Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual's response to the questions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided, comprising proximal and distal end sections each comprising an area of articulation, as well as a flexurally rigid central section arranged therebetween. The proximal end section can be connected to an actuating device. A tool which can be driven by means of a drive element can be connected to the distal end section. To provide greater flexibility and a greater working area, the instrument further comprises outer and inner hollow cylindrical shafts and a control element which is arranged between the shafts. Two or more longitudinal elements extend at least substantially from the proximal to the distal area of articulation of the instrument and transfer traction and/or pressure forces. The longitudinal elements are arranged at essentially regular angular distances in a circumferential direction of the instrument and are connected to one another in the circumferential direction at their proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A medical sleep disorder arrangement integrates into current diagnosis and treatment procedures to enable a health care professional to diagnose and treat a plurality of subjects suffering from insomnia. The arrangement may include both environmental sensors and body-worn sensors that measure the environmental conditions and the condition of the individual patient. The data may be collected and processed to measure clinically relevant attributes of sleep quality automatically. These automatically determined measures, along with the original sensor data, may be aggregated and shared remotely with the health care professional. A communication apparatus enables the healthcare professional to remotely communicate with and further assess the patient and subsequently administer the treatment. Thus, a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment is provided while reducing the required clinician time per patient for treatment delivery.

Abstract: A wireless system for neurological and physiological monitoring of a patient. The system includes a patient monitoring unit having a headcap and a belt. The headcap includes a wireless communication module, an antenna, and an amplifier. The headcap further includes at least one of a biopotential electrode, a temperature sensor, a rotation sensor, an accelerometer, and an airflow sensor. The belt includes a respiration sensor comprising a carbon nanotube-based strain sensor. The system also includes a base receiver-server unit including a wireless receiving unit, a data storage unit, and a network communications unit. The system also includes a client monitoring unit which includes a processor, a network communications unit operably coupled to the processor, and a storage medium operably coupled to the processor, wherein the storage medium includes program instructions executable by the processor for receiving and processing data from the patient monitoring unit.

Abstract: An application identification sensor comprises a plurality of emitters configured to transmit light into a tissue site and a detector configured to receive the light after tissue absorption. The detector generates a signal responsive to the intensity of the light and communicates the signal to a monitor. An information element is readable by the monitor so as to identify a sensor application. The monitor presets at least one user-selectable operational parameter in response to the information element.

Abstract: A medical device implant made with a shape-memory material is originally produced in a “permanent” configuration. The implant is then “programmed” into a temporary (typically smaller sized) configuration to facilitate implantation, after which, an external stimulus activates the implant to return to its permanent configuration. Apparatus and methods include inserting a first portion of the implant into an aperture of a compression fixture base, heating the implant, and then driving and compressing the remaining portion of the implant, which has a different, typically larger profile than that of the first portion, into the aperture with a compression fixture cover to “program” the remaining portion. The resulting programmed implant has first and remaining portions that have identical, or substantially identical, profiles.

Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device or external device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying laser nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.

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 minor defining the output coupler and a second, independent mirror for adjustment.

Abstract: A surgical data monitoring and display system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a data storage module that stores retrospective data and real-time surgical data concerning a patient, a first processing module that receives and processes the retrospective data into processed retrospective data, and a second processing module that receives and processes the real-time data into processed real-time data. Each of the first processing module and the second processing module transmits their processed data to first and second display modules, respectively, before or during performance by a healthcare provider of a medical or surgical procedure on the patient.

Abstract: The medical communication system comprises a plurality of medical identification devices (12). Each identification device (12) is attached to one particular patient (14). A registration processor generates a unique patient identification data that is stored in an electronic patient identification code memory (54). Each identification device (12) includes an intra-body wireless communication device (16) which transmits the patient's identification on the patient's body. A medical device (22), which is linked to the patient (14) to measure a vital function, periodically automatically receives the patient's identification code to continually ensure association to a correct patient.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease is provided. The method includes providing a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease. The method further includes delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion of the brain of the patient. The light energy has a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, and the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto-titrating a surgical laser are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: providing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm is operable to configure the laser based on one or more user inputs; providing a first user input operable to cause the algorithm to execute and fire the laser in a defined pattern; providing a second user input, in response to an observed condition, operable to cause the laser to stop firing and to cause the algorithm to determine one or more laser parameter values and configure the laser based on the one or more laser parameter values, wherein a final laser power value when the laser stops firing is an input to the algorithm and wherein the algorithm determines the one or more laser parameters based on the final laser power value. The method can further comprise placing the laser in a “ready” (surgical) mode, either automatically by the auto-titration algorithm or via another user input.

Abstract: An externally-applied heat exchange pad has three layers laminated together, an inner and outer non-conductive layer and a middle conductive layer. A leak in the inner layer causes coolant to contact the middle layer and change impedance, which can be sensed and used as an indication of an impending total leak of the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, for selective thermal treatment of tissue, below the surface, while avoiding injury to the superficial layers of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a reflective beam conversion system for providing a pre-selected therapeutic dose of light energy of optimal spectrum and optimal pulse duration to a confined target volumes at predetermined depth under the tissue surface, while reducing the thermal exposure of the surface of the tissue, and the overlying and surrounding tissues. The method is advantageous for treating a variety of medical and dermatological conditions in a safer and more effective manner.

Abstract: Methods for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy are disclosed herein. A method for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy includes determining which hemisphere of the brain requires treatment using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression. In an embodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. In an embodiment, the methods may be used to treat a psychiatric disorder co-morbid with depression.

Abstract: A light emitting device to awaken an animal and stimulate the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in the brain to suppress melatonin secretion. The device can be programmed for an initiation time, color of light, brightness, frequency of pulsating light, and level of gradual intensity. It has the advantage of being silent and does not to disturb other people sleeping in the same room.

Abstract: A mechanism which constrains the spatial location of a working or a focal point of a tool (103), has a manipulator (101) and a remote center mechanism (102) mounted thereon. The manipulator (101) provides at least one degree of freedom for positioning the remote center mechanism (102) which itself provides at least a further degree of freedom for positioning a tool holder suitable for holding the tool (103) which is to be constrained in operation with respect to a remote center point. The orientation of the tool holder is adjustable while still maintaining the position of the remote center point fixed with respect to the manipulator (101).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an actual value of at least one system parameter or a deviation from a set value of at least one parameter of a system for the treatment of an eye using a treatment laser beam emitted by said system. According to the invention, the surface of a calibrating body is ablated with at least a partial beam of the treatment laser beam with a predetermined ablation program. The surface ablated by the treatment laser beam is examined by means of aberrometry and/or profilometry. The actual value of the system parameter or the deviation from the set value of the system parameter is determined on the basis of the examination data detected during the examination.

Abstract: A medical workstation is defined by a supporting structure having at least one medical diagnostic instrument disposed thereupon. A first display is further disposed on a first side of the supporting structure and a second display is disposed on a second side of the supporting structure in a manner substantially opposite from the first display. Each of the first and second displays are interconnected to the at least one medical diagnostic instrument to permit at least one of the displays in order to display diagnostic results and are tandemly or independently controllable.

Abstract: A safety and health information reporting system including a wearable device, a metabolic index calculating part, an activity index calculating part, a safety and health status determining part and a determination result output part. The wearable device is worn by a living body. The metabolic index calculating part calculates a metabolic index which represents energy consumption of the living body, based on a detection signal of the wearable device. The activity index calculating part calculates an activity index representing an activity amount of the living body on a daily basis. The safety and health status determining part which determines a safety and health status of the living body, based on a comparison of the metabolic index and the activity index. The determination result output part outputs a determination result of the safety and health status determining part.