Abstract: A method is disclosed for the treatment of a thoracic region of a patient's body. Embodiments of the method comprise positioning an energy delivery portion of an electrosurgical device to face a segment of a thoracic vertebra at a distance from the segment; and cooling the energy delivery portion and delivering energy through the energy delivery portion.

Abstract: An activity monitoring device and associated methods for using and interfacing with the activity monitoring device are provided. In one example, the activity monitoring device includes a housing configured for attachment to a body part of a user. Also included ins a display screen attached to the housing and a sensor for capturing physiological conditions of the user. The sensor is disposed along a surface of the housing so that the sensor is proximate to the body part, the body part having at least some exposed skin. The activity monitoring device also includes memory for storing the captured physiological conditions, and a processor for examining the captured physiological conditions. At a particular time, the processor automatically selects an application to execute from a plurality of applications based on characteristics of the captured physiological conditions.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery (CAS) navigation assembly comprises a micro-electromechanical sensor (MEMS) navigation unit having one or more MEMS to provide at least orientation data. A support receives the MEMS navigation unit therein, the support being adapted to be mounted on the instrument in a fixed orientation relative to established navigated features of the instrument. At least two mating ball-in-socket features are disposed between the MEMS navigation unit and the support at opposed ends thereof for releasably engaging the MEMS navigation unit in precise orientational alignment within the receptacle, the at least two mating ball-in-socket features comprising catches aligned along an axis extending between the opposed ends, at least one of the catches being a biased catch. A method of connecting a MEMS navigation unit with a mating support fixed to a CAS instrument navigated by the CAS system is also provided.

Abstract: An ophthalmological device (10) for the treatment of corneal diseases such as keratocanus and glaucoma, comprises a molding head (12), a suction body (14) and a UV lamp (15). The molding head (12) has a hollow cylindrical configuration and includes a rigid molding lens (18) for shaping the cornea of an eye (11) of a patient. The lens is curved and defines a plurality of apertures therein. The suction body (14) has a hollow cylindrical configuration. The lamp (15) is fitted to the suction body. Molding head (12) and suction body (14) together define a chamber (32) from which air is evacuated so as to induce a partial vacuum within the chamber (32) for attracting the cornea onto the lens (18). A photo-sensitizer is applied to the eye and while the cornea is held against the mold, it is irradiated with UV light by lamp (15) so as to cross-link collagen fibers in the cornea.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adjusting a circadian rhythm comprising the steps of determining a current circadian rhythm status of a circadian rhythm of an observer, accessing a calendar of the observer, and identifying a future event of the observer to precondition for, defined as an identified future event. A preconditioning schedule responsive to the identified future event may then be determined. Furthermore, communication with a light source may be established, and the light source may then be operated to emit light according to the preconditioning schedule.

Abstract: Phototherapy systems comprising a therapeutic lamp platform for radiant lamps such as LEDs disposed in an assembly comprising a first wall to which the lamps are affixed thereto and a second wall, closer to the patient, spaced from the first wall wherein the lamps are recessed relative thereto. The second wall comprises a reflective surface facing towards a patient and a plurality of light apertures substantially aligned with the LEDs on the first wall for communicating lamp radiation from the lamps to a user. The lamps and associated circuitry are disposed between the first and second wall so that the reflective surface is relatively smooth and seamless towards the patient. The walls may include an eye slot. The device is mounted to the user with a frame comprising an eyeglass frame or goggles including lenses for shielding the user's eyes from lamp radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to produce graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene without the use of reducing agents, and with the concomitant production of heat, are provided. The methods and apparatuses employ radiant energy to reduce (deoxygenate) graphite oxide (GO) to graphene, or to reduce a mixture of GO plus one or more metals to produce nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene. Methods and systems to generate and utilize heat that is produced by irradiating GO, graphene and their metal and semiconductor nanocomposites with visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. using sunlight, lasers, etc. are also provided.

Abstract: A probe tip for communicating and laterally directing electromagnetic radiation comprises a waveguide, a primary capsule, a compressible member and a malleable secondary capsule. The waveguide is configured to communicate electromagnetic radiation and includes a beveled surface at a distal tip for redirecting electromagnetic radiation in a lateral direction. The primary capsule is attached over the distal tip of the waveguide. The compressible member covers a portion of the primary capsule. The malleable secondary capsule is positioned over the primary capsule and the compressible member, and includes a crimp that compresses the compressible member against the primary capsule and secures the secondary capsule to the primary capsule.

