Abstract: Doppler probes, blood flow monitoring systems, and methods of monitoring blood flow are described. An example probe for monitoring blood flow through a blood vessel includes a retaining member, a first sensor, a first wire member, a second sensor, and a second wire member. The retaining member has a main body that defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The retaining member is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The inner surface defines a passageway in the closed configuration. The first sensor is disposed on the inner surface of the retaining member. The first wire member is attached to the first sensor and has a first end and a second end. The second sensor is disposed on the first wire member between the first end and the second end of the first wire member. The second wire member is attached to the second sensor.

Abstract: Blood flow monitors and methods of monitoring characteristics of tissue are described. An example method of monitoring characteristics of tissue includes: placing a tissue flap at a point of treatment, the tissue flap is a section of tissue that includes a blood vessel; attaching a first sensor to the tissue flap to monitor blood flow through the blood vessel; attaching the first sensor to a blood flow monitor that has a first visual display field and a second visual display field; attaching a second sensor to the tissue flap to monitor a characteristic of the tissue flap; attaching the second sensor to the blood flow monitor; activating the blood flow monitor to observe the blood flow through the first blood vessel and the characteristic of the tissue flap; and monitoring the blood flow through the first blood vessel over a period of time and the characteristic of the tissue flap.

Abstract: An example method of calibrating a blood flow monitoring device includes positioning a remote device and a blood flow monitor within physical proximity of one another, placing the remote device in a calibration mode such that a microphone of the remote device is active and can receive Doppler sounds emitted by a speaker of the blood flow monitor; emitting Doppler sounds through the speaker of the blood flow monitor; receiving the Doppler sounds as received Doppler sounds using the microphone of the remote device; emitting the received Doppler sounds through a speaker of the remote device as remote device sounds; receiving the remote device sounds using the microphone of the remote device; identifying any differences between the received Doppler sounds and the received remote device sounds; and calibrating the remote device based on the identified differences between the received Doppler sounds and the received remote device sounds.

Abstract: A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port. An endoscope, which may be the second endoscope, can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a connection structure configured for securely and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft.

Abstract: A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port. An endoscope, which may be the second endoscope, can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a connection structure configured for securely and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft.

Abstract: An implantable rod can be bent three-dimensionally in an automated system, which is especially useful for pre-surgical formation of implantable spinal rods. When local and/or global feedback processing accompanies a series of shaping steps automatically imposed on a rod or other article being shaped into three-dimensional form, formation time may be expedited compared to manual creation, and shapes difficult or impractical to create manually may be constructed simply.