Abstract: A protective handle for a mobile laser unit wherein the protective handle provides protection to a front section of the mobile laser unit from damage due to bumps and other impacts as the mobile laser unit is transported between treatment locations. The protective handle simultaneously acts to protect an attached optical fiber from damage during transport by limiting a bend radius of the laser fiber. The protective handle includes a U-shaped central segment having rear and forward surfaces defining a fiber optic support structure. The protective handle is attached to the mobile laser unit such that an optical fiber connector is centered within the U-shaped central segment and the optical fiber can rest on the fiber optic support structure.

Abstract: A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source to generate a pulsed laser beam, an XY scanner to receive the pulsed laser beam and to output an XY-scanning beam, scanned in two directions transverse to a Z direction, a Z scanner in a scanner housing to receive the XY-scanning beam and to output an XYZ-scanning beam scanned additionally in the Z direction, a mirror to deflect the XYZ-scanning beam received from the Z scanner, and an objective, in an objective housing, to receive the deflected XYZ-scanning beam and to focus the received XYZ-scanning beam onto a target region, wherein the scanner housing is separate from the objective housing.

Abstract: A medical manipulator system includes a medical manipulator, an operating unit for inputting operation commands, motors for driving a working unit, a controller for driving the motors based on operation commands supplied from the operating unit, and an LED that displays an operational state. The controller carries out controls for distinguishing between an operational mode in which the operation command is validated and the motors are driven, and a stopped mode in which the motors are halted regardless of whether the operation command is present or not. An illumination state of the LED is switched dependent on whether the system is in the operational mode or the stopped mode. The LED is disposed in the center of an upper surface of a bridge, which interconnects a grip handle and an actuator block.

Abstract: Methods for treating fungal infections of the hand or foot use applications of low level laser energy to the infected area to inhibit fungal growth. A laser device is used to produce one or more low-level laser beams, typically in the range of 400-800 nm emanated at a power of less than 1 watt. The laser light is scanned across the infected area for a predetermined duration. Preferably, the duration is between about 10 and 30 minutes, so that at least 0.5 joules of laser energy is applied. Preferably, about 10 joules of laser energy is applied. The application may be repeated, and is preferably repeated once, about five weeks after the first application. A topical medication, such as an antifungal cream, may be used in conjunction with the laser light to speed up fungal removal.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes an instrument driver and an instrument assembly operatively coupled to the instrument driver such that mechanisms of the instrument driver operate or control movement, operation, or both, of components of the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly components include an elongate flexible guide instrument, an optical light source, a camera and a working tool, wherein the light source, camera, and working tool are carried in one or more lumens of the guide instrument. An operator control station is operatively coupled to the instrument driver via a remote communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating presbyopia are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, by way of example only, a method of treating presbyopia of an eye includes ablating the stroma to form a final ablated shape in the stroma, the final ablated shape including a central zone defined by a concavity having a central zone depth and a central zone diameter, the central zone depth and the central zone diameter each selected to provide the cornea with a near-vision add power after the epithelium is regenerated over the stroma.

Abstract: A method to perform high resolution tissue ablation including the steps of forming a beam to deliver optical energy and providing an energy dissipating material is provided. The steps of selecting an area of interest in a target tissue and placing the energy dissipating material adjacent to the area of interest may be included. The steps of directing the beam to the area of interest and scanning the beam across the area of interest to ablate the target tissue may be further included. Also provided is an apparatus and a system for high resolution tissue ablation including a beam to provide optical energy and an injector for placing an energy dissipating material adjacent to an area of interest. Further, the apparatus and system may include at least a mirror and a lens for directing the beam to the area of interest and scanning the beam to ablate target tissue.

Abstract: A medical instrument for use on a patient. The medical instrument includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electric motor mounted to the housing having a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis, a drive magnet fixed to the drive shaft of said motor which rotates with the drive shaft about the drive axis, and a tool assembly coupled to the housing via a tool mount. The tool mount orients the tool assembly relative to the housing whereby guided rotational, translational, and/or oscillary motion of a tool within the tool assembly is achieved via the structure of the tool mount in conjunction with a magnetic coupling between magnets attached to both the motor and the tool.

