Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating melasma and/or related hyperpigmentation disorders of a patient are disclosed. The treatment includes delivering laser pulses onto a body of the patient, wherein the delivering laser pulses includes two or more of the following steps: 1) delivering laser pulses p1 onto the body, wherein each pulse of the laser pulses p1 is configured to have a diameter of at least 100 ?m and a duration of at most 1 ?s; 2) delivering laser pulses p2 onto the body, wherein each pulse of the laser pulses p2 is configured to have a diameter of at least 100 ?m and a duration of more than 1 ?s; 3) delivering laser pulses p3 onto the body, wherein each pulse of the laser pulses p3 is configured to comprise a plurality of microbeams, each microbeam having a diameter below 1 mm.

Abstract: A cold plasma system and method for treating a region of a biological surface is presented. In one embodiment, the system includes: a housing; an air conduit within the housing; a first electrode configured proximately along the air conduit; a second electrode configured proximately along the air conduit and opposite from the first electrode; and a source of alternating current (AC) electrically connected with the first electrode. The source of alternating current is configured to generate cold plasma in the air conduit.

Abstract: Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a light-based medical device that uses light to luminesce tissue, and collect the reflected light, to perform analysis on the reflection characteristics in real-time to detect the type of surrounding tissue as well deeper tissue in the trajectory of the luminescence. Such device can be incorporated inside needles, catheters, tubes or piercing or biopsy tools, surgical blades, surgical tweezers, and so on, to direct their insertions and operations in specific zones. Importantly, because of the easy-to-use design, embodiments can be used without the need of highly trained personnel or expensive hospital equipment. Therefore, embodiments can be utilized in emergency situations that require fast responses, performed in ERs, moving vehicles, ambulances, and battlefields.

Abstract: An information processing method includes: obtaining first image data indicating an image of at least one portion of a face of a target person from a camera connected to or built into a first computer; obtaining cerebral blood flow information indicating a state of cerebral blood flow of the target person from a detector that is connected to or built into the first computer and that detects the cerebral blood flow information; and displaying, on a display connected to or built into a second computer connected to the first computer through a remote network, an output image including a first image based on the first image data and a second image based on the cerebral blood flow information. The first image is a moving image including the at least one portion of the face, and the second image indicates changes over time in the cerebral blood flow information.

Abstract: A microcurrent treatment device has one or more electrodes or emitters configured for electrical communication with the surface of a subject's skin. A voltage or current supply is adapted to generate an electrical waveform or other energetic waveform for application to the skin surface, via the one or more electrodes or emitters, and a controller is configured to modulate the waveform. The controller can modulate consecutive pulses of the waveform so that the pulse width, period, frequency, amplitude or integrated amplitude of the consecutive pulses varies in a predefined, random, pseudorandom, or other aperiodic manner, or so that the pulses exhibit a degree of statistical randomness, over a predefined period. The period can cover a set of consecutive pulses defining a treatment cycle, or a continuous subset of consecutive pulses defining one or more phases of a treatment cycle.

Abstract: An instrument system includes a flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a backend mechanism coupled to the proximal portion of the flexible shaft, and a plurality of tendons. The backend mechanism includes a plurality of capstans. Each capstan engages a respective drive motor that rotates to cause rotation of the capstan. A first capstan of the plurality of capstans is engageable with a first respective drive motor while a second capstan of the plurality of capstans is disengaged from a second respective drive motor. Each of the plurality of tendons includes a proximal section coupled to one of the plurality of capstans and a distal section coupled to a member disposed at the distal portion of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for treating occlusions in body lumens. The catheter includes a catheter body that is fillable with fluid. An impactor is connected to the distal end of the catheter body and has a proximal end inside the catheter body and a distal end outside the catheter body. The catheter also includes a shock wave source configured to generate a shock wave, and a deflector coupled to the proximal end of the impactor in between the shock wave source and distal end of the catheter body. When the shock wave source generates a shock wave, the shock wave impinges on the deflector causing the deflector to advance in a forward direction in conjunction with the impactor such that the distal end of the impactor delivers a mechanical force to the occlusion to restore flow to the body lumen.

