1238 results about "Penetration depth" patented technology

Devices and methods for non-invasively measuring at least one parameter of a sample, such as the presence of a disease condition, progression of a disease state, presence of an analyte, or concentration of an analyte, in a biological sample, such as, for example, a body part. In these devices and methods, temperature is controlled and is varied between preset boundaries. The methods and devices measure light that is reflected, scattered, absorbed, or emitted by the sample from an average sampling depth, d_av, that is confined within a region in the sample wherein temperature is controlled. According to the method of this invention, the sampling depth d_av, in human tissue is modified by changing the temperature of the tissue. The sampling depth increases as the temperature is lowered below the body core temperature and decreases when the temperature is raised within or above the body core temperature. Changing the temperature at the measurement site changes the light penetration depth in tissue and hence d_av. Change in light penetration in tissue as a function of temperature can be used to estimate the presence of a disease condition, progression of a disease state, presence of an analyte, or concentration of an analyte in a biological sample. According to the method of this invention, an optical measurement is performed on a biological sample at a first temperature. Then, when the optical measurement is repeated at a second temperature, light will penetrate into the biological sample to a depth that is different from the depth to which light penetrates at the first temperature by from about 5% to about 20%.

The invention relates to a method and device for placing implants (1) using a surgical template (11) which is made from tomographic cuts in the patient's jawbone (7). According to the invention, step drills (4) and calibrating drills (5), having a single standard diameter for each type of implant (1), are guided through drill bushings (18) which are inserted into bores (15) in the template (11) in order to produce any drilling sequence corresponding to an implant plan. The penetration depth of the drills (4, 5) is controlled by the height of the bores (15) or by the drill rings (21). The aforementioned template (11) bores (15) serve as a guide for the precise placement of the implants (1) owing to the adapted implant supports (3). Moreover, washers (23), which are mounted around the implant supports (3), limit compression in relation to the implants (1) while said implants are being placed (20). The above-mentioned characteristics serve to limit the required number of drills (4, 5) and implant supports (3) to the longest models only. The inventive method and device are particularly suitable for computer-assisted implantology systems.

A lancing device includes a lancing mechanism, a floating probe and a pressure tip. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet carriage, a lancet holder slidably connected to the lancet carriage, and a lancet attached to the lancet holder. The pressure tip of the lancing device is configured for engaging a target site and creating a target site bulge. The floating probe is adapted to floatably contact the target site bulge and to operatively interact with the lance carriage to control a penetration depth of the lancet into the target site bulge. A method for lancing a target site includes providing the lancing device describe above and contacting the pressure tip of the lancing device with the target site. The pressure tip is then urged towards the target site to create a target site bulge with the floating probe of the lancing device floating on a surface of the target site bulge. Next, the target site bulge is lanced while the floating probe operatively interacts with the lance carriage to control a penetration depth of the lancet.

Biocompatible materials are propelled at the skin with sufficient velocity to cause desired resurfacing of skin layers to the desired penetration depth. The materials, such as dry ice or water ice, are harmonious with the human body and thus eliminate foreign body reactions. Various materials may be used in combination, including local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors in solid or liquid form. The biocompatible solid or liquid particles are suspended in a cold carrier fluid and propelled through an insulated delivery system to the surface of the skin. The treatment of diseased skin lesions may be accomplished using the present invention as a drug delivery system.

A lancing device and method for self-collecting a sample of body fluid by penetrating a body tissue at a sampling site. The invention includes a housing geometry configured for ease of use at different sampling sites on the body, even by persons having reduced dexterity and/or poor vision. Depth of penetration is selectively controlled by adjusting the stroke range of a spring-driven lancet carrier. A pressure applicator is included for stimulating flow of the body fluid. A transparent portion permits observation of the sampling site.

