Abstract: A surgical laser system includes a surgical optical fiber optically coupled to a light source and a light detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from a treatment target and generate optical data corresponding to the portion of the reflected light interacting with the light detector. The system also includes a computing device configured to analyze the optical data relative to characteristic criteria, and based on the comparison of the optical data to the characteristic criteria, control operation of a laser source.

Abstract: Catheter steering handles that are ergonomically designed to enable an operator to reduce hand fatigue. Various ergonomic aspects of the disclosed steering handles include geometries that more naturally conform to the palm of the hand and that enable the hand to be held in a natural, low stress posture during operation of the steering handle. In another aspect of the disclosure, the catheter steering handle is configured so that the operator can release or partially release the grip on the handle, thereby enabling the operator to relax and flex the hand, thereby reducing fatigue.

Abstract: An instrument for endoscopic applications, including urology. The instrument may include both irrigation and aspiration channels, effective attraction and suction of tissue and body stone fragments, enhanced viewing clarity of the operational area, illumination fibers with steering function for flexible version of the scopes. In some embodiments, a distal head is configured to locate a mouth of the working channel within a viewing angle of the visualization system. In some embodiments, a transparent cap is disposed at the distal end of endoscope to provide an enhanced view of the operational area. Irrigation and aspiration channels may be arranged so that consistent water flow will attract tissue and body stone particles and remove heated liquid. Illumination fibers may be utilized as pull linkages or push-pull linkages for deflection and steering of flexible embodiments of the scope.

Abstract: Catheter steering handles that are ergonomically designed to enable an operator to reduce hand fatigue. Various ergonomic aspects of the disclosed steering handles include geometries that more naturally conform to the palm of the hand and that enable the hand to be held in a natural, low stress posture during operation of the steering handle. In another aspect of the disclosure, the catheter steering handle is configured so that the operator can release or partially release the grip on the handle, thereby enabling the operator to relax and flex the hand, thereby reducing fatigue.

Abstract: Catheter steering handles that are ergonomically designed to enable an operator to reduce hand fatigue. Various ergonomic aspects of the disclosed steering handles include geometries that more naturally conform to the palm of the hand and that enable the hand to be held in a natural, low stress posture during operation of the steering handle. In another aspect of the disclosure, the catheter steering handle is configured so that the operator can release or partially release the grip on the handle, thereby enabling the operator to relax and flex the hand, thereby reducing fatigue.

Abstract: Steering handles with manifolds that enable an operator to configure an endoscopic system in situ for a variety of tasks, including irrigation, aspiration, or both. In addition, the disclosed endoscopic systems facilitate rapid reconfiguration of the location of a laser fiber optic within a catheter assembly. The laser fiber optic, for example, can be removed from an irrigation channel of the endoscopic system and reinserted in the aspiration channel during a laser lithotripsy procedure. In some embodiments, the removal and reinsertion can be performed in situ, without removing the catheter from the patient or the treated organ. These aspects of the disclosed system reduce the time required to perform laser lithotripsy procedures, with less trauma to the patient.

Abstract: A device and associated method for treatment of tissue in a joint of a mammal includes an energy source and an energy-delivery implement coupled to the energy source. The energy-delivery implement has a distal portion configured to be inserted into the joint, the distal portion having at least one energy-emitting portion. A control module causes the energy source to produce energy in a pre-defined treatment sequence, the sequence comprising at least two pulses of energy separated by an interval. The energy-delivery implement is configured to emit the energy at the distal portion, to create a zone of thermal stress within target tissue, without causing substantial coagulation of the target tissue, wherein the size of the thermal stress zone is substantially less than the size of the target tissue being treated. A biologic can be injected or otherwise delivered into the joint before, during, or after delivery of the energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation my be applied by successivly passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for hair treatment are disclosed which include applying treatment radiation to a skin treatment area and/or to one or more hairs to deposit energy in one or more hairs so as to modify the structure (e.g., the mechanical structure and/or the chemical structure of at least a portion of the hair(s)). The applied radiation can modify at least a portion of the hair (e.g., the hair tip) to make the hair less capable of re-entering the skin. Specifically, the proposed technique is directed to decreasing stiffness of at least portion of a hair through diminishing its flexural modulus as well as increasing the bend radius of its sharpest point. The methods and apparatus can treat and/or prevent pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) in the treatment area.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for controlled mediation and/or improvement of inflammation, inflammation associated with pain, and pain by delivering non-ablative thermal tissue damage to portions of a region of tissue including a volume of inflamed tissue, thereby activating the immune systems pain relief response to the tissue damage.

Abstract: Controls improve skin and/or eye safety for use of a light based photocosmetic device. The sensors having high spatial resolution and the low probability of sensor failure and improve skin and/or eye safety by differentiating safe and unsafe firing conditions. The system and/or the device is able to identify a topical present on the skin due to characteristics indicative of that topical that are sensed by the system. The topical can be identified by, for example, impedance level, marker(s), and/or multiple characteristics in a multi-phase system. The sensor(s) can improve safety by checking the presence of contact and the uniformity of contact with the identified topical throughout the treatment cycle.

Abstract: Substances are injected (e.g. laser injected) into skin tissue in order to change optical and/or mechanical properties of the tissue. Methods include ablating one or more micro-holes into tissue, pushing a substance into the one or more micro-holes with energy from the creation of the mirco-holes, with acoustic energy, and/or with laser energy. A container component is filled with the substance to be injected into the skin tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-usable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and/or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and/or container is connected to a phototreatment device and/or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and/or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and/or container is connected to a phototreatment device and/or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and/or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and/or container is connected to a phototreatment device and/or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method(s) and device(s) capable of generating a small lesion as deep as a few millimeters beneath the skin's surface and several cubic millimeters in volume in orders of magnitude less time, namely, tens of milliseconds. More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a method of treating tissue (e.g., skin) is provided which includes generating one or more ultrasound pulses with each pulse having a pulse width shorter than a thermal relaxation time of a tissue treatment volume, and applying one or more of said ultrasound pulses to at least one portion of the tissue treatment volume to generate one or more treatment areas in a region. Methods of treating tissue can include effecting a therapeutic treatment in said region of the tissue, and/or effecting a cosmetic treatment in said target region.