Abstract: Light sources are incorporated into a guidewire for enabling the ability to render light therapy be added to catheters that do not have that capability. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid guidewire includes a conductive core, and light sources are added to compartments formed in a distal end of the guidewire. In another exemplary embodiment, a light source array is included in a distal end of a hollow guidewire. A plurality of openings are formed into the walls of the hollow guidewire surrounding the array, enabling light to pass through the openings. Conductors extend from the array though the hollow center of the guidewire, to a proximal end of the hollow guidewire. The hollow guidewire can be coated with a conductive material, so that the coating on the guidewire serves as a conductor.

Abstract: A photoreactive agent and a drug therapy device including a support member configured to pass through a urethra having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal internal lumen. A light generator carried by the support member, potted within the lumen, and positioned within the urethra to deliver light to the prostate. The light generator generates a light band with a peak at a preselected wavelength. A power source external to the support member powers the light generator. The positioning element locates the support member within the urethra. A transparent/translucent, integral window is positioned proximate to the prostate and allows light to pass through. The window extends 360 degrees radially from the support member. The light generator has at least LEDs or LOs having a dimension of approximately 0.3 mm×0.3 mm×0.1 mm (length×width×thickness).

Abstract: A cart includes a power supply, a display unit, a holder having a primary coil positioned with respect to a compartment to be proximate a secondary coil of a handheld ultrasound probe when it is positioned in the compartment, a charging circuit that provides an alternating current to inductively couple the primary and the secondary coils, light sources operable to provide at least ultraviolet light, and a drive circuit electrically coupled to drive the light sources. The cart may include a dispenser with a container that can hold an ultrasound coupling medium, and a dispensing mechanism having a scoop with an elongated recess that is rotatably mounted with respect to the container to move between a first position in which the elongated recess is in fluid communication with the interior of the container and a second position in which the elongated recess is exposed to an exterior of the dispenser.

Abstract: An oral ultrasound waveguide device is disclosed for use as an oral cleaning device. One embodiment includes a power source and an ultrasonic oscillator configured to be positioned outside an oral cavity, and a waveguide configured to couple ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic oscillator to a mouth portion configured to be received in an oral cavity. The mouth portion can be configured to couple the ultrasonic energy outward from the mouth portion via at least one matching layer.

Abstract: A light delivery system to provide light treatment to a patient includes a catheter assembly having a plurality of light sources that transmit light towards a target site within a patient. In one embodiment, the light delivery system has a plurality of light sources mounted to a flexible transparent base that extends at least partially through a distal tip of the catheter assembly. The light sources can be wire bonded or mounted in a flip chip arrangement onto the base. In one embodiment to produce the distal tip, an array of light energy sources can be held by an array of holders of a fixture device. A vacuum is applied to secure each light energy source in a corresponding holder. While the vacuum is applied, the energy sources are electrically connected by wire bonding. The vacuum can be reduced or stopped thereby permitting removal of the light energy sources from the fixture device.

Abstract: A method of manufacture and medical apparatus that provides an apparatus useful in illuminating at least a portion of a lumen of a body. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible member and a polymer encasement portion encasing a plurality of light emitters. The light emitters may be electrically coupled to one another without the use of wire bonds, and in some embodiments may be coupled without intervening electrical paths or traces. A maximum cross-sectional dimension of the polymer encasement portion may be less than twice a dimension of one of the light emitters. In some embodiments the maximum cross-sectional dimension is less than or equal to the sum of the dimension of one of the light emitters and a marginal dimension by which an outer portion of the polymer encasement portion extends beyond the light emitter. Light emitters may be arranged linearly, helically or in partially overlapping back-to-back relation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ultrasound based assessment device includes a housing having a front end, a back end, and a cavity. An ultrasonic transducer assembly can be mounted to a ball joint which is, in turn, pivotably (pitch, roll, yaw) coupled to a socket proximate the front end. A resilient or elastic sheath retains pieces forming the socket under elastic compression, with the ball pivotally retained therein. A drive assembly positioned proximate a tail or end of a stem that extends from the ball joint may be operated to sweep the ball and ultrasonic transducer. A simple interface provides at least one of a number, text, graphic, color or symbol as a visual indicator indicative of at least one of a measurement of an anatomical structure or a comparison of the measurement of the anatomical structure with a reference, without providing images of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A patch apparatus removably receives an ultrasound probe and attaches to a portion of a body, for example, via an adhesive. The patch apparatus may be disposable. The patch apparatus includes at least one cavity that sealingly holds a gel during use. The cavity may be sized to removably receive the ultrasound probe, in compression with the bodily tissue. Alternatively, the patch apparatus may include an adhesive or other fastener (e.g., hook and loop fastener) to removably retain the ultrasound probe. One or more magnets may indicate an orientation of the ultrasound probe or other information regarding an imaging procedure. An ultrasound probe may include a housing that is at least partially transparent, a display housed in the housing and visible from an exterior thereof, and one or more magnets to encode information regarding an orientation and/or procedure.

