Abstract: A robotic arm including a parallel spherical five-bar linkage with a remote center of spherical rotation. The robotic arm movably supports an endoscopic camera. Two outboard links are pivotally coupled together. At least one of the two outboard links supports the endoscopic camera. Two inboard links are respectively pivotally coupled to the two outboard links such that the two inboard links are able to cross over one another. The two inboard links moveably support the two outboard links. A ground link is pivotally coupled to the two inboard links. The ground link moveably supports the two inboard links.

Abstract: A medical treatment device to treat and join body tissues, includes at least a pair of holding members which is configured to hold the body tissues to be treated, an energy output portion provided on at least one of the pair of holding members and connected to an energy source to form a joined portion by supplying energy to the body tissues held by the pair of holding members to join the body tissues, and a join condition maintenance assistance portion capable of applying a substance which prevents infiltration of the fluid to the body tissues to be treated to provide assistance so that a joined state of the body tissues is maintained.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for increasing the amplitude of accommodation and/or changing the refractive power and/or enabling the removal of the clear or cataractous lens material of a natural crystalline lens is provided. Generally, the system comprises a laser, optics for delivering the laser beam and a control system for delivering the laser beam to the lens in a particular pattern. There is further provided a range determining system for determining the shape and position of the lens with respect to the laser. There is yet further provided a method and system for delivering a laser beam in the lens of the eye in a predetermined shot pattern.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a laser device for eye surgery used by ophthalmologists in the treatment with capsulotomy and iriditomy, and a device for selective laser trabeculoplasty. The essence of the ophthalmic laser combined device of the invention lies in that it has one single laser with one optical axis for both wavelengths; the basic wavelength of 1064 nm and the frequency doubled wavelength of 532 nm. Switching between both wavelengths is carried out by a polarization orientation switch. Frequency doubling is inactive at the wavelength of 1064 nm and it is active for the wavelength of 532 nm. At the wavelength of 532 nm additional optical elements for attenuating and collimating the laser pulse are switched on.

Abstract: A device and method for the treatment of the vaginal canal by a laser beam, includes a vaginal canal wall retractor, associated to a system for directing the laser beam towards a wall of the vaginal canal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser system and laser handpiece and process for skin treatment. The system includes components for producing a continuous or pulse laser beam, and components for delivering a substance to the damaged region of skin. The system is designed to control and utilize the laser beam for damaging small volume of skin tissue and using a disposable tip to deliver a substance which is applied simultaneously or with some delay producing a combination of laser action with the action of named substance at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing ophthalmic laser surgery using a pulsed laser beam is provided. The method includes establishing an initial cutting pattern comprising a plurality of original photodisruption points, establishing an enhanced cutting pattern comprising a plurality of enhanced photodisruption points selected to decrease potential adverse effects due to patient movement and having increased density over a fixed area as compared with the plurality of original photodisruption points, and performing an ocular surgical procedure according to the enhanced cutting pattern. Enhanced cutting patterns may include circular cuts around the periphery of a capsule, vertical side cuts for lens fragmentation, raster lamellar cuts, and grid lamellar cuts. Each photodisruption point in the initial cutting pattern and the enhanced cutting pattern comprises a laser target point.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiments, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Abstract: A method of force estimation for a minimally invasive medical system comprising a robot manipulator (10). The manipulator has an effector unit (12) equipped with a 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) force/torque sensor and is configured to hold a minimally invasive instrument (14) having a first end (16) mounted to the effector unit and a second end (20) located beyond an external fulcrum (23) that limits the instrument in motion, usually to 4 DOF. The method comprising the steps: —determining a position of the instrument relative to the fulcrum; —measuring by means of the 6-DOF 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: A catheter system to ablate target matter within a mammalian body using light energy is described. The system may include an open-ended catheter tip through which a liquid light guide medium flows to the target matter, where at least a portion of the liquid light guide medium exiting the catheter tip creates a fluid optical channel to transmit the light energy from the catheter tip to the target matter. The system may also include a catheter lumen whose distal end includes the open-ended catheter tip, a light source to generate the light energy, and a liquid light guide medium source fluidly coupled to the catheter lumen. The liquid light guide medium source may include a reservoir of the liquid light guide medium that includes a magnesium chloride solution or a lactated Ringer's solution.

