of biological information by optical measurement, the controller selects either the sensor on the basis of each output value of the sensors, and determines a measured value of the biological information on the basis of an output values of the sensors selected.

Abstract: A system for extracting lens material from an eye including an instrument having a first aspiration pump driven by a drive mechanism having a motor, and an elongate member sized and configured to extend through an anterior chamber to a capsular bag of the eye. The elongate member configured to be oscillated by the drive mechanism includes an inner lumen fluidly coupled to the first aspiration pump and defining at least a portion of an aspiration waste line, and an open distal end having a distal cutting tip. The system can further include a fluid system remote from the surgical instrument including a second aspiration pump and a fluid line configured to deliver background aspiration from the second aspiration pump to the inner lumen of the elongate member to aspirate the lens material from the eye towards the inner lumen. Related devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of novel devices, systems, and methods of utilizing mixed-ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) materials adapted to function with an applied current or potential. The materials, as part of a circuit, are placed in contact with a part of a human or nonhuman animal body. A sodium selective membrane system utilizing the MIEC is also described.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument, comprising: a shaft; an end effector element; an articulation at a distal end of the shaft for articulating the end effector element, the articulation comprising a first joint permitting the end effector to adopt a range of configurations relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the first joint being driveable by a first pair of driving elements; and an instrument interface at a proximal end of the shaft, comprising: a chassis formed from the securement of a first chassis portion to a second chassis portion, wherein the first pair of driving elements are secured relative to the chassis, the chassis portions being configured to be secured together by sliding the chassis portions relative to each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A joint ring includes a main body part and a pair of protrusion parts protruding from a first surface of the main body part in a direction of a central axis thereof and having spherical surfaces on protruding portions. The main body part includes a pair of engagement holes and a pair of receiving holes. The protrusion parts include engagement parts which are configured to be capable of being inserted into the engagement holes. When the joint rings are arranged in the direction of the central axis and the protrusion parts of a first joint ring enter the receiving holes of a second joint ring, the spherical surfaces come into contact with receiving surfaces inside the receiving holes, and the first joint ring and the second joint ring become rotatable relative to each other with a line segment connecting centers of the respective spherical surfaces as a rotational center.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable infrared physiotherapy instrument (10), comprising a shell (100), a power source (200), a fan (300), an infrared emission assembly (400) and a guide tube (500). The infrared emission assembly (400) comprises a fixing frame (410), and an electric heating wire (420) wound around the fixing frame (410), the electric heating wire (420) being capable of simultaneously generating visible light and heat after being energized, and the heat heating a rare earth coating on the outer surface of the electric heating wire, thereby changing the frequency range of the visible light so as to obtain infrared rays. The power source (200) drives the fan (300) to rotate so as to drive external air to enter the interior of the shell (100) from an opening of a first end of the shell (100) and form an air flow inside the shell (100), and the infrared rays and the heat are guided to the guide tube (500) under the action of the air flow and are discharged from one end of the guide tube (500).

Abstract: A method of non-surgical correction of joint deformity using a therapy stimulator machine that includes a first and second handheld probe electrode; using the hand held probe electrodes with water to apply pressure to locations and wiggle the probe electrodes around the joint to stimulate directing toxic waste to the blood circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to determine an indication of discharge readiness for a patient using received physiologic information of the patient corresponding to hospitalization of the patient and received physiologic information of the patient corresponding to a time after hospitalization.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure through a single incision in a patient's body includes a gross positioning arm supported on a moveable platform, the gross positioner including a head; at least one articulated tool positioning apparatus coupled via a tool controller to an underside of the head, the articulated tool positioning apparatus being configured to receive a tool for performing surgical operations, the tool controller being actuated by the head to cause movements of the articulated tool positioning apparatus for performing surgical operations; and wherein the gross positioner is configured to permit the head to be positioned to facilitate insertion of the articulated tool positioning apparatus through the incision into the patient's body.

Abstract: Various examples are described for detecting heart rate and respiratory rate by using measurements of light applied to skin through an article. For example, a sensor application obtains a set of measurements of light. The application compensates for a contribution of the article based on one or more known optical properties of the article. The sensor application further determines, from the set of measurements of light, a periodic change in amplitude. The sensor application identifies the periodic change in amplitude as a heart rate having an identical periodicity. The sensor application identifies a respiratory rate as equal to the rate of change of the heart rate.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus for operatively correcting myopia or hyperopia in an eye includes a laser device controlled by a control device and that separates the corneal tissue by applying a laser beam. The control device controls the laser device to emit the laser beam into the cornea such that a lenticule-shaped volume is isolated in the cornea. The control device, when controlling the laser device, predefines the lenticule-shaped volume such that the volume has a minimum thickness of between 5 and 50 ?m. For myopia correction, the minimum thickness occurs on the edge of the volume, and for hyperopia correction the minimum thickness occurs in the region of the visual axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide hydrodissection and/or PCO prevention or reduction in a patient undergoing eye surgery. In one embodiment, the invention is a surgical device for cutting and excising a portion of tissue, for example in performing a lens capsulotomy. A capsulotomy tip is inserted into an eye through an incision in the surface of the eye. The capsulotomy tip includes a suction cup to provide suction to the lens capsule. Then suction is applied via the suction cup to secure the capsulotomy tip to the eye. In some embodiments, after the capsulotomy tip is secured to the lens capsule, a cutting element of the capsulotomy tip is used to cut a tissue of the eye. Fluid is pushed through the capsulotomy tip and the capsulotomy tip is removed from the eye. Moreover, disclosed is an intraocular lens (IOL) to be used in conjunction with the surgical device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, an end effector, and an evacuation port. The elongated shaft extends distally from the handle assembly and includes an outer wall. The end effector is coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The evacuation port is configured for fluid communication with a suction device. A portion of the evacuation port is disposed within the outer wall of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments for protecting low-pressure blood pressure sensors in high-pressure fluid flow applications by equalizing pressure on both sides of a pressure sensor's diaphragm during high pressure are disclosed. A sensor protection device may include a pressure sensor assembly, a housing, and a plunger assembly. During low pressure, fluid in the primary flow path can flow through the housing, transferring its pressure to a first side of the diaphragm; the plunger assembly can prevent fluid flow into a secondary flow path in the housing, transferring atmospheric pressure to a second side of the diaphragm. During high pressure, fluid can still flow through the primary flow path, and the plunger assembly may now allow fluid flow into the secondary flow path, transferring pressure from the same fluid to the second side of the diaphragm to equal pressure across the diaphragm. The plunger assembly may automatically transition between low- and high-pressure configurations.

Abstract: An optogenetic system and method for preventing or halting seizures. The system and method use a sensor for monitoring the activity of a neural network containing a group of target neurons, and generating an input signal indicative of said activity, the target neurons being excitatory neurons. Excitatory stimulation is delivered in the form of an optical signal by an optical stimulator to the target neurons, the optical signal being determined based on the input signal, to reduce the overall activity of the target neurons.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.