Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for hair-growth control of hairs (3), in particular hairs growing from human skin (5). The device (1) has a laser source (7) for generating a laser beam (9) during a pulse time, an optical system (15) for focusing the laser beam into a focal spot (25), and a laser beam manipulator (17) for positioning the focal spot in a target position. According to the invention, a dimension of the focal spot (25) and a power of the generated laser beam (9) are such that, in the focal spot (25), the laser beam has a power density which is above a characteristic threshold value for hair-growth related skin tissue above which, for the pulse time, a laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) phenomenon occurs in the hair-growth related skin tissue. The LIOB phenomenon results in a number of mechanical effects, such as cavitation and the generation of shock waves, which damage the hair-growth related skin tissue in positions surrounding the LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: A liquid-containing heat filter for use with a high-intensity light, said liquid-containing heat filter comprising a substantially hollow reservoir for receiving heat-filtering liquid therein, the reservoir comprising a first optically transparent member, a second optically transparent member, and a peripheral frame for receiving and retaining said first optically transparent member and said second optically transparent member, heat-filtering liquid disposed in said substantially hollow reservoir, and a first resiliently deformable member interposed in trapped relation between the first optically transparent member and a first portion of said peripheral frame, wherein, in use, when the heat-filtering liquid in the reservoir raises in temperature due to the heating effect of the high-intensity light, the first resiliently deformable member is compressed to thereby allow the outward movement of the first optically transparent member due to expansion of the heat-filtering liquid.

Abstract: Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

Abstract: A tool comprises an articulation mechanism comprising a pair of links. The pair of links include a proximal link on a proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on a distal portion of the tool. Movement of the proximal link causes corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The tool further includes an end effector coupled to the distal link, an elongated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal links, and a rotating member operably coupled to the shaft. The tool further includes an articulation lock adjustable between a locked configuration in which the proximal link, the distal link, and the end effector are held in a fixed orientation with respect to the shaft while the rotating member is operable to rotate the shaft about the longitudinal axis and an unlocked configuration in which the end effector is movable with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a flashlamp (2) in a skin treatment system (1) comprises the steps of establishing a conductive path between the flashlamp (2) and a charged capacitor (4) causing a free discharge within the flashlamp, and interrupting said conductive path so as to cut off the current through the lamp when the current density drops below a predetermined current density threshold level (Ix) or when the energy applied to the skin reaches a certain maximum (EM).

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation lever, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. An actuation of the actuation lever about a pivot pin of the handle may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of the actuation lever about the pivot pin of the handle may gradually straighten the optic fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as lenses, a system and a method for providing custom ocular aberrations that provide higher visual acuity. The apparatus, system and method include inducing rotationally symmetric aberrations along with an add power in one eye and inducing non-rotationally symmetric aberrations along with an add power in the other eye to provide improved visual acuity at an intermediate distance.

Abstract: A method of force estimation for a minimally invasive medical system including a robot manipulator having an effector unit equipped with a 6-degrees-of-freedom force/torque sensor and being configured to hold a minimally invasive instrument having a first end mounted to the effector unit and a second end located beyond an external fulcrum that limits the instrument in motion, where the method includes determining a position of the instrument relative to the fulcrum, measuring by means of the 6 degrees of freedom force/torque sensor a force and a torque exerted onto the effector unit by the first end of the instrument, and calculating by means of the principle of superposition an estimate of a force exerted onto the second end of the instrument based on the determined position, the measured force and the measured torque.

Abstract: Light therapy is provided to a subject through a sleep mask. The sleep mask is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation to the closed eyelids of the subject within a defined optimal wavelength band that is therapeutically impactful in modulating circadian and related systems of the subject.

Abstract: Articulating mechanisms, link systems, and components thereof, useful for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, the remote manipulation of instruments such as surgical or diagnostic instruments or tools, are provided. The link systems include links wherein torque can be transferred between at least two adjacent links while allowing for pivoting motion between the links. Mechanisms for preventing undesired lateral movement of links relative to one another are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of fungal infections and/or other foot skin disorders, comprises a shoe-type housing having a substantially hollow interior forming a treatment chamber, a supporting platform disposed within the hollow chamber; so that a foot of a patient positioned within the treatment chamber is supported by the platform, so that nails are disposed at the lower level of the front part of the chamber, whereas the heel of the foot is being elevated a rear part thereof. A delivery and control assembly for the aqueous solution is provided. At least one light delivery arrangement is disposed within or in the vicinity of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.

Abstract: A light emitting device for use as a hair removal device is provided. The light emitting device has at least one radiation source for electromagnetic radiation providing at least one operating beam during operation of the device, a housing being intransparent for the operating beam having an output opening, at least one radiation source for electromagnetic radiation providing at least one sensing beam during operation of the device, at least one detector for detecting the sensing beam, at least one sensing window having a contact boundary surface, and a controller communicating with the radiation source providing the operating beam and with a detector and being operable to influence operation of the radiation source providing the operating beam responsive to the sensing beam detected at the detector.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle, a housing sleeve, a first portion of the housing sleeve having a first stiffness, a second portion of the housing sleeve having a second stiffness, an actuation control of the handle, an optic fiber disposed in an inner bore of the handle and the housing sleeve, and a shape memory wire having a pre-formed curve. An actuation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the housing sleeve and the optic fiber. An actuation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the housing sleeve and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an auto-fixing actuation control, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, a first flexible housing tube portion having a first stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. An actuation of the auto-fixing actuation control may gradually curve the flexible housing tube. A gradual curving of the flexible housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch with one hand comprises an upper arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, a lower arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, and a hinge member fixedly joining the proximal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, wherein an upper surface of the upper arm distal portion abuts a lower surface of the lower arm distal portion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a catheter patch assembly may be secured against a lower surface of the upper arm distal portion. The distal portion of the lower arm may include a securing mechanism for securing the catheter patch assembly to the applicator assembly. A method of applying a catheter patch is provided.

Abstract: A device for cutting hair is disclosed that includes a laser beam generator (2) and a polarisation controller (6) configured to polarise the laser beam (10) and substantially align the polarisation of the laser beam with a longitudinal axis of a hair to be cut. Also disclosed is a method of cutting hair using a laser beam to cut hair. The method including generating and polarising the laser beam to substantially align the polarisation of the laser beam with a longitudinal axis of a hair to be cut.

Abstract: An embodiment of a medical device includes a proximal handle, a distal end effector, an elongate member connecting the end effector to the handle, and a sheath enclosing at least a portion of the elongate member. The handle may include a first mechanism coupled to one of the sheath and the elongate member to move the sheath relative to the elongate member, a second mechanism coupled to the elongate member to rotate the elongate member relative to the handle, and a locking mechanism coupled to the first mechanism to hold the first mechanism in a default position. Embodiments also include methods of positioning the medical device to perform a medical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing phototherapy to an infant use the determined position and/or posture of an infant to provide effective phototherapy through a set of light sources, to avoid electromagnetic radiation from the light sources directly impinging on the eyes of the infant, and to reduce or limit the level of electromagnetic radiation leaked into the environment.