Abstract: A method for laser eye surgery that accommodates patient movement includes: generating a first and a second electromagnetic radiation beam, the second beam configured to modify eye tissue; propagating the first beam to a scanner along a an optical path length that changes in response to eye movement; focusing the first beam to a first focal point within the eye; scanning the first focal point at different locations within the eye; propagating a portion of the first beam reflected from the first focal point location back along the variable optical path to a sensor; generating an intensity signal indicative of the intensity of the portion of the reflected first beam; propagating the second beam to the scanner along the variable optical path; focusing the second beam to a second focal point and scanning the second focal point to create an incision in the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a beam source, a free-floating mechanism, and a detection assembly. The eye interface device interfaces with an eye. The scanning assembly supports the eye interface device and scans a focal point of an electromagnetic radiation beam within the eye. The beam source generates the electromagnetic radiation beam. The free-floating mechanism supports the scanning assembly and accommodates movement of the eye and provides a variable optical path for the electronic radiation beam and a portion of the electronic radiation beam reflected from the focal point location. The variable optical path is disposed between the beam source and the scanner and has an optical path length that varies to accommodate movement of the eye. The detection assembly generates a signal indicative of intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beam reflected from the focal point location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical apparatus for skin treatment and to a method for controlling the optical apparatus. The optical apparatus includes a radiating part for radiating light generated in a light-generation part onto a target position of the skin, a cooling part for spraying cooling gas onto the target position to cool the surface of the skin, and a control part for controlling operations of the radiating part and cooling part. The control part controls the radiating part and the cooling part such that the radiating part radiates a first light onto the target position, the cooling part sprays the cooling gas onto the target position, and then the radiating part radiates a second light onto the target position.

Abstract: A skin treatment device having a treatment window for treating skin through the treatment window and a user guide to deliver a tactile feedback signal during movement in stepwise increments of the treatment window along the skin.

Abstract: A surgical device for performing surgery includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending from the handle assembly, an articulation mechanism, and an adapter. The elongate member has articulating and straight sections. The articulating section is configured to articulate with respect to the straight section. The adapter rotatably couples the elongate member with the articulation mechanism such that when the elongate member is in a first rotational orientation with respect to the articulation mechanism, the articulating section articulates toward a first direction relative to the straight section upon movement of the handle assembly towards the first direction with respect to the straight section and when the elongate member is in a second rotational orientation with respect to the articulation mechanism, the articulating section articulates toward a second direction relative to the straight section upon movement of the handle assembly towards the first direction with respect to the straight section.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a source of treatment radiation which is arranged to generate radiation at one of a plurality of radiation parameters (such as power levels), a control unit and a base unit. The control unit is arranged to removably dock with the base unit and includes a sensor which can sense one of a plurality of skin parameters, and an actuator for enabling a user to interface with the control unit. The control unit operates in a sensing mode, in which the control unit is undocked from the base unit to sense a parameter of skin to be treated (such as skin tone), and a control mode in which the control unit is docked to the docking unit and is arranged to select the power level of the radiation generated by the source.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity is adapted to articulate instruments inserted therein. The surgical apparatus includes an anchor member configured to form a sealing relation with a tissue, a balloon member and a plurality of articulating arms extending distally from the anchor member. Inflating and/or deflating the balloon member effectuate articulation of the articulating arms.

Abstract: A kit and/or method for use during surgery is configured to decrease the risk of accidental retention of foreign objects, such as surgical items or medical devices, used in surgery inside of a patient after the surgery is completed. Specifically, illustrative kits may include, but not be limited to, a combination of one or more foreign objects, an anchoring member attached to a point outside of the patient or surgical field, and at least one or more connection members connecting the foreign objects to the anchoring member. Illustrative methods may include, but not be limited to, anchoring one or more foreign object by one or more connection members, wherein a first end of each connection member is attached to the foreign object, and a second end of each connection member is attached to a junction member; attaching the junction member to an anchoring member; and attaching the anchoring member to a structure that is outside the patient or surgical field.

Abstract: A personal therapy compartment includes a base of size to receive a human patient. The compartment includes a bed in the base said bed being made of a light transmissive material. An array of lights mounted is below the bed to transmit light onto a body supported on the bed. A control panel controls at least the wavelength, intensity and pulsation of the light.

Abstract: A laser cutting device for transparent material (23), which device is designed to focus the laser light (2) into a plurality of predetermined spots within the material (23), wherein the spots lie on a predetermined cutting line or cutting area (24) running substantially perpendicularly to the direction of incidence of the laser light (2), wherein the device comprises means for mode conversion (3) into laser light having a helical phase front (5), which means can be brought into and out of the beam path of the laser light (2).