Abstract: An apparatus for aiding the removal of cataracts in which an optical fiber delivers sufficient optical energy of the correct wavelength, pulse duration to achieve controlled non-thermal and non-acoustic dissolution of hard cataract tissue.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a plurality of sensors wearable on different parts of a human body and a controller configured to acquire an output value of each of the sensors. The sensor each outputs an output value to calculate the same type of biological information by optical measurement, the controller selects either the sensor on the basis of each output value of the sensors, and determines a measured value of the biological information on the basis of an output values of the sensors selected.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure through a single incision in a patient's body includes a gross positioning arm supported on a moveable platform, the gross positioner including a head; at least one articulated tool positioning apparatus coupled via a tool controller to an underside of the head, the articulated tool positioning apparatus being configured to receive a tool for performing surgical operations, the tool controller being actuated by the head to cause movements of the articulated tool positioning apparatus for performing surgical operations; and wherein the gross positioner is configured to permit the head to be positioned to facilitate insertion of the articulated tool positioning apparatus through the incision into the patient's body.

Abstract: Various examples are described for detecting heart rate and respiratory rate by using measurements of light applied to skin through an article. For example, a sensor application obtains a set of measurements of light. The application compensates for a contribution of the article based on one or more known optical properties of the article. The sensor application further determines, from the set of measurements of light, a periodic change in amplitude. The sensor application identifies the periodic change in amplitude as a heart rate having an identical periodicity. The sensor application identifies a respiratory rate as equal to the rate of change of the heart rate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, an end effector, and an evacuation port. The elongated shaft extends distally from the handle assembly and includes an outer wall. The end effector is coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The evacuation port is configured for fluid communication with a suction device. A portion of the evacuation port is disposed within the outer wall of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.

Abstract: This application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft with at least one portion deflectable, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member. When the connection members are arranged in a straight position relative to each other, a straight-position spacing exists defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member and, when the connection members are arranged in a deflection position relative to each other, a deflection-position spacing exists which is defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member, and the deflection-position spacing in the deflection position is greater than the straight-position spacing in the straight position.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention generally relate to ophthalmic laser procedures and, more particularly, to systems and methods for lenticular laser incision. In an embodiment, an ophthalmic surgical laser system comprises a laser delivery system for delivering a pulsed laser beam to a target in a subject's eye, an XY-scan device to deflect the pulsed laser beam, a Z-scan device to modify a depth of a focus of the pulsed laser beam, and a controller configured to form a top lenticular incision and a bottom lenticular incision of a lens in the subject's eye, where each of the top and bottom lenticular incision includes a center concave portion and an edge transition portion that has a smooth convex shape and is smoothly joined to the center concave portion.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying sleep states of a subject are provided. In some aspects, the method includes acquiring physiological data from a subject over a sleep period using sensors positioned about the subject, and assembling the physiological data into time-series datasets. The method also includes selecting a temporal window in which signals associated with the time-series datasets are substantially stationary, computing a time bandwidth product based on a selected spectral resolution and the selected temporal window, and determining a number of tapers using the computed time bandwidth product. The method further includes computing a spectrogram using the determined number of tapers and the time-series datasets, analyzing the spectrogram to identify signatures of sleep in the subject, and generating, using the identified signatures, a report indicative of sleep states of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spirometer (1) comprising a MEMS-based thermal fluid flow sensor (13, 13.1, 13.2) for generating a signal in response to a fluid flow generated during inhalation or exhalation; and a microcontroller (14) for calculating the fluid flow from the signal generated by the flow sensor (13, 13.1, 13.2). The spirometer (1) may be connected to other devices, such as a smartphone or a personal computer or any other computing unit which is adapted to collect, store, analyse, exchange and/or display data. The invention further describes the use of the spirometer (1) in measuring a user's lung performance and/or monitoring it over time.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for tracking sleep dynamics in a subject. In one aspect, a method includes acquiring physiological data using sensors positioned about the subject, and acquiring behavioral data using input provided by the subject. The method also includes generating a statistical model of wakefulness by combining information obtained from the acquired physiological data and behavior data, and estimating a probability indicative of a degree to which the subject is awake at each point in time during sleep onset using the statistical model. The method further includes generating a report indicative of sleep onset in the subject.