Abstract: A light delivery system to provide light treatment to a patient includes an elongated catheter having a light emitter that transmits light towards a target site within a patient. The catheter is sized and configured to pass through anatomical body structures to reduce or eliminate trauma associated with the delivery procedure. A visualization system of the catheter can assist a user before, during, and/or after performing light therapy. The visualization system includes sensors that provide real-time imaging or feedback.

Abstract: A method of manufacture and medical apparatus that provides an apparatus useful in illuminating at least a portion of a lumen of a body. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible member and a polymer encasement portion encasing a plurality of light emitters. The light emitters may be electrically coupled to one another without the use of wire bonds, and in some embodiments may be coupled without intervening electrical paths or traces. A maximum cross-sectional dimension of the polymer encasement portion may be less than twice a dimension of one of the light emitters. In some embodiments the maximum cross-sectional dimension is less than or equal to the sum of the dimension of one of the light emitters and a marginal dimension by which an outer portion of the polymer encasement portion extends beyond the light emitter. Light emitters may be arranged linearly, helically or in partially overlapping back-to-back relation.

Abstract: A method of manufacture and medical apparatus that provides an apparatus useful in illuminating at least a portion of a lumen of a body. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible member and a polymer encasement portion encasing a plurality of light emitters. The light emitters may be electrically coupled to one another without the use of wire bonds, and in some embodiments may be coupled without intervening electrical paths or traces. A maximum cross-sectional dimension of the polymer encasement portion may be less than twice a dimension of one of the light emitters. In some embodiments the maximum cross-sectional dimension is less than or equal to the sum of the dimension of one of the light emitters and a marginal dimension by which an outer portion of the polymer encasement portion extends beyond the light emitter. Light emitters may be arranged linearly, helically or in partially overlapping back-to-back relation.

Abstract: Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue to administer photodynamic therapy, and usable with, or including a distal protection device. A first device includes a hollow tip, a flushing lumen, a guidewire lumen, and at least one of a light source, and a hollow light transmissive shaft that is adapted to accommodate a light source. If desired, the device can include a balloon, so that a portion of a body lumen between the balloon and the distal protection device is isolated when the balloon is inflated. A second device includes inner and outer catheters, the outer catheter including a balloon, and the inner catheter including a light source encompassed by another balloon. Yet another device is a catheter having two balloons and a sleeve extending there between. Within the sleeve, the catheter includes a light source and an expanding member.

Abstract: A light delivery system to provide light treatment to a patient includes a catheter assembly having a plurality of light sources that transmit light towards a target site within a patient. In one embodiment, the light delivery system has a plurality of light sources mounted to a flexible transparent base that extends at least partially through a distal tip of the catheter assembly. The light sources can be wire bonded or mounted in a flip chip arrangement onto the base. In one embodiment to produce the distal tip, an array of light energy sources can be held by an array of holders of a fixture device. A vacuum is applied to secure each light energy source in a corresponding holder. While the vacuum is applied, the energy sources are electrically connected by wire bonding. The vacuum can be reduced or stopped thereby permitting removal of the light energy sources from the fixture device.

Abstract: Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided to interrupt blood flow that can block the transmission of light, and to center the apparatus in a blood vessel. Optical fibers optionally direct light from the light source to the diffusing element. The light source array can have a radial or linear configuration and can produce more than one wavelength of light for activating different photoreactive agents. Linear light source elements are particularly useful to treat elongate portions of tissue in a vessel. One embodiment intended for use with a conventional balloon catheter integrates light sources into a guidewire.

Abstract: Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue to administer photodynamic therapy, and usable with, or including a distal protection device. A first device includes a hollow tip, a flushing lumen, a guidewire lumen, and at least one of a light source, and a hollow light transmissive shaft that is adapted to accommodate a light source. If desired, the device can include a balloon, so that a portion of a body lumen between the balloon and the distal protection device is isolated when the balloon is inflated. A second device includes inner and outer catheters, the outer catheter including a balloon, and the inner catheter including a light source encompassed by another balloon. Yet another device is a catheter having two balloons and a sleeve extending there between. Within the sleeve, the catheter includes a light source and an expanding member.

Abstract: Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided to interrupt blood flow that can block the transmission of light, and to center the apparatus in a blood vessel. Optical fibers optionally direct light from the light source to the diffusing element. The light source array can have a radial or linear configuration and can produce more than one wavelength of light for activating different photoreactive agents. Linear light source elements are particularly useful to treat elongate portions of tissue in a vessel. One embodiment intended for use with a conventional balloon catheter integrates light sources into a guidewire.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slide the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time.

Abstract: A light delivery system to provide light treatment to a patient includes a catheter assembly having a plurality of light sources that transmit light towards a target site within a patient. In one embodiment, the light delivery system has a plurality of light sources mounted to a flexible transparent base that extends at least partially through a distal tip of the catheter assembly. The light sources can be wire bonded or mounted in a flip chip arrangement onto the base. In one embodiment to produce the distal tip, an array of light energy sources can be held by an array of holders of a fixture device. A vacuum is applied to secure each light energy source in a corresponding holder. While the vacuum is applied, the energy sources are electrically connected by wire bonding. The vacuum can be reduced or stopped thereby permitting removal of the light energy sources from the fixture device.