A mobile-platform imaging device uses compression of the target region to generate an image of an object. A tactile sensor has an optical waveguide with a flexible, transparent first layer. Light is directed into the waveguide. Light is scattered out of the first layer when the first layer is deformed. The first layer is deformed by the tactile sensor being pressed against the object. A force sensor detects a force pressing the tactile sensor against the object and outputs corresponding force information. A first communication unit receives the force information from the force sensor. A receptacle holds a mobile device with a second communication unit and an imager that can generate image information using light scattered out of the first layer. The first communication unit communicates with the second communication unit and the mobile device communicates with an external network.

A catheter comprises an elongated catheter body, a control handle, and a hollow tip electrode having a radially-symmetrical shell defining a cavity surrounding a center inner location from which light is emitted to pass through a plurality of openings formed in the shell for interaction with tissue and/or fluid, such as blood, outside of and in contact with the shell. Light interacting with tissue is reflected back into the cavity for collection whereas light interacting with fluid, such as blood, is absorbed. By analyzing the light collected in the cavity, a determination is made as to a ratio of light reflected by tissue versus light absorbed by fluid for indicating the amount of contact between the tip electrode and tissue. Alternatively, fluorescence may similarly be employed (light is emitted at one wavelength and detected at one or more different wavelengths) since tissue and blood have different fluorescence properties at various wavelengths. An integrated ablation and spectroscopy system further comprises an RF generator, a light source and a light analyzer adapted to analyze the light collected in the cavity.

A uterine manipulator can include a shaft including a first end, a second end, and embodiments of a cutting head configured and arranged to receive a cervix. The cutting head can be configured and adapted to be used to cut the tissue joining the vaginal wall to the cervix and uterus to facilitate removal of the uterus in a minimally invasive manner.

A surgical visualization feedback system is disclosed. The surgical visualization feedback system comprises an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an anatomical structure. The emitter assembly comprises a structured light emitter configured to emit a structured light pattern on a surface of the anatomical structure and a spectral light emitter configured to emit spectral light capable of penetrating the anatomical structure. The surgical visualization feedback system further comprises a waveform sensor assembly configured to detect reflected electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the emitted electromagnetic radiation and a control circuit in signal communication with the waveform sensor assembly. The control circuit is configured to receive an input corresponding to a selected surgical procedure, determine an identity of a targeted structure within the anatomical structure based on the selected surgical procedure and the reflected electromagnetic radiation, and confirm the determined identity of the targeted structure through a user input.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly having a distal end and an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween. The end effector also includes at least one lightbox for detecting the tissue. The at least one lightbox includes a housing having at least one optically transmissive surface configured to face the tissue. The at least one lightbox also includes at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element. The at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element is secured to the housing.

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, including a shaft assembly having a distal end and an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween, and an optical sensor for detecting the tissue. The surgical system also includes a generator configured to supply a therapeutic energy to the first jaw or the second jaw, and a pass-through device configured to be connected between the surgical instrument and the generator. The pass-through device includes a therapeutic energy connector configured to operatively couple the generator to the surgical instrument for transmitting the therapeutic energy from the generator to the first jaw or the second jaw, and at least one optical component configured to transmit light to the optical sensor and to receive light from the optical sensor.

A tissue detection system includes a probe having a body and an emission optical fiber extending from an input end through the probe body to an output end at a distal end portion of the probe body. The emission optical fiber defines a Numerical Aperture (NA). The tissue detection system further includes an emitter configured to output electromagnetic radiation and an optical coupler optically coupling the emitter with the input end of the emission optical fiber such that, in response to receiving the output from the emitter, electromagnetic radiation is input to the input end of the emission optical fiber. The optical coupler modifies the electromagnetic radiation such that the electromagnetic radiation input to the input end of the emission optical fiber defines an NA about equal to or less than the NA of the emission optical fiber.

A vitrector cutting instrument includes a first needle supported by a tool body, the first needle having an inside and outside diameter and a cut window disposed near the distal end, a second needle housed concentrically within the first needle, the second needle chucked in a spring-tensioned needle chuck connected to at least one diaphragm connected by an airline to a switch-controlled pneumatic machine having a control console, the second needle operated from the control console to advance into the cut window and retract from the cut window repetitively defining a cutting process, an illumination module containing at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixed at the distal end of the first needle beyond the cut window, and a power trace extending from the illumination module to a power source. The illumination module may be powered on to aid in illuminating the posterior ocular chamber surrounding the area of cutting.

In one embodiment, a suture attachment catheter configured to repair a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient includes a handle control, a flexible catheter body, and a suture attachment assembly at a distal end of the catheter body. The suture attachment assembly can include a rail between a distal clamping jaw hingedly attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw. One of the proximal clamping jaw or distal clamping jaw can be selectively slideable with respect to the other on the rail using a jaw actuator of the control handle to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw. A needle can be selectively slideable within the catheter body by using a needle actuator of the proximal handle control to penetrate a valve leaflet and insert a suture through the valve leaflet when the valve leaflet is captured between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.

Fiber optic tapered coupler and methods of manufacturing same. One method of manufacturing a fiber optic tapered coupler arrangement includes providing an output fiber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The method also includes applying heat to the first end of the output fiber, wherein the first end expands forming a taper at the first end of the output fiber. The method also includes splicing the tapered first end of the output fiber to a first end of an input fiber, wherein a non-tapered portion of the output fiber has a first diameter and the input fiber has a second diameter different from the first diameter.