Abstract: The present invention provides a deflectable needle system for use in performing diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedures. The needle assembly of the invention provides access to physiological sites which may be inaccessible by prior art needle systems due to an obstruction. The deflectable needle assembly includes a telescoping cannula, catheter and stylet. The catheter component of the assembly is curved at its distal end and axially rotatable within the lumen of the cannula providing simple maneuverability for accurate placement of the catheter at a chosen physiological site.

Abstract: The invention provides a robot hand that can mimic the movements of a human hand in operation. The robot hand includes a thumb and at least one opposing finger having at least two phalanxes connectable to each other by a distal phalanx joint. The thumb of the robot hand also includes a joint which allows the thumb to move transversely with respect to the opposing fingers. The robot hand can also include one or more additional fingers disposed on an opposite side of the thumb. The robot hand can be operated mechanically or electrically through controlling motors.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for removing a consolidated mass, such as a tumor, from a dense tissue. In one embodiment, a device of the invention comprises a system of telescoping needles for separating or widening the dense tissue for exposure of the consolidated mass. In some embodiments, a device further comprises an arrangement for cutting out the mass. In another embodiment, the invention provides for obtaining a diagnostic biopsy of the consolidated mass prior to removal of the mass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatuses and methods for determining blood flow characteristics and imaging interior surface contours within vessel walls. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the invention includes a hollow tubular lumen having a proximal end and distal end wherein the distal end includes a microbubble forming arrangement for forming microbubbles when a gas is passed through the distal end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for preparing medical instruments which cause reduced or enhanced artifact on diagnostic images. According to the invention, a reduced artifact instrument may be prepared using titanium alloy compositions or plastic compositions disclosed herein. An enhanced artifact instrument may be prepared by incorporating artifact causing materials into artifact free instruments. Such instruments are suitable for use during diagnostic imaging procedures, for example, magnetic resonance imaging. The invention also provides compositions and methods for removing magnetic contaminants from the surface of a medical instrument or an alloy material.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for correlating the internal location of an anatomical point of a human or animal patient with a location on the external body contours of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for preparing medical instruments which cause reduced or enhanced artifact on diagnostic images. According to the invention, a reduced artifact instrument may be prepared using titanium alloy compositions or plastic compositions disclosed herein. An enhanced artifact instrument may be prepared by incorporating artifact causing materials into artifact free instruments. Such instruments are suitable for use during diagnostic imaging procedures, for example, magnetic resonance imaging. The invention also provides a new penetrating end for penetrating instruments used to perform medical and surgical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical manipulator for remotely grasping and manipulating things in response to movements of a human hand controlling the device. Movements of human fingers can be transmitted to mechanical finger-like devices through mechanical cables and linkages. In one embodiment the linkages include a mechanical movement reduction device to translate large hand movements to smaller distal movements. Various structures are provided at the proximal and distal ends for sensing and replicating the movements of a human hand.

Abstract: A device for marking a planned guide path of a medical instrument such as a puncture needle is disclosed. The device incorporates two sources of electromagnetic radiation, such as lasers, which produce two light rays. The intersecting line of the light rays marks the guide path for the puncture needle. Deviations of the angle position of the puncture needle from the planned guide path are visible by examining the reflection of the light from the puncture needle. Different colors of light may be used with the light rays being formed in a fan-shape in a common plane. In this manner, the color of the reflected light on the surface of the puncture needle changes depending on whether the puncture needle is located at the intersection of the light rays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical manipulator for remotely grasping and manipulating things in response to movements of a human hand controlling the device. Movements of human fingers can be transmitted to mechanical finger-like devices through mechanical cables and linkages. In one embodiment the linkages include a mechanical movement reduction device to translate large hand movements to smaller distal movements. Various structures are provided at the proximal and distal ends for sensing and replicating the movements of a human hand.