Throughout its existence, NASA has made many amazing discoveries in the field of optics that have led to improved eye care and eyewear applications on Earth. Innovations such as laser eye-tracking for LASIK vision-correction procedures, eye trackers that enable people with severe...

An obstacle to successful cancer drug therapy is the existence of drug delivery barriers, which result in insufficient and heterogeneous drug delivery to the tumor tissue. This drug delivery problem not only limits the clinical application of existing chemotherapeutics,...

The Ortho-Light™ from Lumitex MD® (Strongsville, OH) is designed to help orthopedic surgeons improve visualization in small-incision hip, shoulder, or knee surgeries. The light attaches to any retractor using a biocompatible, two-sided adhesive and inserts directly into the surgical cavity. This disposable, single-use device is...

Ocean Optics (Dunedin, FL) offers the XR-Series of miniature fiber optics spectrometers that provide an optical resolution of 2.0 nm and cover wavelengths from ~200 to 1050 nm. This XR option is available for USB2000+, JAZ-EL200, and USB4000 spectrometers and custom systems. It features 500 lines/mm groove...

Optical Gaging Products (Rochester, NY) offers the SmartScope® Specialist 300 multisensor dimensional measurement system and the Focus™ Specialist 16” horizontal contour projector. These systems are designed to verify dimensions of orthopedic implants. The Specialist 300 is an optical-based benchtop metrology system...

Joining severed vessels is a recurring problem in trauma and surgery. The basic technology of joining vessels using sutures has been available for centuries, but remains a slow and tedious process. A complete system for micro-anastomosis of vessels was developed that involves a laser...

Using lasers and nanoparticles, Rice University scientists have discovered a new technique for singling out individual diseased cells and destroying them with tiny explosions. The scientists used lasers to make "nanobubbles" by zapping gold nanoparticles inside cells. "Single- cell targeting is one of...

Ophthalmic surgeons at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas are the first in the Defense Department to employ a state-of-the-art laser that will shorten recovery times for corneal transplantation. They are using a femtosecond laser to dissect human cornea tissue for cornea transplants or refractive surgery.

The use of low-level lasers for the therapeutic treatment of disease is growing. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) covers a number of techniques, including biostimulation, cold laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy. LLLT uses lowlevel lasers (less than 500 mW) or lightemitting...

Potomac Photonics (Lanham, MD) has released the BioFAB 1000MB multibeam and 500 MB laser systems. The 1000 MB can house up to six lasers or a combination of lasers and mechanical devices; the 500 MB holds three lasers or mechanical devices. The systems can machine materials such as polymers, metals, ceramics, glass, and...

Diabetic retinopathy resulting from long-term diabetes mellitus is one of the common diseases that leads to choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a leading cause of blindness. Among the currently available treatment methods, a laser can be used to photocoagulate the diseased areas....

Product Focus: MD&M Midwest Exhibitor Preview

See these and other products at MD&M Midwest, September 22-24, Rosemont, IL (www.mdmmidwest.com)

Among NASA’s research goals is increased understanding of factors affecting plant growth, including the effects of microgravity. Impeding such studies, traditional light sources used to grow plants on Earth are difficult to adapt to spaceflight, as they require considerable amounts of power and...