Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one light emitter generating light at a first intensity and an array of light sensors including a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row of light sensors adapted to generate a signal including a non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the array of light sensors, the controller including an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors in the row of light sensors, to determine if the non-pulsatile component transitions from a higher magnitude to a lower magnitude and from a lower magnitude to a higher magnitude, and if so, to determine if the first intensity should be changed to a second intensity.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a tubular shaft having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface disposed about an inner space, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical system also includes at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft, and one or more leads or conductors electrically coupled to the at least one light emitter or the at least one light sensor. The one or more leads may be disposed in clearances defined by first and second jaws. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more conductors may be formed on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate may have a deformed state in which the substrate is disposed in the inner space.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end, an array of light sensors disposed opposite the at least one light emitter, the array comprising a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row adapted to generate a signal comprising a pulsatile and a non-pulsatile component, and a controller coupled to the array, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the pulsatile component from the non-pulsatile component, and an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the pulsatile and non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors, to determine a first peak magnitude and a second peak magnitude of the pulsatile components, and to determine a resting outer diameter of the vessel based on the first and second peak magnitudes.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end, an array of light sensors disposed opposite the at least one light emitter, the array comprising a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row adapted to generate a signal comprising a pulsatile and a non-pulsatile component, and a controller coupled to the array, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the pulsatile component from the non-pulsatile component, and an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the pulsatile and non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors, to determine a first peak magnitude and a second peak magnitude of the pulsatile components, and to determine a resting outer diameter of the vessel based on the first and second peak magnitudes.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a tubular shaft having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface disposed about an inner space, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical system also includes at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft, and one or more leads or conductors electrically coupled to the at least one light emitter or the at least one light sensor. The one or more leads may be disposed in clearances defined by first and second jaws. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more conductors may be formed on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate may have a deformed state in which the substrate is disposed in the inner space.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one light emitter generating light at a first intensity and an array of light sensors including a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row of light sensors adapted to generate a signal including a non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the array of light sensors, the controller including an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors in the row of light sensors, to determine if the non-pulsatile component transitions from a higher magnitude to a lower magnitude and from a lower magnitude to a higher magnitude, and if so, to determine if the first intensity should be changed to a second intensity.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument, and at least one light sensor disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument opposite the at least one light emitter, the at least one light sensor adapted to generate a signal comprising a first pulsatile component and a second non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the at least one light sensor, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the first pulsatile component from the second non-pulsatile component and an analyzer to quantify the size of the vessel within the region proximate to the working end of the surgical instrument based on the first pulsatile component.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one light emitter generating light at a first intensity and an array of light sensors including a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row of light sensors adapted to generate a signal including a non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the array of light sensors, the controller including an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors in the row of light sensors, to determine if the non-pulsatile component transitions from a higher magnitude to a lower magnitude and from a lower magnitude to a higher magnitude, and if so, to determine if the first intensity should be changed to a second intensity.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine if a vessel is within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument, the at least one light emitter adapted to emit light of at least two different wavelengths. The system also includes at least one light sensor disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument opposite the at least one light emitter, the at least one light sensor adapted to detect light at the at least two different wavelengths. The system further includes a controller coupled to the at least one light sensor and adapted to determine a ratio of the light absorbed at the least two different wavelengths, and to indicate if an artifact within a region proximate to the working end of the surgical instrument is a vessel based on the ratio.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine the presence of a vessel within a region (102) proximate to a working end (104) of a surgical instrument (106) includes at least one light emitter (110) disposed at the working end (104) of the surgical instrument (106), and at least one light sensor (112) disposed at the working end (104) of the surgical instrument (106) and configured to receive light emitted from the at least one light emitter (110) and reflected from the region (102), the at least one light sensor (112) adapted to generate a signal comprising a first pulsatile component and a second non-pulsatile component.

Abstract: A surgical system including a tubular shaft having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface disposed about an inner space, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The system also includes a light emitter and a light sensor disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft, and one or more conductors electrically coupled to the light emitter or the light sensor. The one or more conductors extend from the distal end of the tubular shaft to the proximal end of the shaft, and are disposed radially outward of the inner surface of the tubular shaft.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one light emitter generating light at a first intensity and an array of light sensors including a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row of light sensors adapted to generate a signal including a non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the array of light sensors, the controller including an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors in the row of light sensors, to determine if the non-pulsatile component transitions from a higher magnitude to a lower magnitude and from a lower magnitude to a higher magnitude, and if so, to determine if the first intensity should be changed to a second intensity.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end, an array of light sensors disposed opposite the at least one light emitter, the array comprising a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row adapted to generate a signal comprising a pulsatile and a non-pulsatile component, and a controller coupled to the array, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the pulsatile component from the non-pulsatile component, and an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the pulsatile and non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors, to determine a first peak magnitude and a second peak magnitude of the pulsatile components, and to determine a resting outer diameter of the vessel based on the first and second peak magnitudes.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument, and at least one light sensor disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument opposite the at least one light emitter, the at least one light sensor adapted to generate a signal comprising a first pulsatile component and a second non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the at least one light sensor, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the first pulsatile component from the second non-pulsatile component and an analyzer to quantify the size of the vessel within the region proximate to the working end of the surgical instrument based on the first pulsatile component.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: A surgical system used to determine if a vessel is within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument, the at least one light emitter adapted to emit light of at least two different wavelengths. The system also includes at least one light sensor disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument opposite the at least one light emitter, the at least one light sensor adapted to detect light at the at least two different wavelengths. The system further includes a controller coupled to the at least one light sensor and adapted to determine a ratio of the light absorbed at the least two different wavelengths, and to indicate if an artifact within a region proximate to the working end of the surgical instrument is a vessel based on the ratio.

Abstract: An instrumented surgical tool and associated systems and methods for performing surgical procedures such as tissue dissection or ligation using the instrumented surgical tool are described. In particular, a surgical tool operatively connected to a sensor used to detect a structural artifact such as the presence and characteristics of a blood vessel and to evaluate the safe use of the surgical tool within a surgical field is described.

Abstract: Chlorotoxin-labeled nanoparticles that target primary brain tumors, compositions that include the nanoparticles, methods of imaging tissues using the nanoparticles, and methods for treating tissues using the nanoparticles.