Abstract: A light and bioelectric therapy pad that delivers light and bioelectric stimulation to adjacent tissue. The therapy pad includes an electrical tracing circuit containing elongated, parallel and spaced-apart approximate linear tracings (ALT) that provide current flow in opposite directions along the ALT during alternating positive and negative drive cycles of an alternating current (AC) supply. The ALT includes first and second header tracings wired to a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs), with the anodes of a first group of LEDs wired to the first header tracing, and the anodes of the remaining LEDs wired to the second header tracing. The ALTs are wired into the circuit with current flowing to the first header tracing at one end of the row of LEDs, and to the second header tracing at the opposite end, so that adjacent ALT provide current flow in opposite directions during both positive and negative drive cycles.

Abstract: A disposable light source device for the non-invasive visualization of veins, arteries or other subcutaneous structures of and objects in the body, or for facilitating and monitoring intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, including a conforming layer for interfacing and optically coupling with the body surface, and adhering the device to the body portion, and a main light source for directing near infrared light through the conforming layer to illuminate the body. The disposable light source device can also include a light transmissive and electrically insulative layer that is disposed between and electrically insulates the main light source from the body-contacting conforming layer. The disposable light source device can also include a proximity sensor that controls activation of the first light source such that the light source is on only when the conforming layer is brought into proximity to the body surface.

Abstract: A light and bioelectric therapy pad that delivers light and bioelectric stimulation to adjacent tissue. The therapy pad includes an electrical tracing circuit containing elongated, parallel and spaced-apart approximate linear tracings (ALT) that provide current flow in opposite directions along the ALT during alternating positive and negative drive cycles of an alternating current (AC) supply. The ALT includes first and second header tracings wired to a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs), with the anodes of a first group of LEDs wired to the first header tracing, and the anodes of the remaining LEDs wired to the second header tracing. The ALTs are wired into the circuit with current flowing to the first header tracing at one end of the row of LEDs, and to the second header tracing at the opposite end, so that adjacent ALT provide current flow in opposite directions during both positive and negative drive cycles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for real-time perfusion imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a perfusion imaging system including a plurality of coaligned imaging arrays operating under a specific timing sequence and method of using the same.

Abstract: A system comprising a convergent parameter instrument and a laser digital image projector for obtaining a surface map of a target anatomical surface, obtaining images of that surface from a module of the convergent parameter instrument, applying pixel mapping algorithms to impute three dimensional coordinate data from the surface map to a two dimensional image obtained through the convergent parameter instrument, projecting images from the convergent parameter instrument onto the target anatomical surface as a medical reference, and applying a skew correction algorithm to the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a convergent parameter instrument and method for performing real-time imaging using multiple imaging techniques. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handheld convergent parameter instrument providing some or preferably all of real-time imaging, including surface mapping, color imaging, perfusion imaging, thermal imaging, and near infrared spectroscopy, and including a common control set and a common display.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing feedback to a subject in connection with a performance of a task, such as a movement task. The movement task may involve an operation or movement of an object by the subject, such as a body part or a sporting implement. During the movement task, the object has an expected motion path that is associated with one or more target areas. Behavior control feedback may be provided to the subject based on one or more of a position of the object, a motion of the object and an orientation of the object relative to one or more target areas as the subject performs the movement task. One example of an apparatus for providing behavior control feedback includes one or more radiation sources, one or more radiation detectors, and one or more indicators, any of which may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the object.

Abstract: A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.

Abstract: A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical instrument for diffusing light from an optical fiber is provided. The medical instrument includes an optical fiber having a proximal portion including a cladding layer surrounding the core and a distal portion having a diffuser tip comprising a protective coating made of acrylic or methylpentene surrounding the core, an optical coupling layer, and a sleeve. The protective coating strengthens the distal end of the optical fiber so that it can withstand a higher bending moment at failure than the uncladded core. At the same time, the protective layer has an index of refraction that is between the indices of refraction of the core and the optical coupling layer to direct light out of the core through to the optical coupling layer.

