Abstract: An image capturing device comprises a first elongated body portion formed of a first material and a second elongated body portion coupled to a proximal end of the first body portion. The second body portion is formed of a second material having a greater heat conductivity than the first material. The device further comprises an imaging window coupled to a distal end of the first body portion, a first housing within the first body portion, an image sensor mounted to the first housing, and an image processor mounted to the first housing and coupled to receive electrical signals from the image sensor. The device further comprises a second housing within the first body portion. The second housing is coupled to the first housing and to the window such that heat generated by the image sensor and image processor is transmitted through the second housing to the window.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises an elongated body, an imaging window coupled to a distal end of the elongated body, and a heat source within the elongated body. The heat source is configured to apply heat to the imaging window to remove condensation from or prevent condensation from forming on the imaging window.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a plurality of stacked ceramic circuit boards, an image sensor, signal conditioning electronics, and a connector. Each ceramic circuit board is parallel and directly coupled to at least one other circuit board. The image sensor is mounted to a first ceramic circuit board. The signal conditioning electronics are mounted to one or more of the stacked ceramic circuit boards and are coupled to receive electrical signals generated by the image sensor. The image capture device is enclosed by a shaft and the stacked ceramic circuit boards are stacked along a length of the shaft. The connector is mounted to a second ceramic circuit board that is on an opposite side of the plurality of stacked ceramic circuit boards from the first ceramic circuit board. The connector is mounted to a side of the second ceramic circuit board facing away from the first ceramic circuit board.

Abstract: A binocular image capture device includes a plurality of stacked circuit boards, a front-facing dual image sensor mounted to a first circuit board of the plurality of stacked circuit boards, and signal conditioning electronics mounted to one or more of the plurality of stacked circuit boards and coupled to receive electrical signals generated by the dual image sensor. The dual image sensor is enclosed in a hermetic housing. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed by the first circuit board, a transition ring secured to the first circuit board, and an optics mount secured to the transition ring. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed using materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion. In some examples, the binocular image capture device is enclosed by a shaft, the plurality of stacked circuit boards being stacked along a length of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having a first melting temperature and a fiber bundle extending through the housing. The fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers having a second melting temperature. An end of each of the plurality of fibers extends past an edge of the housing. The apparatus further comprises a first seal between the plurality of fibers themselves and a second seal between the plurality of fibers and an inner surface of the housing. The seals each comprise a glass material having a third melting temperature lower than the first two melting temperatures. The second seal is configured to be formed as a result of the fiber bundle being inserted into the housing. The glass material coats a tip of each of the plurality of fibers and at least a portion of a side of each of the plurality of fibers near an end of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises an elongated body, an imaging window coupled to a distal end of the elongated body, and a heat source within the elongated body. The heat source is configured to apply heat to the imaging window to remove condensation from or prevent condensation from forming on the imaging window.

Abstract: A binocular image capture device includes a plurality of stacked circuit boards, a front-facing dual image sensor mounted to a first circuit board of the plurality of stacked circuit boards, and signal conditioning electronics mounted to one or more of the plurality of stacked circuit boards and coupled to receive electrical signals generated by the dual image sensor. The dual image sensor is enclosed in a hermetic housing. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed by the first circuit board, a transition ring secured to the first circuit board, and an optics mount secured to the transition ring. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed using materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion. In some examples, the binocular image capture device is enclosed by a shaft, the plurality of stacked circuit boards being stacked along a length of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing and a fiber bundle extending through the housing. The fiber bundle is comprised of a plurality of fibers. The apparatus also comprises a seal between the plurality of fibers and between the plurality of fibers and an inner surface of the housing. The seal comprises a glass material having a lower melting temperature than the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A method comprises applying a frit material having a first melting temperature to an end of each fiber of a plurality of fibers in a fiber bundle having a second melting temperature to coat a tip of each fiber with the frit material and at least a portion of a side of each fiber near an end of the fiber bundle; inserting the fiber bundle into a housing such that the tip of each fiber in the fiber bundle extends past an edge of an end portion of the housing and the frit material forms a seal between the fiber bundle and an inner surface of the end portion of the housing; and heating the frit material to bind the frit material to the plurality of fibers without melting the plurality of fibers in the fiber bundle and to create a seal between the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A binocular image capture device includes a plurality of stacked circuit boards, a front-facing dual image sensor mounted to a first circuit board of the plurality of stacked circuit boards, and signal conditioning electronics mounted to one or more of the plurality of stacked circuit boards and coupled to receive electrical signals generated by the dual image sensor. The dual image sensor is enclosed in a hermetic housing. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed by the first circuit board, a transition ring secured to the first circuit board, and an optics mount secured to the transition ring. In some examples, the hermetic housing may be formed using materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion. In some examples, the binocular image capture device is enclosed by a shaft, the plurality of stacked circuit boards being stacked along a length of the shaft.