Abstract: A surgical instrument may have a handle, a support sleeve, and an inner sleeve. Illustratively, the support sleeve may be configured to actuate relative to the inner sleeve to protect the inner sleeve before and after a surgical procedure and to expose a portion of the inner sleeve during the surgical procedure. In one or more embodiments, an application of a force to a distal end of the support sleeve may be configured to retract the support sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. Illustratively, a reduction of a force applied to the distal end of the support sleeve may be configured to extend the support sleeve relative to the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A device having a sensor detecting patient physiological data, a detection element detecting whether a medical professional is present in a patient's room and a display. If a medical professional is present in the patient's room, the display displays a first display mode, the first display mode including the patient physiological data. If a medical professional is not present in the patient's room, the display displays a second display mode, the second display mode being adapted for viewing by lay viewers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making improved surgical incisions in corrective eye surgery are provided. It was observed that a uniform elongated AK (or LRI) incision provides a non-uniform corrective effect due to non-uniform post-surgical relaxation of ophthalmic tissue. The method and apparatus leverage this observation to provide for creation of a surgical incision that is structured to be non-uniform along its length in such a manner as to at least partially counteract an expected variation in ophthalmic tissue relaxation to provide overall increased uniformity of corrective effect. An automated laser surgery system includes a laser control system configured to control laser delivery to cause selective ablation of ophthalmic tissue to provide an elongated structured incision that varies along its length in at least one of a depth, a profile, a width, and an angle of attack relative to a surface of the ophthalmic tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion or mounting portion and a functional portion and/or tip, wherein a display device is provided on the instrument and includes or enables displays which serve to assist in image-guided and/or navigation-assisted surgery. It also relates to a method for navigating a surgical instrument, wherein its position is determined and tracked by means of a medical tracking system and the position data is processed within the framework of medical navigation by means of a medical navigation system, wherein displays for navigation assistance and/or for assisting in image-guided surgery are provided on the instrument or on an element which is positionally assigned to the instrument or fastened to the instrument.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus, comprising: an emitted treatment laser beam; an emitted aiming beam; an irradiation unit including a zoom lens and a scanner for scanning in two dimensions, and being arranged to irradiate both beams to the eye; an irradiation pattern setting unit including a switch for setting an irradiation pattern in which a plurality of spots is arranged; and a controller for controlling the aiming beam based on the set pattern during aiming before irradiation of the treatment beam, the controller being configured to divide the spots in the set pattern into two or more groups and switch the positions of the spots of the aiming beam at a predetermined time interval in each group to irradiate the aiming beam so that the irradiation spots of the aiming beam in a group before switching and another group after switching are not recognized simultaneously by an operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a sedentary state of a user are described. Sensor data is collected and analyzed to calculate metabolic equivalent of task (MET) measures for a plurality of moments of interest. Based on the MET measures and a time period for which the MET measures exceed a threshold value, it is determined whether the user is in a sedentary state. If the user is in the sedentary state, the user is provided a notification to encourage the user to perform a non-sedentary activity.

Abstract: A device and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein for a biodegradable optical fiber and a method of producing a device including a biodegradable optical fiber. A device is disclosed that includes: a biodegradable optical fiber including; a biodegradable optically functional inner fiber including an optically-transmitting cladding in contact with and surrounding an optically-transmitting core, wherein the inner fiber is biodegradable on a first time scale; and an outer layer in contact with and surrounding the optically-transmitting cladding, wherein the outer layer is biodegradable on a controllably-defined delayed time scale, and the controllably-defined delayed time scale is of greater duration than the first time scale.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic procedures contains a source of aiming and treatment laser beams, folded mirrors and lens arrays to cause the formation of a static pupil on a delivery mirror for observation and treatment by an operator of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for controlling activation of Riboflavin applied to an eye includes applying the Riboflavin to a selected region of a cornea of the eye and initiating cross-linking activity in the selected region by activating the Riboflavin with pulsed light illumination. The pulsed light illumination has an irradiance, dose, and an on/off duty cycle. The irradiance, the dose, and the on/off duty cycle are adjusted in response to a determination of photochemical kinetic pathways for Riboflavin cross-linking activity and to control photochemical efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling precise orifices in a wall of non-uniform thickness are provided. In one aspect, a thickness profile of at least a portion of the wall is created and the wall is irradiated with at least one laser beam to ablate a portion of the wall to thereby form an orifice in the wall. During the irradiation, one or more parameters of the least one laser beam are adjusted one or more times in accordance with the thickness profile to compensate for the non-uniform thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A protective patella guard adapted for use with a knee brace having upper and lower frame members. The protective patella guard including an upper cup element coupled to the upper frame member, a lower cup element coupled to the lower frame member, and an intermediate cup element operatively coupled to the upper cup element and lower cup element. The patella guard is transitional between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein a degree of overlap between the upper cup element, the lower cup element, and the intermediate cup element decreases as the patella guard transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.