Improved optical coherence tomography systems and methods to measure thickness of the retina are presented. The systems may be compact, handheld, provide in-home monitoring, allow the patient to measure himself or herself, and be robust enough to be dropped while still measuring the retina reliably.

A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

The present invention relates to a perfusion cannula for placement of an access, having a cannula wall and a perfusion lumen which is surrounded by the cannula wall and in which a fluid flow can flow through the perfusion cannula, wherein the perfusion cannula furthermore comprises at least one sensor lumen and at least one sensor device, in particular an ECG sensor, which is arranged at least partially in the sensor lumen. As a result, it is possible to provide a particularly reliable perfusion cannula with improved functionality and for reliable handling, in particular in conjunction with an extracorporeal lung support system.

A surgical laser system includes a first laser source, a second laser source, a beam combiner and a laser probe. The first laser source is configured to output a first laser pulse train comprising first laser pulses. The second laser source is configured to output a second laser pulse train comprising second laser pulses. The beam combiner is configured to combine the first and second laser pulse trains and output a combined laser pulse train comprising the first and second laser pulses. The laser probe is optically coupled to an output of the beam combiner and is configured to discharge the combined laser pulse train.

Disclosed are embodiments that relate to the deployment of a glucose sensor comprising an optical fiber into a physiological fluid, wherein the optical fiber has disposed along a distal region thereof a chemical indicator system comprising a fluorophore and a glucose binding moiety immobilized within a hydrogel, wherein the components of the chemical indicator system are in a dry state before deployment. Also disclosed is a one-point in vivo calibration of the chemical indicator system based on an independently measured glucose concentration.

The disclosure relates to a catheter, comprising: an elongated shaft body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a distal end portion connected to a catheter tip at a distal end of the catheter, wherein the shaft body comprises a first lumen extending along the longitudinal axis, and an optical fiber for measuring a force, wherein the optical fiber extends in the first lumen and comprises at least a first Bragg grating arranged in in the distal end portion of the shaft body. The distal end portion of the shaft body encloses at least a first stiffening element, wherein the first stiffening element extends along the longitudinal axis for stiffening the distal end portion of the shaft body.

Improved optical coherence tomography systems and methods to measure thickness of the retina are presented. The systems may be compact, handheld, provide in-home monitoring, allow the patient to measure himself or herself, and be robust enough to be dropped while still measuring the retina reliably.

Described herein is an optical device that is arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation and a method of forming an optical device. In one embodiment, the optical device comprises an optical fibre that is arranged to transmit electromagnetic radiation between a source of electromagnetic radiation and an area of interest of a sample material. The optical device also comprises an optical element coupled to an end portion of the optical fibre. The optical element comprises a graphene lens that is arranged to focus the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the optical fibre to a focal region within the area of interest of the sample material.

A wearable device includes a ring-shaped housing having a central opening and defining an annular interior volume. The housing is configured to be worn within an ear of a subject such that the subjects ear canal is exposed by the central opening. At least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector are supported within the housing. The housing includes at least one window through which light can be delivered from the at least one optical emitter to the ear, and through which light from the ear can be delivered to the at least one optical detector.

Devices, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are provided for hemorrhage detection. An example sensing device for hemorrhage detection includes a blood detection layer that includes a permeable film and one or more optical fibers supported by the permeable film. The device also includes an optical sensor that includes a light source that emits light and an optical receiver in optical communication with the light source via the one or more optical fibers. The optical receiver generates optical data responsive to the light emitted by the light source and received by the optical receiver via the one or more optical fibers indicative of at least a wavelength of the light. The device further includes a controller operably coupled with the optical sensor that receives the optical data generated by the optical receiver in response to the emitted light and determines an amount of blood based upon the optical data.