Abstract: A method comprises applying a frit material to a plurality of fibers in a fiber bundle. The frit material has a first melting temperature lower than a second melting temperature of the plurality of fibers in the fiber bundle. The method also comprises heating the frit material at a temperature between the first melting temperature and the second melting temperature to bind the frit material to the plurality of fibers without melting the plurality of fibers in the fiber bundle and to create a seal between the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and systems for laser beam positioning, shape profile, size profile, drift, and/or deflection calibration using an image capture device, such as a microscope camera, for enhanced calibration accuracy and precision. The methods and systems are particularly suited for iris calibration and hysteresis measurement of a variable diameter aperture. One method for calibrating laser pulses from a laser eye surgery system using an image capture device comprises imaging a known object with an image capture device. A pulsed laser beam is directed onto a calibration surface so as to leave a mark on the calibration surface. The mark on the calibration surface is then imaged with the image capture device. The laser eye surgery system is calibrated by comparing the image of the mark on the calibration surface to the image of the known object.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and systems for laser beam positioning, shape profile, size profile, drift, and/or deflection calibration using an image capture device, such as a microscope camera, for enhanced calibration accuracy and precision. The methods and systems are particularly suited for iris calibration and hysteresis measurement of a variable diameter aperture. One method for calibrating laser pulses from a laser eye surgery system using an image capture device comprises imaging a known object with an image capture device. A pulsed laser beam is directed onto a calibration surface so as to leave a mark on the calibration surface. The mark on the calibration surface is then imaged with the image capture device. The laser eye surgery system is calibrated by comparing the image of the mark on the calibration surface to the image of the known object.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for scaling the size and/or position of a marker on a magnified image of an object. In preferred embodiments, the object is an eye that is undergoing laser eye surgery. The eye is viewed through a magnification system or microscope and an image of the eye is presented on a display. One or more markers are present on the image, each identifying a specific target location or landmark on the eye. When a desired magnification setting is selected, the image is scaled accordingly. In addition, one or more of the markers is scaled in size and/or position to reflect the magnification setting. This allows the marker to maintain identification of the target location while reflecting the selected magnification level.

Abstract: A method for estimating the force on a distal end of a working catheter includes positioning a portion of a robotically controlled guide catheter and working catheter into a body lumen wherein a distal end of the working catheter projects distally from a distal end of the guide catheter. The working catheter and guide catheter are dithered with respect to one another using a dithering device operatively connected to a proximal portion of the working catheter. The coupling may occur directly to the working catheter or via a seal such as a Touhy seal. The force experienced by the working catheter at a proximal region is measured through at least one dithering cycle. The force at the distal end of the working catheter is then estimated based on the measured force at the proximal region. The estimated force may be displayed to a physician on, for example, a monitor.

Abstract: A robotic catheter manipulator includes a guide catheter including proximal and distal ends and lumen extending there through. A flexible bellows is secured at one end to the proximal end of the guide catheter and at the other end to a seal configured to receive a working catheter. In a loaded state, the working catheter is fixed relative to the seal. A ditherer is operatively connected to the seal for dithering the working catheter relative to the guide catheter when placed therein. The robotic catheter manipulator includes at least one force sensor for measuring the force applied to the working catheter by the ditherer. Force measurements may be translated into an estimated force that is experienced at the distal end of the working catheter which may then be displayed to the physician via a monitor or display.

Abstract: A method for estimating the force on a distal end of a working catheter includes positioning a portion of a robotically controlled guide catheter and working catheter into a body lumen wherein a distal end of the working catheter projects distally from a distal end of the guide catheter. The working catheter and guide catheter are dithered with respect to one another using a dithering device operatively connected to a proximal portion of the working catheter. The coupling may occur directly to the working catheter or via a seal such as a Touhy seal. The force experienced by the working catheter at a proximal region is measured through at least one dithering cycle. The force at the distal end of the working catheter is then estimated based on the measured force at the proximal region. The estimated force may be displayed to a physician on, for example, a monitor.

Abstract: A robotic catheter manipulator includes a guide catheter including proximal and distal ends and lumen extending there through. A flexible bellows is secured at one end to the proximal end of the guide catheter and at the other end to a seal configured to receive a working catheter. In a loaded state, the working catheter is fixed relative to the seal. A ditherer is operatively connected to the seal for dithering the working catheter relative to the guide catheter when placed therein. The robotic catheter manipulator includes at least one force sensor for measuring the force applied to the working catheter by the ditherer. Force measurements may be translated into an estimated force that is experienced at the distal end of the working catheter which may then be displayed to the physician via a monitor or display.

Abstract: A method for estimating the force on a distal end of a working catheter includes positioning a portion of a robotically controlled guide catheter and working catheter into a body lumen wherein a distal end of the working catheter projects distally from a distal end of the guide catheter. The working catheter and guide catheter are dithered with respect to one another using a dithering device operatively connected to a proximal portion of the working catheter. The coupling may occur directly to the working catheter or via a seal such as a Touhy seal. The force experienced by the working catheter at a proximal region is measured through at least one dithering cycle. The force at the distal end of the working catheter is then estimated based on the measured force at the proximal region. The estimated force may be displayed to a physician on, for example, a monitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and systems for laser beam positioning, shape profile, size profile, drift, and/or deflection calibration using an image capture device, such as a microscope camera, for enhanced calibration accuracy and precision. The methods and systems are particularly suited for iris calibration and hysteresis measurement of a variable diameter aperture. One method for calibrating laser pulses from a laser eye surgery system using an image capture device comprises imaging a known object with an image capture device. A pulsed laser beam is directed onto a calibration surface so as to leave a mark on the calibration surface. The mark on the calibration surface is then imaged with the image capture device. The laser eye surgery system is calibrated by comparing the image of the mark on the calibration surface to the image of the known object.