Abstract: A photoepilation device including a compact hand piece applicator and a portable electronics module for use in a non-medical setting. The hand piece, which contains no electrical signals, allows the user to focus on individual hair follicles by observing a magnified image provided on a semiconductor display. The image from the hand piece is transported to a remote CCD through a coherent imaging fiber. which also delivers the therapeutic energy pulse from a remotely located source to the localized target. Destruction of pluripotential follicular stems cells found in the hair bulb and bulge regions is possible via a single low power laser diode. Control of pulse width and spot size attains a range of fluence levels up to 85 J·cm?2.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle assembly configured for rigid and releasable connection to orthopedic devices including orthopedic shaping or cutting members such as a broaches, reamers and/or osteotomes adapted to prepare the intramedullary canal of a femur in total hip arthroplasty procedures.

Abstract: Optical energy-based methods and apparatus for sealing vascular tissue involves deforming vascular tissue to bring different layers of the vascular tissue into contact each other and illuminating the vascular tissue with a light beam having at least one portion of its spectrum overlapping with the absorption spectrum of the vascular tissue. The apparatus may include two deforming members configured to deform the vascular tissue placed between the deforming members. The apparatus may also include an optical system that has a light source configured to generate light, a light distribution element configured to distribute the light across the vascular tissue, and a light guide configured to guide the light from the light source to the light distribution element. The apparatus may further include a cutting member configured to cut the vascular tissue and to illuminate the vascular tissue with light to seal at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes an internal fiber, an end surface, a first cap member and a second cap member. The internal fiber terminates at a fiber tip. The end surface transmits laser energy delivered through the internal fiber. The first cap member extends over the end surface and includes a first end on a first side of the end surface and a second end on a second side of the end surface. The second cap member extends over the first cap member and includes a first end on the first side of the end surface and a second end on the second side of the end surface, the second end of the second cap member is attached to the second end of the first cap member.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a wire having a pre-formed curve, and an optic fiber disposed within the housing tube and an inner bore of the handle. The housing tube may include 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. A compression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube. A decompression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube.

Abstract: Disposable light sources are disclosed herein. A device for connecting a fiber to a light source includes a light source, light director to focus light from the light source, the light director surrounding at least a portion of the light source, a power source providing energy to the light source, and a connector communicating light from the light source to a catheter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a selectively rotatable housing, an adaptor, and a shaft including an end effector. The adaptor is coupled to the housing and is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The shaft is coupled to one or both of the housing and the adaptor. The end effector is articulable in response to the selective rotation of the housing. The end effector is articulable toward a first direction when the adaptor is positioned in the first position and articulable toward a second direction when the adaptor is positioned in the second position. The first and second directions are different.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a subcutaneous fat region is provided. The apparatus includes a housing that has a skin contacting portion defining a chamber. The apparatus also includes a first spaced region in the housing through which a coolant passes and a second spaced region in the housing that is at least partially evacuated of air. The apparatus further includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the chamber, and a source for the coolant.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems and methods for treating a vocal fold pathology by forming a substantially planar void below the epithelium of the vocal fold using optical energy. Also provided are devices, systems, and methods for combined imaging and treating of a vocal fold pathology.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for performing single-shot digital holography include an optical hybrid assembly configured to receive a reference beam from a light source and another beam, and a balanced detector comprising multiple sensor arrays that are configured to receive outputs of the optical hybrid assembly and simultaneously measure in-phase and quadrature components of an incoming light wavefront that results from interference between the reference beam and the other beam within the optical hybrid assembly to provide a full set of digital holograms in a single exposure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to enhance light intensity within useful red to near-infrared spectral ranges, using direct or indirect sunlight, or from other ambient white light, are described. The disclosed devices provide high quantum yield photoluminescent ambient light spectrum conversion to increase the supplied energy primarily in the 590 nm-850 nm spectral range. These devices also pass much of the incident light in the spectral range in which the device's photoluminescent materials emit light, thereby greatly increasing the effective intensity of light available in the targeted 590-850 nm wavelength range. The ambient light conversion devices of the disclosure may be incorporated in apparel, bandage-like patches, converting reflectors, large area converters, awnings, window covers, and other articles, materials, and products.

Abstract: A system includes a medical instrument that includes a termination fixture, an actuated element, and drive members coupled to the actuated element and extending to the termination fixture. The termination fixture provides an interface that exposes portions of the drive member to direct movement by an external system that may include a manipulator and a sterile barrier.

Abstract: A handpiece for removably attaching one of a plurality of probes including a housing, an actuation assembly arranged on the housing, a linkage assembly arranged on the housing and adapted to couple motion of the actuation assembly to actuation of the probe and an alignment feature arranged on the housing and adapted to control the orientation of a connected probe. Several probes are also disclosed in addition to method of performing a procedure.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a plurality of actuation controls of the handle, a housing tube having a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually curve the housing tube. A gradual curving of the housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually straighten the housing tube. A gradual straightening of the housing tube may gradually straighten the optic fiber.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a manipulator device includes a base, first and second linear slides, a drive link, a drive member, a driven member and an end effector. The elements of the manipulator device cooperate to constrain the end effector to rotate about a remote center of motion that is displaced from a proximal center of motion as the drive link moves a carriage of the second linear slide along an arcuate path.

Abstract: A system for refractive ophthalmological surgery, in particular LASIK, has—in addition to the ablation laser and, where appropriate, further optical guidance means (18, 30)—a device (34) for optical coherence tomography as an integrated component, in order to make available results of measurement acquired with this device either for the purpose of representation on a display device and/or for the purpose of control of the ablation.

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: 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 light emitting diode-based skin cosmetic device includes a first light emitting panel, a second light emitting panel, a first narrow band filter, a second narrow band filter and an optical window. The first light emitting panel is connected with the second light emitting panel at one side and an angle is formed between the first light emitting panel and the second light emitting panel. Two sides of the optical windows are connected with the first light emitting panel and the second light emitting panel together to form a triangle structure and the angle is faced toward the optical windows. The first and second narrow band filter is disposed on one surface of the first light to emitting panel and one surface of the second light emitting panel respectively.