Abstract: A method for managing a virtual patient model of a patient for a series of treatment and/or examination procedures occurring over time, wherein at least at a first time point at which the patient is described by first patient parameters, the patient model describes at least the surface of the patient at the first time point, wherein at least at a second later time point at which the patient is described by second patient parameters, the patient model is extended by at least one model transformation using the first and second patient parameters for describing at least the surface of the patient at the second time point.

Abstract: Gas recirculation systems for use in endoscopic surgical procedures including a gas recirculation pump are disclosed. The gas recirculation pump may work in conjunction with an insufflator used to inflate a patient's peritoneal cavity during surgery. The gas recirculation system may recirculate a flow of gas from and to the patient, based on a detected amount of smoke in the gas, while filtering particulate matter out of the gas and while maintaining an adequate moisture content in the gas. A controller may adjust the speed of a pump motor based on the detected amount of smoke, and may also open a suction exhaust path to vent gas and smoke if the amount of smoke detected exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Described are systems that include at least one sub-system to track, measure, monitor and reward adolescents and young adults for performing daily physical activities, which include before-school, in-school, after-school, sports and activities of daily living. The system offers adolescents the opportunity to track their integrated physical activity level (I-PAL) scores over their adolescent years. Also described are systems that include at least one sub-system that supports the four pillars of juvenile diabetes management, which include managing medications, monitoring blood glucose levels, documenting eating habits and tracking integrated physical activity levels. Another embodiment describes systems to manage childhood obesity that includes documenting eating habits, tracking integrated physical activity levels, offering educational and motivational information and managing comorbidities related to childhood obesity.

Abstract: A tissue protector is adapted to be positioned on the skin surrounding an incision. The tissue protector provides a load bearing surface for surgical tools and instruments to prevent blunt force and pressure trauma to the skin and soft tissues within the incision. In one embodiment, the tissue protector is a sheet of wear-resistant material having an opening corresponding to the incision and expandable as the incision is retracted. In another embodiment, a tissue protector device includes a continuous expandable arrangement of interconnected L-shaped links. In still another embodiment, a one-piece tissue protector includes a flexible panel supported on the skin and a flexible sleeve extending into the incision. Yet another embodiment of the invention resides in a track that is supported about the incision. An instrument support platform is slidably mounted to the track to support a surgical tool relative to the incision.

Abstract: A tissue protector is adapted to be positioned on the skin surrounding an incision. The tissue protector provides a load bearing surface for surgical tools and instruments to prevent blunt force and pressure trauma to the skin and soft tissues within the incision. In one embodiment, the tissue protector is a sheet of wear-resistant material having an opening corresponding to the incision and expandable as the incision is retracted. In another embodiment, a tissue protector device includes a continuous expandable arrangement of interconnected L-shaped links. In still another embodiment, a one-piece tissue protector includes a flexible panel supported on the skin and a flexible sleeve extending into the incision. Yet another embodiment of the invention resides in a track that is supported about the incision. An instrument support platform is slidably mounted to the track to support a surgical tool relative to the incision.

Abstract: A bone fixator for a ligament anchor system and a process its use in an arthroscopic procedure for mounting a ligament graft end in a tunnel formed into a bone. The bone fixator includes threaded footing member for mounting in a bone tunnel, that includes a longitudinal opening formed therethrough, and a ligament carrying member that has a forward of proximal portion for fitting through the threaded footing member longitudinal opening and including a coupling arrangement for securing the ligament carrying member in the threaded footing member.

Abstract: A ligament fixator for a ligament anchor system and a process its use in an arthroscopic procedure for mounting a ligament graft end in a tunnel formed into a bone. The anchor system includes footing member for positioning in a bone tunnel, and includes a longitudinal opening formed therethrough, and a ligament carrying member that has a forward of proximal portion for fitting through the member longitudinal opening and includes a coupling for securing it to the footing member.

Abstract: A bone-tendon-bone drill guide for use is guiding drilling to form a pair of transverse holes through a bone end of a bone-tendon-bone ligament graft to receive a suture or sutures threaded therethrough to form a suture sling or craddle supporting the bone end as the suture are pulled into a tunnel section of a straight that has been formed into a patient's bone. The drill guide includes a pair of scissor arms connected at a pivot that are formed to where moving of lower hand engaging portions of the arms together also moves upper ends of the arms together whereacross opposing jaws are maintained. The jaws each include curved surface therealong for engaging a bone end fitted therebetween and each preferably includes spikes that extend from a jaw face for engaging, to hold in place, the bone end as a drill is turned through straight drill guide holes formed through a jaw to form transverse holes through the bone end, with the drill to exit the bone end and pass through openings formed through the other jaw.

Abstract: An expandable body suture that has a suture body that is formed in the manufacturing process over at least one pledget device that has an elongate shape with essentially a constant cross section along its mid-section and is of a diameter to fit snugly into a hole formed in a bone, ligament, tendon, or the like. The pledget device can be formed from a cloth, fabric or resinous material, is preferably resilient, is positioned in the suture body during manufacture or can be arranged on a cord or string whereover the suture body is formed during its manufacture as by weaving suture threads or strands thereover. For forming a hole in bone, ligament or tendon to receive the pledget device pulled therein, a needle or needles are secured to the suture body end or ends for forming the hole and pulling the suture body therethrough.