Abstract: An medical instrument for diffusing light from an optical fiber is provided. The medical instrument includes an optical fiber having a proximal portion including a cladding layer surrounding the core and a distal portion having a diffuser tip comprising a protective coating made of acrylic or methylpentene surrounding the core, an optical coupling layer, and a sleeve. The protective coating strengthens the distal end of the optical fiber so that it can withstand a higher bending moment at failure than the uncladded core. At the same time, the protective layer has an index of refraction that is between the indices of refraction of the core and the optical coupling layer to direct light out of the core through to the optical coupling layer.

Abstract: An medical instrument for diffusing light from an optical fiber is provided. The medical instrument includes an optical fiber having a proximal portion including a cladding layer surrounding the core and a distal portion having a diffuser tip comprising a protective coating made of acrylic or methylpentene surrounding the core, an optical coupling layer, and a sleeve. The protective coating strengthens the distal end of the optical fiber so that it can withstand a higher bending moment at failure than the uncladded core. At the same time, the protective layer has an index of refraction that is between the indices of refraction of the core and the optical coupling layer to direct light out of the core through to the optical coupling layer.

Abstract: A laser diode (22) emits laser light which is collimated into parallel rays with collimating lens (24). The collimated beams travels as much as 50 meters or more before being reflected back to a photoreceiver (28). A ball lens (26) focuses the reflected light onto the photoreceiver. The photoreceiver, preferably, is a synchronous detector which issues control pulses to a laser drive circuit (42) for causing the laser diode to emit intermittent bursts of laser light. The synchronous detector then compares the timing of received light with the timing of the control pulses to the laser diode to distinguish between true reflected light and stray light. An intensity adjustment (56) adjusts the intensity of the laser light in accordance with a distance between the laser diode/photoreceiver and a reflector. In this manner, distances of 1-70 meters can be accommodated with no lens modification.

Abstract: A Diffuse Reflective Light Curtain System comprises at least one light curtain defining a border of a work zone for a robotic machine. Each light curtain comprises a primary board having multiple wells formed therein. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light detectors are alternately placed in the multiple wells. The LEDs shine light up from the wells to form a curtain of light above the primary board. If an object comes into contact with the curtain of light emitted from the LEDs, the light is reflected back to toward the board and enters the wells of the board where the light detectors sense the presence of LED light. When the light detectors in the wells sense the presence of LED light, they send a signal to a controller to indicate that the light curtain has been breached by a foreign object. The controller, in turn, suspends the operation of the robotic machine that is protected by the light curtain.

Abstract: A method of resecting a portion of lung using an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed. The electrosurgical device clamps upon lung tissue and applies RF energy to create a cauterized zone within the clamped portion of the lung. At least one staple is placed within the cauterized tissue zone. The cauterized zone is cut adjacent to the at least one staple and the cut portion of the lung is removed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A method for visualization of a lubricant coating on a surface of an article includes dissolving a fluorescent agent into a lubricant. The method then includes applying the fluorescenated lubricant to coat a surface of the article. The coated article is then irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation capable of inducing a fluorescent emission in the fluorescent agent and the fluorescent emission is observed to detect the coverage of the lubricant on the surface of the article.

Abstract: A method of performing endometrial ablation comprising heating entire surface of the endometrium to a temperature of between 45.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. to destroy the cells of the endometrial lining while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below approximately 42.degree. C. An apparatus for performing an endometrial ablation comprising an expandable membrane such as a balloon adapted to fit within the uterus and contact the endometrial lining when expanded. A web of light diffusing fiber-optic cables arranged on the outer surface the balloon such that the web contacts the endometrial lining of the uterus when the balloon is expanded. The fiber-optic web is connected to an array of high intensity lamps via a series of fiber-optic cables. The temperature of the endometrium is monitored by a of a series of temperature sensors arranged upon the surface of the balloon.

Abstract: An surgical stapling instrument is provided which uses a thermogenic energy preferably bipolar radiofrequency energy for cauterization and/or welding tissue. The instrument compresses tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy sources contained on a first interfacing surface and a second pole of a bipolar energy source contained on a second interfacing surface. Staples and thermogenic energy are applied to the compressed tissue. In a preferred embodiment a cutting element for cutting tissue is incorporated into the instrument.