An intravitreal injection device for administering a pharmacological agent formulation to an intravitreal compartment of an eye, comprising (i) a nozzle member having an internal formulation chamber that is adapted to receive and contain the pharmacological agent formulation therein, (ii) a microneedle having a first end that is in communication with the nozzle member and a second ejection end, (iii) and piercing depth limiter means for limiting the penetration depth of the microneedle into the eye, the microneedle piercing depth limiter means including guide means for positioning the limiter means and guiding the microneedle.

A catheter is adapted to ablate tissue and provide lesion qualitative information on a real time basis, having an ablation tip section with a generally omni-directional light diffusion chamber with one openings to allow light energy in the chamber to radiate the tissue and return to the chamber. The chamber is irrigated at a positive pressure differential to continuously flush the opening with fluid. The light energy returning to the chamber from the tissue conveys a tissue parameter, including without limitation, lesion formation, depth of penetration of lesion, cross-sectional area of lesion, formation of char during ablation, recognition of char during ablation, recognition of char from non-charred tissue, formation of coagulum around the ablation site, differentiation of coagulated from non-coagulated blood, differentiation of ablated from healthy tissue, tissue proximity, and recognition of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop.

An apparatus and method for forming a hole in material for non-medical and medical purposes such as a cranial burr hole for ventriculostomy and brain biopsy procedures. The apparatus includes a main unit upon which a drill unit is located. The drill unit includes a drill bit and an on/off switching means. The main unit includes a handle which is suitable for grasping, and an advancing mechanism including a release/engage mechanism, and an advancing lever and an optional on/off switch. The drill unit is advanced a predetermined distance relative to the main unit each time an advancing lever is pulled. In use, the apparatus is placed in a desired position upon the material to be drilled such a patient's skull and is stabilized by a stabilization platform, the apparatus is then turned on, and the advancing lever is pulled to advance the drill unit a predetermined distance relative to a longitudinal axis of the main unit with each pull of the advancing lever. The procedure is ended when the desired depth of penetration has been reached, or the material such as in the case of skull bone, has been completely penetrated.

A lancing device includes a housing, a lancing mechanism operatively attached to the housing, a pressure tip and a trigger mechanism. The pressure tip is moveably attached to the housing and is configured to engage a target site and create a target site bulge. The trigger mechanism is configured for detecting a target site bulge of a predetermined height and, thereafter, triggering an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to the housing. The immobilization of the pressure tip prevents further change in the location of the target site bulge relative to the housing. Since the location of target site bulge relative to the housing is controlled by the trigger mechanism, via immobilization of the pressure tip, penetration depth is consistent. A method for lancing a target site includes providing the lancing device described above and contacting a pressure tip of the lancing device with the target site. Next, the pressure tip is urged towards the target site, thereby creating target site bulge that is detected by a trigger mechanism of the lancing device. Subsequently, an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to a housing of the lancing device is triggered. Thereafter, the target site bulge is lanced with a lancet mechanism of the lancing device.

An imaging probe for a biological sample includes an OCT probe and an ultrasound probe combined with the OCT probe in an integral probe package capable of providing by a single scanning operation images from the OCT probe and ultrasound probe to simultaneously provide integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound imaging of the same biological sample. A method to provide high resolution imaging of biomedical tissue includes the steps of finding an area of interest using the guidance of ultrasound imaging, and obtaining an OCT image and once the area of interest is identified where the combination of the two imaging modalities yields high resolution OCT and deep penetration depth ultrasound imaging.

A carbon dioxide laser is used as a non-mechanical means for smoothing and polishing the as-cut chamfer surface at the edge of the disk. Applying laser radiation to the glass surface causes transient melting and resolidification. Due to surface tension effects, the glass resolidifies to produce a surface that is significantly smoother than it was before irradiation. If scratches or abrasive marks are present on the glass surface prior to irradiation, the irradiation process "polishes out" these defects as long as they are not too deep. At a wavelength near 10 mum, the penetration depth of the radiation into the glass is approximately 1 mum. Therefore, scratches and defects of this order of magnitude are eliminated. The quality of the resulting modified chamfer surface is far superior to the original mechanically ground and polished surface.