A treatment apparatus and a treatment method capable of minimally invasively specifying a lesion extent and checking progress of treatment while performing the treatment for destroying tumor cells. The treatment apparatus that detects and destroys a tumor cell by irradiating an antibody-photosensitive substance adsorbed on a tumor cell membrane with excitation light includes: an elongated tubular shaft having optical transparency; a light irradiation unit configured to emit the excitation light of the antibody-photosensitive substance from an inside of the shaft in a side direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft; and a side direction fluorescence detection unit configured to detect, from the side direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft, fluorescence emitted by the excited antibody-photosensitive substance, and movable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft.

Cortical network structure that mediates response to brain stimulation, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for brain stimulation includes: delivering an input stimulus to an area of the brain, via a cortical implant; in response to delivering the input stimulus, generating neural signals in the brain; and generating a predicted outcome of the input stimulus. The predicted outcome is based on a set of data derived from a model that combines: protocol features that are brain agnostic, and network features that are based on interactions between neural nodes of the brain.

Disclosed is a device for interstitial laser therapy. The device comprises an optical waveguide extending about a central longitudinal axis and having an optical output end; an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associate with, or positioned about the optical output end, wherein the optical diffuser comprises a housing having an open end for receiving the optical output end and a first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide; and a temperature sensor interposed, positioned or located between the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface of the housing, and preferably within the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide. The optical diffuser can be provided with one or more holes, one or more slits, one or more openings, and/or one or more vents. The device can also include a second temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a system for interstitial laser therapy.

A light applicator (1) executes a transcutaneous photodynamic therapy (PDT), in tissue (25) of an organic body (23) and includes a needle section (5), extending longitudinally along an insertion axis (L), and at least one light-emitting element (7) at the distal end (3) of the needle section (5). An at least partially light-transparent applicator tip (9) extends at least distally from the at least one light-emitting element (7), for insertion of the needle section (5) into the tissue (25) of the organic body (23) along the insertion axis (L). A handgrip element (19) is arranged proximally with respect to the needle section (5) for manual positioning of the light applicator (1). The handgrip element (19) can be coupled to the needle section (5) for positioning and/or insertion, and is configured to be detachable from the needle section (5) for the execution of the PDT.

A system, for transcutaneous photodynamic therapy in an organ or organ segment of an organic body, includes a plurality of light applicators (9), a supply unit (23) and a placement template (39) placeable relative to the organic body for defined orientation of the light applicators. The light applicators include a needle-shaped insertion portion (15) for transcutaneous piercing along a piercing axis (E), a light-emitting applicator tip (19) at the distal end (13) of the insertion portion, and a fixing point (43) at a proximal distance d from the applicator tip. The placement template defines a plurality of fixing point receptacles (51) for fixing the light applicators with a defined fixing point and includes a first and second template parts (71, 75) defining first and second subsets (73, 77) of fixing point receptacles. The first template part is guidingly displaceable relative to the second template part along the piercing axis.

A system, for transcutaneous photodynamic therapy in an organ or organ segment of an organic body, includes a plurality of light applicators, a supply unit and a placement template placeable relative to the organic body for defined orientation of the light applicators. The light applicators include a needle-shaped insertion portion for transcutaneous piercing along a piercing axis, a light-emitting applicator tip at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a fixing point at a proximal distance from the applicator tip. The placement template defines fixing point receptacles for fixing the light applicators with a defined fixing point wherein the receptacles are arranged in accordance with a three-dimensional fixing point grid structure, that corresponds to a virtual organ-specific target point grid structure for the light-emitting applicator tips in the organ that is arranged parallel-displaced relative to the target point grid structure by the distance d along the piercing axis.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that can apply low level light (LLL) to facilitate platelet biogenesis or extend platelet lifespan. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that LLL can enhance the ATP synthesis by the mitochondria within platelets and/or platelet precursor cells, which, thereby, helps to enhance platelet biogenesis and extend the platelet lifespan. In some instances, LLL can facilitate in vitro and/or in vivo platelet biogenesis. In other instances, LLL can extend platelet lifespan in circulation. In still other instances, LLL can be employed to prolong the shelf-life of stored platelets.

A pharmaceutical composition for modifying a target structure, which includes at least one agent selected from the group consisting of energy modulation agents, plasmonics-active agents and combinations thereof; the energy modulation agents, when present, including one or more light emitters capable of emitting at least two different wavelengths of light, each wavelength of light associated with a different biological response, and the at least two different wavelengths capable of activating different biological responses; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

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.

A multi-portal method for treating a subject's spine includes distracting adjacent vertebrae using a distraction instrument positioned at a first entrance along the subject to enlarge an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae. An interbody fusion implant can be delivered into the enlarged intervertebral space. The interbody fusion implant can be positioned directly between vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae while endoscopically viewing the interbody fusion implant using an endoscopic instrument. The patient's spine can be visualized using endoscopic techniques to view, for example, the spine, tissue, instruments, and implants before, during, and after implantation, or the like. The visualization can help a physician throughout the surgical procedure to improve patient outcome.