Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument, in particular a sliding shaft instrument, with a main part, and a moveable part relative thereto, with a handle attached to the main part, comprising a fixed grip and a grip actuating the moveable part, with at least one guide, through which, in relation to the main part, the moveable part is moveable between an initial position and a working position, and with a sliding surface attached to the movable part and pointing towards the main part, the sliding surface being slid along a guide surface attached to the main part and pointing towards the sliding surface, with at least the sliding surface or the guide surface are assigned to each other for the formation of a washable gap.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus can create an exposure regimen for a user. The regimen can be used to instruct an exposure device to expose the user to light at a wavelength, duration, and intensity, and over one or more days, which is sufficient to alter the user's circadian rhythm. The user may provide one or more preferences which allow the technology to create the exposure regimen sufficient to alter the user's circadian rhythm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and an articulation mechanism disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector. The articulation mechanism comprises a lever, a first set of teeth, a second set of teeth, a first plunger for engaging the first set of teeth, and a second plunger for engaging the second set of teeth. A predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a first direction moves at least a portion of the first plunger away from the first set of teeth. A predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a second, opposite direction moves at least a portion of the second plunger away from the second set of teeth.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for blocking abnormal conduction in the cardiac muscle using a photodynamic therapy or for treating arrhythmia. There is provided a catheter ablation apparatus for the treatment of arrhythmia using a photodynamic therapy, comprising a catheter leading a photoradiation unit to an abnormal electrical conduction site or a hyperexcitability occurring site in the cardiac muscle of a test subject in which a photosensitizer is present by administering the photosensitizer beforehand and which causes arrhythmia, means for generating a light ray with which the abnormal electrical conduction site or the hyperexcitability occurring site is irradiated, and means for transmitting the light ray to the abnormal electrical conduction site or the hyperexcitability occurring site, wherein the photosensitizer used is a water-soluble chlorine-based photosensitizer and the light ray used is a light ray having an excitation wavelength equal to that of the photosensitizer.

Abstract: A light emitting device to awaken or alert an animal by stimulating the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in the brain to suppress melatonin secretion and change gene expression in the brain. The device can be programmed for an initiation time, color of light, brightness, frequency of pulsating light, and level of gradual intensity. It has the advantage of being silent, does not to disturb other people sleeping in the same room and user is more cognitively alert.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to medium wavelength light therapy. According to some embodiments, the first stage of the protocol includes a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is between 50 lux and 2000 lux. According to some embodiments, the second stage of the protocol includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes during which, for every 10 minute period within the second time window, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is exceeds 100 lux.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying tissue use a pressurized fluid stream carrying coherent light energy. The methods and systems may be used for resecting and debulking soft and hard biological tissues. The coherent light is focused within a stream of fluid to deliver energy to the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of an olefin monomer. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of an olefin monomer and one or more optional comonomers in presence of a polymerization catalyst and hydrogen, said process being characterized by an improved control of the hydrogen concentration in the polymerization reactor. In addition, the present invention provides for an improved hydrogen feeding system to a polymerization reactor. Furthermore, the present invention provides for a polymerization reactor comprising such an improved hydrogen feeding system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an eccentric balloon catheter are disclosed. In some embodiments, an eccentric balloon catheter includes an eccentrically positioned guidewire tube, with an interior lumen, that extends at least a portion of the length of the catheter body. Optical fibers may extend the length of the catheter body and may also be eccentrically positioned within the catheter body. An inflatable balloon may be positioned within a window within the catheter body near the distal end of the catheter. When inflated, the balloon and catheter may slide relative to one another. When used within a vessel, an inflated balloon may press against a vessel wall and bias the catheter toward an opposite vessel wall.

Abstract: A radiotherapeutic apparatus comprises a source of therapeutic radiation, a source of visible light arranged to cast a light field corresponding to the beam of radiation, and a multileaf collimator for shaping the beams, wherein a filter is disposed in the path of the visible light beam having a plurality of linear dark sections corresponding to leaves of the collimator. This prevents the incident light from falling on the leaves and removes the ghost images at source. By placing the filter in the head, the line can be very narrow and will be blurred into penumbra at the isocentre. This is therefore a very inexpensive yet effective method of reducing ghosting. A mirror can deflect the path of the visible light to correspond to that of the radiation beam, and the filter can be disposed anywhere in the beam path, such as prior to the mirror, subsequent to the mirror and prior to the collimator, or subsequent to the collimator.

Abstract: A laser applicator includes an optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding. The cladding contains openings (40) for coupling radiative energy outward. To accomplish an even distribution of energy, the size of the opening increases from the proximal end to the distal end. The openings (40) are combined into groups (45), with the number of openings within a group varying. The openings (40) are of a uniform size so that the area of decoupling (13) can be produced in a simple manner.

Abstract: A system and method of performing therapy on target eye tissue. A light source produces a beam of light, and a scanning device deflects the light beam to produce an pattern of the light beam. An ophthalmic lens assembly includes a mirror for reflecting the light beam pattern onto the target eye tissue. The mirror is rotatable to angularly align the light beam pattern to the target tissue. Control electronics control the scanning device to apply the light beam pattern onto the reflective optical element at first and second angular orientations separated by a predetermined angle RA. The predetermined angle RA is set such that light beam patterns applied to the target tissue at the first and second angular orientations, which are also angularly aligned to the target tissue through rotation of the mirror, automatically are adjacently abutting to each other on the target tissue.

Abstract: A treatment instrument operation unit is provided with a drive unit, an operation portion installation section and a command signal output section. The drive unit drives an operation portion for operating each treatment section of the respective treatment instruments. The operation portion is attached to the operation portion installation section provided to the drive unit. The command signal output section outputs an installation start signal to a controller for notifying that the installation of the treatment instrument has begun upon installation of the operation portion in the operation portion installation section. After outputting the installation start signal from the command signal output section to the controller, the drive unit drives the operation portion installation section to the position where the operation portion is allowed to be installed based on the control signal outputted form the controller.

Abstract: A multipurpose health care professional tool assembly for providing in one convenient package the specific tools used on a daily basis by health care professionals includes a housing having a top face, a front slot and a rear slot. A calculator is positioned on the top face of the housing. A light is coupled to the housing. A pen is provided having a connection end and a writing end. The connection end is pivotally coupled to the housing in the rear slot such that the pen is extendable from the rear slot of the housing to facilitate writing using the pen. A hemostat tool is pivotally coupled to the housing and extendable from the front slot into a use position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fine-tuning refractive shapes for vision treatment are provided. Techniques encompass determining a variable index of refraction for a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable index of refraction. Techniques also encompass determining a variable radius of curvature of an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature.

Abstract: A medical guidewire system for guiding thereon a medical implement includes an end effector, an actuation guidewire having a distal end permanently connected to the end effector, and a control assembly. The assembly has a handle, a shaft receiving the guidewire. The shaft has a proximal end permanently connected to the handle and a distal end temporarily connected to the end effector. A first actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to the guidewire to actuate the end effector. A second actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to a portion of the guidewire to disconnect the guidewire from the handle when actuated and, thereby, permit removal of the control assembly from the end effector and guidewire. When the control assembly is removed, the end effector and the guidewire form a surgical exchange or guidewire for guiding thereon the medical implement.