Abstract: The present application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft, which has at least one portion deflectable in at least one plane, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes, arranged in series, at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member interacting for a deflection with the first connection member. The first connection member is formed at least partially from a first material, and the second connection member is formed at least partially from a second material, of which the elasticity differs from that of the first material.

Abstract: An electronic device for providing exercise information and a method therefor are provided. The electronic device includes a first sensor module, a second sensor module, at least one output device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to detect an event relating to start of an exercise state, obtain motion information corresponding to the exercise state using the first sensor module, obtain metabolite information of a user using the second sensor module, and provide information regarding the exercise state to the user through the at least one output device, based on whether the metabolite information satisfies a specified condition.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring subject behavior during sleep onset. In some aspects, a system includes one or more sensors configured to acquire behavioral data from a subject using input provided during sleep onset. The system also includes a processor programmed to at least assemble a time-series of behavioral responses using the behavioral data acquired using the one or more sensors, and estimate an instantaneous probability of response using the time-series of behavioral responses. The processor is also programmed to generate a statistical model of wakefulness using the instantaneous probability of response, and estimate, using the model, a probability indicative of a degree to which the subject is awake at each point in time during the sleep onset process. The processor is further configured to generate a report indicative of sleep onset in the subject. The system also includes an output for displaying the report.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprising: a mechanism that is configured to perform an operational motion of the surgical apparatus; and at least one transformation member having an original shape and a deformed shape, the at least one transformation member connecting the mechanism together, when the at least one transformation member is in the deformed shape so that the mechanism is capable of performing the operational motion; and wherein after the transformation member is subject a transition temperature, the at least one transformation member changes from the deformed shape to the original shape and disengages a portion of the mechanism so that the mechanism is prevented from performing the operational motion.

Abstract: A patchable biosensor includes a substrate extending in a longitudinal direction and being stretchable for being patched to a surface of a living body and an electronic component disposed on a one-side surface in a thickness direction of the substrate and extending in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the electronic component crosses the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure through a single incision in a patient's body includes a gross positioning arm supported on a moveable platform, the gross positioner including a head; at least one articulated tool positioning apparatus coupled via a tool controller to an underside of the head, the articulated tool positioning apparatus being configured to receive a tool for performing surgical operations, the tool controller being actuated by the head to cause movements of the articulated tool positioning apparatus for performing surgical operations; and wherein the gross positioner is configured to permit the head to be positioned to facilitate insertion of the articulated tool positioning apparatus through the incision into the patient's body.

Abstract: A laser delivery system is configured to delivery light energy to soften and realign the tissue of the eye in order to increase accommodation and treat glaucoma. The laser system can be configured to increase a circumlental space of the eye and increase movement of a posterior vitreous zonule in order to increase accommodation. The light energy may comprise wavelengths strongly absorbed by collagen of the sclera. In many embodiments a heat sink is provided to couple to the conjunctiva and the heat sink comprises a material transmissive to the light energy absorbed by collagen, for example Zinc Selenide. The heat sink can be chilled to inhibit damage to the conjunctiva of the eye. In many embodiments, one or more layers of the epithelium of the eye remain substantially intact above the zone where the eye has been treated when the heat sink has been removed.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure through a single incision in a patient's body includes a gross positioning arm supported on a moveable platform, the gross positioner including a head; at least one articulated tool positioning apparatus coupled via a tool controller to an underside of the head, the articulated tool positioning apparatus being configured to receive a tool for performing surgical operations, the tool controller being actuated by the head to cause movements of the articulated tool positioning apparatus for performing surgical operations; and wherein the gross positioner is configured to permit the head to be positioned to facilitate insertion of the articulated tool positioning apparatus through the incision into the patient's body.

Abstract: A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.