A61B2018/1807

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING SKIN CONTACT FOR A PERSONAL CARE DEVICE

According to an aspect, there is provided a system (40) configured to perform a personal care operation on skin of a subject. The system (40) comprises a processing unit (46) and a personal care device (2). The personal care device (2) comprises a housing (4) having an aperture (10) that is arranged in the housing (4) such that the aperture (10) is adjacent to the skin when the personal care device (2) is in contact with the skin and is to be used to perform the personal care operation on the skin. The personal care device (2) also comprises an imaging unit (44) disposed in the housing (4) and arranged to obtain images of the skin adjacent to the aperture (10) using light passing through the aperture (10) into the personal care device (2), wherein, in a skin contact detection mode of the system (40), a focal plane (66) of the imaging unit (44) is aligned with the aperture (10). The processing unit (46) is configured to receive, in the skin contact detection mode, one or more images obtained by the imaging unit (44) in the skin contact detection mode, and to process the one or more images to determine whether the personal care device (2) is in contact with the skin.

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ABLATION OF THE SKIN
20170367729 · 2017-12-28 ·

Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, kits, and methods for treating skin, such as skin tightening or for treating diseases, disorders, and conditions that would benefit from tissue area or volume reduction, skin restoration, skin tightening, skin lifting, and/or skin repositioning and/or for generally improving skin function or appearance (e.g., the removal of unwanted skin features or irregularities such as sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hair follicles, necrosis, and fibrosis). Such apparatuses, systems, kits, and methods comprise an apparatus having a handheld main body and a detachably attachable tip comprising one or more needles.

Fluid management catheter and methods of using same

A catheter and method for managing fluid in a patient, the catheter having an elongated shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of drainage holes along a distal portion of the shaft, with the drainage holes in fluid communication with the lumen. The catheter further has a substantially transparent tip portion attached to the distal end of the shaft with an outer distal leading surface that is substantially rounded to assist insertion through tissue.

Methods and devices for localized disease treatment by ablation

Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for increasing heat shock protein expression and treating conditions for which increased heat shock protein expression is expected to be beneficial using thermal ablation.

ENGAGEMENT FEATURES AND METHODS FOR ATTACHING A DRIVE ROD TO A KNIFE BLADE IN AN ARTICULATING SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
20230190322 · 2023-06-22 ·

A method for attaching a drive rod to a knife includes: forming a knife having proximal and distal ends; forming an aperture within the proximal end of the knife, the aperture including a series of fins disposed therein; weaving a distal end of a knife rod through the series of fins in an alternating manner; and engaging a cap onto the distal end of the knife drive rod to secure the knife drive rod within the aperture of the knife.

Pressure sensitive tissue treatment device
11510722 · 2022-11-29 · ·

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

Device and/or Method for Treating Diseases of the Skin, Glands, Mucosae, Connective Tissue, Nerves and/or Horny Tissue
20170340385 · 2017-11-30 ·

The disclosure relates to a device and a method for the treatment of diseases of the skin, glands, mucousae, connective tissue, nerves and/or horny tissue. The device is adapted for the treatment of diseases of the skin, glands, mucousae, connective tissue, nerves and/or horny tissue and has at least one applicator, which applicator is arranged outside the device housing; at least one radio wave module, which radio wave module is adapted to generate an adjustable electromagnetic radiation with a variable frequency or with at least one constant frequency with an adjustable variable or at least one adjustable constant intensity.

Endoscopic ultrasound electroporation

Cystic lesions can be treated by electroporation. For example, this document describes methods and devices for endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation of cystic lesions using a needle for electroporation.

Combined galvanic and pulsed optical energy for depilation
09827044 · 2017-11-28 · ·

A method for photothermolysis that includes applying galvanic current energy to skin at an area of a hair follicle and applying pulsed optical energy to the skin at the area of the hair follicle at an energy level and duration so as to cause thermal destruction of a hair papilla.

MULTI-FUNCTION HANDPIECES FOR ENERGY-BASED SURGERY
20170325886 · 2017-11-16 ·

A modular handpiece having a proximal handle module with a handle unit having at least one interior fluid cavity, having an exterior gripping surface, defining a fluid control port enabling fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior fluid cavity, and capable of accommodating at least one waveguide for carrying optical radiation and capable of accommodating at least one RF electrode. The handpiece further comprises a cannula module having a distal portion with a distal tip, a central portion, and a proximal portion connectable with the handle module. All three cannula portions are capable of at least one of (a) defining a waveguide conduit, (b) carrying at least one RF electrode, and (c) defining a fluid passageway between the distal tip and the interior fluid cavity of the handle unit.