Abstract: The laser micro-porator (10) for porating a biological membrane (1), comprises: a) a laser source (7) that emits a pulsed beam (4), the laser source (7) comprising a laser diode (7c); b) optics (8a,8b,8x) that modify the pulsed beam to direct a laser beam (4) of less that 1 mm width on the biological membrane (1); c) a deflector (8f) oriented to direct the laser beam (4) in various directions; d) a laser beam shaping device that reshapes the energy intensity distribution of the laser beam (4); and e) a poration controller (11) that controls the laser source (7) to create a poration consisting of a plurality of individual pores (2) in the biological membrane (1).

Abstract: Described is a device for irradiating a body with actinic radiation. The device comprises one or more elements allowing the person to stand, sit or lie in a position allowing said actinic radiation to impinge on at least a part of the body; one or more elements allowing control of the intensity, irradiance, dose, and/or time of irradiation of said actinic radiation; and one or more elements comprising at least one source of radiation that emits radiation of at least two different wavelengths, at least one of the wavelengths being in the visible range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for treating the retina and/or other areas of a patient's eye. The procedures may involve using one or more treatment beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation or laser coagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth to induce one or more therapeutic benefits. In other embodiments, a series of short duration light pulses (e.g., between 5-15 microseconds) may be delivered to the retinal tissue with a thermal relaxation time delay between the pulse to limit the temperature rise of the target retinal tissue and thereby limit a thermal effect to only the retinal pigment epithelial layer. Such procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and/or other conditions of the eye. The treatment beam may be delivered within a treatment boundary or pattern defined on the retina of the patient's eye.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods involving the use of magnetic resonance imaging and optogenetic neural stimulation. Aspects of the disclosure include modifying a target neural cell population in a first region of a brain to express light-responsive molecules. Using a light pulse, the light-responsive molecules in the target neural cell population are stimulated. Multiple regions of the brain are scanned via magnetic resonance imaging. The scans allow for observation of a neural reaction in response to the stimulation in at least one of the multiple regions of the brain.

Abstract: A highly secure instrument adapter includes a handle with an internal locking and release mechanism which does not use a pushing release and which requires little physical effort to lock and release, yet provides a stable and secure connection between an instrument and the handle. The locking mechanism is comprised an ergometric handle having an open handle cavity, a receiver having an internal threaded tubular body and a plurality of locking apertures, and a rotating collar having a limited range of rotation, a plurality of fingers that project outward from the flattened surface on a spacer structure, and a plurality of circular apertures placed alternately between said fingers.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting and/or treating lower urinary tract conditions. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a medical device. The medical device includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and an end effector assembly that extends distally from the distal end of the elongate member. The end effector assembly includes a plurality of end effector units. Each end effector unit has a sensing element for detecting a location of abnormal organ function and a treatment element for treating the location of abnormal organ function.

Abstract: A photodisruptive laser delivery system and method for use in eye surgery. The photo disruptive laser delivered in pulses in the range of <10000 femtoseconds, used to create incisions in eye tissue is delivered by novel means to minimize optical aberrations without the use of a complex system of multiply precisely arranged lenses. This novel means include a scanning design that allows the focusing lens to always remain under normal incidence to the photodisruptive laser beam, negating the need for overly complex aberration correction set up. The focusing lens is configured to move within a surrounding beam to facilitate two dimensional controls over the treatment space. Controlling beam divergence prior to focusing allows for 3D incisions. The system and methods of use accomplish precise treatment without the need to contact the patient and can be integrated into standard surgical microscopes to improve operational efficiency and hospital workflow.

Abstract: Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides for eyeglasses used together with contact lenses to deliver light therapy to the wearer. The eyeglass lenses or frames feature an embedded light source in logical and electrical communication with power, sensors, processors, and other components contained within the eyeglasses. The eyeglass lenses or frames project light into complimentary contact lenses which refract, diffract or reflect light into the wearer's eyes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for regulating bone remodeling or tooth movement, comprising allowing a functional appliance to exert a force on oral or maxillofacial bone, muscle, or soft tissue, or one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the oral or maxillofacial bone, muscle, or soft tissue, or one or more teeth, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the force is exerted. Methods are also provided for regulating bone remodeling, comprising administering an effective amount of vitamin D to an oral or maxillofacial bone, muscle, or soft tissue, or to one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the oral or maxillofacial bone, muscle, or soft tissue, or to the one or more teeth. Apparatuses useful for providing light therapy and/or vitamin D is also provided.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a housing tube having a first housing tube portion with a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion with a second stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed in the housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, an optic fiber, and an optic fiber sleeve. 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 that the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the optic fiber sleeve, the actuation structure, and the housing tube. The optic fiber sleeve may enclose at least a portion of the optic fiber and the optic fiber sleeve may be disposed within the actuation structure and the housing tube. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to curve the housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed in the flexible housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation control of the handle, a housing tube having a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end, a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness, a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the housing tube, and a cable disposed within the housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for providing a dermatological treatment includes a handheld device body, a radiation source supported in the device body, an automated scanning system, an application end, and a displacement control system. The automated scanning system is configured to receive an input beam generated by the radiation source and scan the received input beam to provide a series of output beams for delivery to the skin via the application end of the device to form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin. The application end is configured to be manually moved across the surface of the skin during a treatment session. The displacement control system includes a displacement sensor configured to determine a displacement of the device relative to the skin, and electronics configured to control at least one operational parameter of the device based on the determined displacement of the device relative to the skin.

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 actuation control of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the flexible housing tube, and a cable disposed within the flexible housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: A short wavelength visible light-emitting toothbrush with an electronic interlock control device preventing operation when the toothbrush is removed from the user's mouth. The electronic interlock control over operation is necessary to prevent accidental eye exposure to the high intensity light source with a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm. The light-emitting toothbrush activates upon formation of an electrical circuit between the brush handle in contact with the users hand and the brush head or brush bristles in contact with moisture contained in a human mouth such as saliva or water mixed with toothpaste but deactivates immediately when removed from the mouth, thus protecting the user's eyes from direct exposure to the high power light source contained in the brush-head.

Abstract: A method of integrating bone and implant material includes drilling a hole in either one of the bone and the implant material through to a junction of the bone and the implant material by applying a laser beam to either one of the bone and the implant material and integrating the bone and the implant material by applying a laser beam to the junction through the hole drilled at the drilling.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical aimer including a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a handle coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a mechanism for coupling the shaft to the handle and releasing the shaft from the handle.