Abstract: A system of treating atelectasis is provided that includes a tracheal tube positioned within an airway of a ventilated patient and an acoustic sensor coupled to the tracheal tube. The system also includes a monitor communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The monitor includes a processor configured to receive a baseline signal from the acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to provide control instructions to adjust a pressure of a gas mixture delivered to the airway through the tracheal tube. The processor is also configured to receive an updated signal from the acoustic sensor after the adjustment and identify a change in airway openness of lungs of the ventilated patient caused by the adjustment of the pressure. Further, identifying the change is based on the baseline signal and the updated signal.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft portion defining a non-circular transverse cross-section. The shaft portion includes an exterior sidewall and an interior sidewall defining two or more asymmetrical working channels.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one input coupler configured to receive an input, an end effector assembly, and an actuation assembly operably coupled between the at least one input coupler and the end effector assembly such that, in response receipt of the input by the at least one input coupler, the end effector assembly is manipulated. The system further includes a storage device storing setting information and adjustment information. The setting information enables determination of a first input to the at least one input coupler to achieve a desired manipulation of the end effector assembly. The adjustment information enables adjustment of the setting information for determination of a second input, different from the first input, to the at least one input coupler to achieve the desired manipulation of the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable. The electromechanical system includes a staple cartridge that includes a knife that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: In some examples, a medical aspiration system includes a vacuum source; a vacuum tube coupled to the vacuum source; a vent tube; and a device configured to convert a constant suction force from the vacuum source into a periodic suction force, the device including a housing configured to receive a portion of the vacuum tube and a portion of the vent tube; a first plunger; a second plunger; and a rotatable cam configured to cause the first plunger to periodically compress the vacuum tube and to cause the second plunger to periodically compress the vent tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: Vascular expandable devices and associated methods are disclosed herein. An expandable vascular device can include a generally tubular sidewall formed of a plurality of braided strands. The device can have a compressed state for delivery in which the device has a compressed state diameter of 0.027 inches or less. The device can have an expanded state in which the device has an expanded state diameter. A full expansion distance of the device corresponds to a longitudinal unconstrained distance at which the distal end of the expandable device attains the expanded state diameter. The full expansion distance can be 20 mm or less.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a channel and a removable assembly in releasable engagement with the channel. The removable assembly includes a cartridge body and a support plate. The cartridge body includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The support plate is configured to mechanically engage the cartridge body and includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The engagement structure of the cartridge body is configured for longitudinal alignment with the engagement structure of the support plate. The engagement structures of the cartridge body and the engagement structure of the support plate are configured to mechanically engage the engagement structure of the channel when the removable assembly is engaged with the channel.

Abstract: An end effector of a surgical tool may include a housing, a jaw support shaft, jaw members, and cam pulleys. The jaw support shaft is mounted to the housing and defines a pivot axis. The jaw members are supported on the jaw support shaft and are pivotable about the pivot axis. Each of the jaw members defines a support shaft slot therethrough and includes a pulley pin and a jaw pin. Each of the jaw members defines a jaw pin slot positioned to receive an opposing one of the jaw pins of the jaw members. The cam pulleys are coupled to the jaw support shaft and the jaw members. The cam pulleys are rotatable about the pivot axis to pivot the jaw members about the jaw support shaft.

Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, a drive shaft, and a wick is disclosed. The wick is disposed within an outer sleeve of the elongated portion and is made from a fibrous material. The wick is configured to transfer moisture from a first portion of the wick to a second portion of the wick.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable media for registering an electromagnetic registration of a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network include accessing a 3D model of a luminal network based on computed tomographic (CT) images of the luminal network, selecting a plurality of reference points within the 3D model of the luminal network, obtaining a plurality of survey points within the luminal network, dividing the 3D model of the luminal network and the luminal network into a plurality of regions, assigning a plurality of weights to the plurality of regions, determining an alignment of the plurality of reference points with the plurality of survey points based on the plurality of weights, and generating a registration based on the alignment, the registration enabling conversion of the plurality of survey points within the luminal network to points within the 3D model of the luminal network.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods compensate for wigwag movement of a C-arm fluoroscope to refine camera pose estimates. The methods involve computing a primary movement axis from samples of markers in fluoroscopic images of a fluoroscopic sweep of a structure of markers and processing the primary movement axis to obtain a secondary movement axis. The methods further involve aligning two-dimensional samples of each marker with the primary and secondary movement axes to obtain an aligned signal and determining a difference signal for a secondary component of the aligned signal. The difference signal is then converted to a rotation axis translation signal. The method further involves estimating a 3D position of the rotation axis. The estimated pose of the C-arm fluoroscope is then refined to compensate for the wigwag movement using the rotation axis translation signal and the estimated 3D position of the rotation axis.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method and system. The method comprises: for each of a plurality of steer angles, including a reference steer angle, transmitting acoustic energy to a target region at the particular steer angle, receiving acoustic reflections, and converting the acoustic reflections to an image, with the image being associated with the particular steer angle; computing motion information based on the image associated with the reference steer angle; and generating a compounded ultrasound image based on the image associated with each of the plurality of steer angles and based on the motion information.

Abstract: Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the thrombectomy system. The system can include a catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel, an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, and an interventional element configured to be delivered through a lumen of the catheter. The electrode and the interventional element are each configured to be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal power supply.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing navigation of a medical device with respect to a target using a live fluoroscopic view. The methods include determining a level of zoom of a fluoroscope when acquiring a reference frame. The methods further include determining whether the live fluoroscopic images evidence movement of the fluoroscope relative to its position when capturing a reference frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator, comprising an RF output stage configured to output an electrosurgical waveform through at least one pair of electrodes, sensing circuitry configured to measure an impedance between the at least one pair of electrodes configured to grasp tissue, and a controller configured to determine whether the impedance of the tissue disposed between the at least one pair of electrodes exceeds an impedance threshold, determine whether a change in the impedance is greater than an upper change in impedance threshold, and output an alarm indicative of the at least one pair of electrodes being at least partially open based on at least one of the impedance exceeding the impedance threshold or the change in impedance exceeding the change in impedance threshold.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller and an adapter assembly including a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly and a distal end portion. The adapter assembly also includes a load sensing assembly disposed with the tubular housing. The load sensing assembly is configured to measure a load exerted on the tubular housing and includes: a sensor body having a pocket defined therein; a load sensor circuit disposed within the pocket and coupled to the sensor body; and a signal processing circuit disposed within the pocket and electrically coupled to the load sensor circuit. The load sensing assembly further includes a cover disposed over the pocket and enclosing the load sensor circuit and the signal processing circuit therein, the cover being coupled to the sensor body thereby forming a first hermetic seal therebetween.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for removing obstructions from body lumens are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system for removing a thrombus includes an interventional element configured to be disposed proximate to or adjacent to a thrombus within a blood vessel. The system can include a signal generator in electrical communication with the interventional element. The signal generator can be configured to deliver an electrical signal to the interventional element. The electrical signal can include a waveform having a positive phase having a peak positive current and a first duration, and a negative phase having a peak negative current and a second duration. A magnitude of the peak positive current can be greater than a magnitude of the peak negative current, and the first duration can be greater than the second duration.