Abstract: A method for treating a skin lesion can include lowering a temperature of a treatment site to a temperature range sufficient to induce vasoconstriction in a dermis of the treatment site and administering a laser light through a medium to the skin lesion while maintaining the temperature of the treatment site within the temperature range. The medium can include a first portion and a second portion, where the laser light is transmitted through the first portion and the second portion sequentially, the second portion includes a contact surface for contacting the treatment site, and the second portion has a higher thermal conductivity than the first portion. The method can further include identifying the skin lesion and analyzing one or more characteristics of the skin lesion.

Abstract: Example systems, methods, and apparatus, including cognitive platforms, are provided for computing performance metrics of an individual based at least in part on user interaction(s) with computerized tasks and/or interference and at least one physiological measure of the individual, where the performance metric provides an indication of the cognitive abilities of the individual. The apparatus can be coupled to at least one physiological component to perform the physiological measurement of the individual. The apparatus also can be configured to adapt the tasks and/or interferences to enhance the individual's cognitive abilities.

Abstract: An esophageal monitoring device includes a camera and, optionally, one or more lights to enable visualization of an interior of a subject's esophagus. Visualization of the interior of the subject's esophagus before and after a left atrial ablation procedure may enable a healthcare provider to determine whether or not the left atrial ablation procedure has damaged the subject's esophagus before the subject experiences any symptoms of such damage. An esophageal monitoring device may also include sensors and/or markers that enable a determination of its location within a subject's esophagus. Such an esophageal monitoring device may be configured for three-dimensional mapping, and enable the generation of an accurate three-dimensional map of the physical relationship between a subject's esophagus and the left atrium of his or her heart. Methods of monitoring a subject's esophagus while a left atrial ablation procedure is being conducted on the subject's hear are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a sleep disorder treatment including an input device a light-emitting device for use in precise tissue heating and tightening, including one or more light settings, a processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the processor, the memory containing instructions configuring the processor to receive user data from the input device, receive diagnostic test data from a plurality of diagnostic tests, wherein a diagnostic test comprises a nocturnal polysomnography test, generate a plurality of light emission parameters for the one or more light settings as a function of the user data and treat user with the light-emitting device in oral tissue area.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positioning of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed to establish programming of an implantable electrical neurostimulation device for treating chronic pain of a human subject, through the use of a dynamic model adapted to determine pain treatment parameters for a human patient and identify a new device operational program to implement the pain treatment parameters to address the chronic pain condition.

Abstract: A biological information monitoring system includes: a biological information monitoring apparatus that monitors biological information of an organism wearing the biological information monitoring apparatus on an ear; and a charger that charges the biological information monitoring apparatus in a non-contact manner. The charger charges the biological information monitoring apparatus when the biological information monitoring apparatus is not monitoring biological information.

Abstract: A surgical laser system includes a pump module configured to produce pump energy within an operating wavelength, a gain medium configured to convert the pump energy into first laser energy, a non-linear crystal (NLC) configured to convert a portion of the first laser energy into second laser energy, which is a harmonic of the first laser energy, an output, and a first path diversion assembly having first and second operating modes. When the first path diversion assembly is in the first operating mode, the first laser energy is directed along the output path to the output, and the second laser energy is diverted from the output path and the output. When the first path diversion assembly is in the second operating mode, the second laser energy is directed along the output path to the output, and the first laser energy is diverted from the output path and the output.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation (EMR) delivery system for delivering EMR at wavelengths, intensities, exposures, and durations to locations inside and/or outside a patient's body in, on, and surrounding a tubular structure such as a tube, catheter, and/or a catheter extension to prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate infectious agents in, on, or surrounding the tubular structure. A smart light engine box generates the therapeutic EMR, controls treatments, and monitors the health of the system. A fiber optic disposable makes at-home use of the EMR delivery system possible. Specific embodiments of the EMR delivery system for use with peritoneal dialysis catheters, dialysis accesses, and hemodialysis accesses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrode array for monitoring of physiological parameters and devices including or utilizing same, the electrode array including an active electrode configured to provide an electrical signal and at least two inactive electrodes configured to collect the electrical signal transferred from the active electrode, wherein each of the at least two inactive electrodes are positioned at a different predetermined distance from the active electrode.