Abstract: A bio-signal measurement apparatus may include a first substrate and a second substrate, an optical sensor mounted in the first substrate, a force sensor disposed on or below the first substrate, and a separation structure interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to prevent transmission of a force between the first substrate and the second substrate. An upper surface of the first substrate and an upper surface of the second substrate may be provided at the same level.

Abstract: Apparatus for medical treatment includes a laser source, which is configured to output a beam of laser radiation. An optical device is configured to direct the laser radiation to impinge on a limbal area of an eye with optical properties chosen so as to apply a desired treatment to a tissue structure associated with a cornea of the eye within the limbal area.

Abstract: A micro-device for corneal cross-linking treatment includes a body including an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is disposed about a periphery of the inner portion. The inner portion is shaped such that, when the body is positioned against a surface of an eye, the outer portion contacts the surface of the eye and the inner portion defines a chamber over a cornea of the eye. The micro-device includes an illumination system including a micro-optical element coupled to the body. The micro-optical element is configured to direct photoactivating light to the cornea of the eye when the body is positioned against the surface of the eye. The photoactivating light generates cross-linking activity with a cross-linking agent applied to the cornea.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a risk factor related to dehydration and thermal stress of a subject are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: generate output signals, by one or more sensors worn on a body of a subject, conveying information related to one or more of location of the subject, motion of the subject, temperature of the subject, cardiovascular parameters of the subject; store information related to the subject; obtain the output signals; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of a water loss metric that correlates with estimated percentage of bodyweight of the subject lost in water; obtain heat index information for a contextual environment surrounding the subject; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of an exertion metric that correlates with exertion of the subject due to work; and determine in an ongoing manner values for an aggregated risk factor of the subject.

Abstract: A blood pump is described that includes an impeller having proximal and distal bushings, at least one helical elongate element, a spring that is disposed inside of the helical elongate element and along an axis around which the helical elongate element winds, and a film of material supported between the helical elongate element and the spring. A frame is disposed around the impeller. A flexible elongate element extends radially from the spring to the helical elongate element, and maintains the helical elongate element within a given distance from the spring, to thereby maintain a gap between an outer edge of a blade of the impeller and an inner surface of the frame, during rotation of the impeller. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless pacemaker, including a header assembly having an electrical feedthrough assembly incorporating a helix mount, is described. The header assembly includes a fixation element mounted on the helix mount. The helix mount is mounted on a flange of the electrical feedthrough assembly, and thus, the fixation element can attach the leadless biostimulator to a target tissue. An electrode of the electrical feedthrough assembly is mounted within the flange to deliver a pacing impulse to the target tissue. A ceramic portion of the helix mount is disposed between the flange and the electrode to block an electrical path between the electrode and the flange. Accordingly, the helix mount both retains the fixation element on the leadless biostimulator and electrically isolates the flange and electrode components of the electrical feedthrough. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An example fixation component for an implantable medical device (IMD) includes a base and tines extending from the base and being spaced apart from one another. The tines include a penetrator tine and a protector tine. The penetrator tine includes a curved section defining a deformable preset curvature that extends laterally from a proximal section that is fixed to the base, traversing a longitudinal axis of the fixation component, to a distal section that terminates in an incisive distal end that is configured to penetrate a tissue to form a puncture. The protector tine includes a curved section defining a deformable preset curvature that extends from a proximal section that is fixed to the base, outward from the longitudinal axis, to a distal section that terminates in a non-incisive distal end that is configured to pass through the puncture.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft, and an impeller disposed on the axial shaft. The impeller is configured to pump blood of the subject by rotating. The impeller and the axial shaft are configured to undergo axial back-and-forth motion during operation of the impeller. A distal tip element is disposed at a distal end of the blood pump. The distal tip element defines an axial-shaft-receiving tube, configured to receive at least a portion of the axial shaft during forward motion of the axial shaft. The distal tip element additionally defines an atraumatic distal tip portion disposed distally of the axial-shaft-receiving tube. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a laser is scanned across biological tissue to alter the characteristics of the tissue. To alter the optical characteristics of a cornea, the laser is scanned in an annular pattern over a region having a ratio of the outer diameter of the region to the inner diameter of the region. The laser may also be used to irradiate cartilage in joints to treat osteoarthritis.

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.