Abstract: A device is described that can be easily used to warn an athlete of potential risk of hyperthermia due to an elevated core body temperature. The mouth guard device continually monitors the users internal or core body temperature and emits an alarm signal when body temperature exceeds a preset value. This invention can protect the physical well being of an athlete as well as improve overall team performance.

Abstract: A device is described that can be easily used by surgeons to measure and monitor changes before, during, and after a liposuction procedure and assist in producing symmetrical body contours. The device comprises a remote control and data processing unit, a handheld ultrasound transducer, a display monitor and means for marking anatomical points to be measured.

Abstract: A polarization sensitive optical imaging system is used to detect changes in polarization in dental tissues to aid the diagnosis of dental disease such as caries. The degree of depolarization is measured by illuminating the dental tissue with polarized light and measuring the polarization state of the backscattered light. The polarization state of this reflected light is analyzed using optical polarimetric imaging techniques. A hand-held fiber optic dental probe is used in vivo to direct the incident beam to the dental tissue and collect the reflected light. To provide depth-resolved characterization of the dental tissue, the polarization diagnostics may be incorporated into optical coherence domain reflectometry and optical coherence tomography (OCDR/OCT) systems, which enables identification of subsurface depolarization sites associated with demineralization of enamel or bone.

Abstract: A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide quick and accurate face-lifting maneuvers that minimize the amount of tissue that has to be removed. The device comprised of a hollow undermining shaft with specially designed tip that can safely separate tissue planes and lyse fibrous tissue Thermal radiation can be delivered down the shaft to heat and cause tissue contraction. The device can also include a temperature sensor that can be used to control the thermal radiation. Optionally, the device can also use ultrasound or electro surgical energy to improve tissue lysing.

Abstract: An acoustic focusing device whose acoustic waves are generated by laser radiation through an optical fiber. The acoustic energy is capable of efficient destruction of renal and biliary calculi and deliverable to the site of the calculi via an endoscopic procedure. The device includes a transducer tip attached to the distal end of an optical fiber through which laser energy is directed. The transducer tip encapsulates an exogenous absorbing dye. Under proper irradiation conditions (high absorbed energy density, short pulse duration) a stress wave is produced via thermoelastic expansion of the absorber for the destruction of the calculi. The transducer tip can be configured into an acoustic lens such that the transmitted acoustic wave is shaped or focused.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc may include a nucleus and an annulus that together may be optionally shaped, using a computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound imaging and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nucleus includes a central area having a material density that is different than the material density of the annulus. The nucleus may alternately include an area for the introduction of a central supporting fluid or gel. An optional fiberoptic carriage may be used to provide tissue ingrowth from the supported vertebrae and optional internal baffling provides additional stabilization.

Abstract: A medical device is described that can be used to emulsify and remove atherosclerotic plaque from blood vessels. The device uses a high frequency ultrasound transducer and conical tip to enhance the generation of shear waves that can safely and efficiently emulsify plaque.

Abstract: A liposuction apparatus and method that uses a rotating or rotationally oscillating cannula. The advantages of the liposuction apparatus are as follows: reduced need for surgeon's arm motion and stress, reduced operating time, and increased fat volume removal per unit of instrument time use.

Abstract: A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide accurate tissue-lifting and tightening maneuvers that uses minimal external incisions, enhances accuracy, reduces inadvertent consequences while speeding the procedure. The device is comprised of a shaft with a relatively planar but possibly lenticulate or even slightly curved tip that can divide and energize various tissue planes causing net contraction via the fibrous tissue modification. Various forms of energy can also be delivered to cause desirable tissue alterations.

Abstract: The human face is efficiently and precisely dissected while radioifrequency energy is applied to controllably release target tissue bonds and alter surrounding tissues in such a fashion that these facial tissues contract and tighten in response to the energy application while automatically excluding vital nerves and vessels. Tightening will be most dramatic in younger patients between 45 and 55 years of age such that the surgeon may not have to cut-out or stretch skin for a desirable effect in most of this population. The device is inserted through only 3 relatively small 1 cm incisions allowing energy to be applied to the upper subcutaneous, lower dermal and platysmal face-lift layers. The procedures take less than 15 minutes following anesthesia and the effects will last for at least several years.

Abstract: Partial or total occlusions of fluid passages within the human body are removed by positioning an array of optical fibers in the passage and directing treatment radiation pulses along the fibers, one at a time, to generate a shock wave and hydrodynamics flows that strike and emulsify the occlusions. A preferred application is the removal of blood clots (thrombin and embolic) from small cerebral vessels to reverse the effects of an ischemic stroke. The operating parameters and techniques are chosen to minimize the amount of heating of the fragile cerebral vessel walls occurring during this photo acoustic treatment. One such technique is the optical monitoring of the existence of hydrodynamics flow generating vapor bubbles when they are expected to occur and stopping the heat generating pulses propagated along an optical fiber that is not generating such bubbles.