Abstract: A system detects whether a pneumatic surgical instrument is attached to a surgical system. A drive valve has an input for connection to a source of pressurized air, an output for connection to the surgical instrument, and an exhaust for exhausting pressurized air during operation of the surgical instrument. A pressure transducer in communication with the exhaust senses a pressure profile of air flow from the exhaust. A first sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is connected to the output and a second sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is not connected to the output. A detection circuit connected to an output of the pressure transducer detects whether the surgical instrument is attached to the surgical system based on the sensed pressure profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides for safe and reliable electronic circuitry that can be employed in ingestible compositions. The ingestible circuitry of the invention includes a solid support; a conductive element; and an electronic component. Each of the support, conductive element and electronic component are fabricated from an ingestible material. The ingestible circuitry finds use in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are a locking mechanism including a male extension including a straight portion and a graduated step portion; and a female extension configured to receive the male extension, and including a pair of protruding tabs, which are spaced apart to allow the straight portion of the male extension to pass through a space between the protruding tabs, and which contact the graduated step portion if the male extension is inserted a first predetermined distance into the female extension.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Quantitative information describing diagnostic characteristics associated with a patient is generated based on an analysis of a set of patient scans. The quantitative information comprises a set of indictors associated with regions of interest in the set of scans for the patient. The set of indicators of potential neuropsychiatric conditions is compared with a set of diagnostic signatures. A diagnostic signature comprises a set of indicators of a known neuropsychiatric condition. Matching signatures are identified. A matching signature is a diagnostic signature that corresponds to at least one indicator in the set of indicators to form a set of signatures. A diagnosis associated with each signature in the set of signatures is identified to form a set of potential diagnoses. The set of potential diagnoses is presented with links to relevant portion of the medical literature.

Abstract: A medical device system includes a manipulator including a plurality of joints, a parameter storing portion for storing joint parameters, including a largest available force, of each joint of the plurality of joints, a trajectory inputting portion for inputting, as a trajectory plan, trajectories for moving a distal end of the manipulator from a current position and attitude to a target position and attitude, a trajectory setting portion for setting a joint angle trajectory for each joint providing a largest available force from among joint angle trajectories which allow movement to the target position and attitude with a minimum number of driven joints based on a largest available force parameter for the each joint stored in the parameter storing portion and the trajectory plan.

Abstract: System and method of photoaltering a material. The system includes a laser source operable to produce a primary pulsed beam, a holographic optical element configured to receive the primary pulsed beam and transmit a plurality of secondary beams, and a scanner operable to direct the secondary beams to the material. The secondary beams are based on the primary pulsed beam. The method includes phase shifting a pulsed laser beam to produce an input beam, holographically altering the input beam to produce a plurality of transmission beams, and scanning a portion of the material with the transmission beams.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes i) an input interface for use by a person to submit user profile data, physical data and psychological data to the system, the physical data representing heart rate, blood pressure, and other biophysical parameters of the person, the psychological data representing quality of life and needs satisfaction and other psychological parameters of the person, ii) an analyzer for processing the physical data and psychological data to generate risk profile data based on criteria data for conditions and iii) an output interface for providing risk profile displays using the risk profile data to present for the person risk levels associated with the conditions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided having proximal and distal end sections and a central section extending therebetween. An hollow outer shaft extends from the proximal to the distal end section. A drive element is rotatably mounted in the outer shaft and a tool is coupled to the drive element at the distal end section. The drive element comprises a flexible section arranged between the proximal and distal end sections which consists of a plurality of ring segments each of which has a first and a second end region. The first end region comprises projections which protrude in the axial direction and the second end region comprises recesses for accommodating the projections. The ring segments intermesh in an articulated manner by means of the projections and recesses. The outer shaft comprises an articulation zone which connects the distal end section and the central section together in an articulated manner.

Abstract: A method and device for flapless, intrastromal keratomileusis for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, i.e., for vision correction by corneal reshaping without creating a flap. Ultra-short laser pulses are used to create a temporary micro-channel extending to an end point located within the cornea. A second series of ultra-short laser pulses are then delivered to photo-ablate material in the vicinity of the micro-channel end-point. The photo-ablated material may exit through the micro-channel used to deliver the laser pulses, or via a separate micro-channel. With the micro-channel oriented substantially normal to the optical axis of the cornea, and by continuing to supply the ultra-short laser pulses in the appropriate number while moving the point of ablation along the micro-channel, the photo-ablation of the intrastromal tissue may continue in a controlled fashion and the cornea reshaped in a predetermined manner without creating a flap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for photodynamic therapy and fluorescence detection, in which a combined light source is provided to illuminate an object body and a multispectral fluorescence-reflectance image is provided to reproduce various and complex spectral images for an object tissue, thus performing effective photodynamic therapy for various diseases both outside and inside of the body.

Abstract: A dermatological treatment device is disclosed for generating a matrix of two dimensional treatment spots on the tissue. A handpiece carrier a laser which generates a beam of laser pulses. The pulses are focused onto the tissue with a lens system. A diffractive element is positioned between the laser and the lens system for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of sub-beams. A scanner translates the beam over the diffractive element to generate the two dimensional spot pattern. The laser has a semi-monolithic resonator design with one integral end mirror defining the output coupler and a second, independent mirror for adjustment.

Abstract: Personal and family health history information can be used to assess familial risk of disease. For example, information can be collected about the disease history of a person and the person's first- and second-degree relatives and then analyzed to determine the familial risk of common diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer. Assessed familial risk of disease can then be used by researchers to better estimate the contribution of personal history and family history to the etiology and natural history of a disease of interest, and by consumers and health professionals to determine recommendations for disease management, prevention and screening that are personalized and targeted to the familial risk. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.