Abstract: A polarization sensitive optical imaging system is used to detect changes in polarization in dental tissues to aid the diagnosis of dental disease such as caries. The degree of depolarization is measured by illuminating the dental tissue with polarized light and measuring the polarization state of the backscattered light. The polarization state of this reflected light is analyzed using optical polarimetric imaging techniques. A hand-held fiber optic dental probe is used in vivo to direct the incident beam to the dental tissue and collect the reflected light. To provide depth-resolved characterization of the dental tissue, the polarization diagnostics may be incorporated into optical coherence domain reflectometry and optical coherence tomography (OCDR/OCT) systems, which enables identification of subsurface depolarization sites associated with demineralization of enamel or bone.

Abstract: A device is described that can be easily used to warn an asthmatic or allergen reacting patient of irritant levels which may trigger an asthma or allergy attack for that person. The device continually monitors and records irritants in the air, and when the concentration exceeds the predefined level the device generates an alarm signal for the user. The recorded data can be downloaded to a computer, and this information can be used by the patient and the physician to identify irritants, guide treatment, and determine threshold levels.

Abstract: A system is described that improves highway safety by preventing drivers from viewing a display or entering data while the vehicle is in motion. The system monitors the state of the vehicle and enables or disables the different system components that may include microphones, speakers, display screens and input devices such as keyboards, a mouse or a touchscreen. The system allows the vehicle to communicate with cell phones, Internet providers, Bluetooth enabled devices, and other vehicles. The system allows the driver to request information or data when the vehicle is stopped that can be downloaded and stored for later viewing when the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide quick and accurate face-lifting maneuvers that minimize the amount of tissue that has to be removed. The device comprised of a hollow undermining shaft with specially designed tip that can safely separate tissue planes and lyse fibrous tissue. Thermal radiation can be delivered down the shaft to heat and cause tissue contraction. The device can also include a temperature sensor that can be used to control the thermal radiation. Optionally, the device can also use ultrasound or electro surgical energy to improve tissue lysing.

Abstract: An acoustic focusing device whose acoustic waves are generated by laser radiation through an optical fiber. The acoustic energy is capable of efficient destruction of renal and biliary calculi and deliverable to the site of the calculi via an endoscopic procedure. The device includes a transducer tip attached to the distal end of an optical fiber through which laser energy is directed. The transducer tip encapsulates an exogenous absorbing dye. Under proper irradiation conditions (high absorbed energy density, short pulse duration) a stress wave is produced via thermoelastic expansion of the absorber for the destruction of the calculi. The transducer tip can be configured into an acoustic lens such that the transmitted acoustic wave is shaped or focused.

Abstract: Tissue resurfacing is accomplished by propelling biocompatible, non-toxic materials at the tissue with sufficient velocity to cause destruction or loosening of tissues to a desired depth. The biocompatible materials are generated by abrading a solid frozen unit and propelling the abraded material onto the surface of the skin or tissue to be treated. A vacuum line near the delivery tip may used to remove excess materials or reaction by-products that build up on the surface of the skin. The treatment system generally consists of a control unit, a handheld particle generator and a cable that connects the control unit to the particle generator. The control unit can include user controls to select particle temperature, particle flux, particle velocity and vacuum. The handheld particle generator contains a mechanism to push the frozen biocompatible material against a rotating grinding wheel that produces small particles, which are propelled against tissue being treated.

Abstract: A guidance and viewing system based on multiplexed optical coherence domain reflectometry is incorporated into a catheter, endoscope, or other medical device to measure the location, thickness, and structure of the arterial walls or other intra-cavity regions at discrete points on the medical device during minimally invasive medical procedures. The information will be used both to guide the device through the body and to evaluate the tissue through which the device is being passed. Multiple optical fibers are situated along the circumference of the device. Light from the distal end of each fiber is directed onto the interior cavity walls via small diameter optics (such as gradient index lenses and mirrored corner cubes). Both forward viewing and side viewing fibers can be included. The light reflected or scattered from the cavity walls is then collected by the fibers and multiplexed at the proximal end to the sample arm of an optical low coherence reflectometer.

Abstract: Fiber delivered laser pulses emulsify thrombus by mechanical stresses that include a combination of pressure, tension and shear stress. Laser radiation is delivered to the locality of a thrombus and the radiation is absorbed by blood, blood dot, or other present materials. The combination of a leading pressure wave and subsequent vapor bubble cause efficient, emulsification of thrombus. Operating the laser in a low average power mode alleviates potential thermal complications. The laser is operated in a high repetition rate mode to take advantage of ultrasound frequency effects of thrombus dissolution as well as to decrease the total procedure time. Specific parameter ranges for operation are described. The device includes optical fibers surrounding a lumen intended for flow of a cooling agent. The fibers may be arranged concentrically around the lumen to deliver radiation and heat over as large an area as possible.

Abstract: A sterile bandage is combined with a TENS device for use in covering a wound and providing electrical stimulation to promote healing and block pain.