Abstract: An apparatus for use in surgery is disclosed that includes an articulated instrument having a tip and at least one joint capable of bending, a controller for controlling the radius of bending of the instrument, and a sensor for calculating the amount of bending and the position of the tip of the articulated instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing surgery includes a first link that includes a first end and a second end, a second link that includes a first end and a second end, and an end effector positioned at the first end of the first link. The first end of the second link is coupled to the first link by a hinge. The end effector traces along a surface, which may be spherical or hemispherical. A system that includes the apparatus and an imaging device, such as a CT scanner, is also described.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device that includes a source that emits radiation that passes through at least part of a patient, the radiation defining a central axis of propagation; and a receiving device that receives the radiation and is arranged on the opposite side of the patient with respect to the source. The receiving device includes a first detector to detect radiation when performing at least one of tomography and fluoroscopy, a second detector to detect radiation when performing at least one of radiography and tomography; and a movement apparatus arranged to displace the first and second detectors with respect to the source. The movement apparatus provides a first active configuration in which the radiation hits the first detector and a second active configuration in which the radiation hits the second detector.

Abstract: A system for performing robotic surgery on a patient disposed on a bed includes a gantry comprising a computed tomography (CT) diagnostic device, a platform supporting the gantry, and a robotic arm assembly attached to the platform. The gantry slides along the platform via a first carriage to allow entry of at least part of the patient into the bore of the CT device. The robotic arm assembly is attached to the platform via a pivot arm and a second carriage to allow the assembly to slide along the platform to enable surgery to be performed on the patient. The pivot arm is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: A radiological filter includes a first working surface and a second working surface. The second working surface is placed opposite the first working surface to enable an x-ray beam to pass through the filter via the first and second working surfaces. The first working surface comprises first and second sectors, the first sector defining a first portion, which is substantially flat, and the second sector defining a second portion, which is substantially curved and complementary to the first portion.

Abstract: A diagnostic support suitable to be attached to a patient includes a band suitable to be wrapped around and tightened onto a portion of the patient corresponding to an area of interest of the patient and an air space incorporated in the band and suitable to expand so that, when the band is tightened onto the portion of the patient, the air space compresses and stiffens the portion of the patient.

Abstract: A device for performing a radiological examination on a patient having a part of the body examined includes a housing with an openable containment portion and an examination portion. The containment portion and the examination portion together substantially enclose the patient. The examination portion is substantially transparent to X-rays and is configured to contain the part of the body to be examined.

Abstract: A diagnostic support for a skin includes a radio-transparent structure that defines a folding surface of the skin and on which the skin may be stretched and consequently folded, thereby defining folded, mutually superimposed portions spaced apart from each other. The support may be used for radiographic inspection of a folded animal skin.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device includes a gantry defining an analysis area configured to contain at least a portion of a patient to be analyzed and a circular extension trajectory extending around a central axis. The gantry includes a source configured to emit radiation, a detector configured to receive the radiation after the radiation has passed through the analysis area, and a casing defining a housing volume for at least the source and the detector. The casing includes a bottom arched module, an arched module mobile with respect to the bottom arched module, and a movement apparatus. The mobile arched module is housed in the bottom arched module and configured to vary the angular extension of the casing and of the housing volume keeping the source and the detector in the housing volume. The movement apparatus, outside the housing volume, is configured to move the arched modules. The radiological imaging device performs at least two of tomography, fluoroscopy, and X-ray.

Abstract: A radiological imaging system includes a gantry that defines an analysis zone, a source housed within the gantry, and a detector housed within the gantry. A part of a patient is placed in the analysis zone. The source emits radiation that passes through the part of the patient; the detector receives the radiation. The system is configured to receive the patient alternatively in at least two of the following arrangements: having a stationary bed and a translatable gantry, having a bed with a table top that translates through the analysis zone along a main direction, and accepting the patient in a seating or reclining apparatus.

Abstract: A method for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure on a patient is disclosed. The method includes receiving an intra-operative CT scan image, generating a three-dimensional isotropic scaffold based on the intra-operative CT scan image, fusing one or more images with the three-dimensional isotropic scaffold to form a three-dimensional model of a portion of the body of the patient, receiving information regarding the surgical procedure, determining obstacles in the path of the surgical procedure, and determining possible trajectories for the surgical procedure. The received information includes information regarding a surgical target to be operated upon, a region of access on the skin of the patient, and a surgical instrument to be used during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device that includes a source that emits radiation that passes through at least part of a patient, the radiation defining, a central axis of propagation; and a receiving device that receives the radiation and is arranged on the opposite side of the patient with respect to the source. The receiving device includes a first detector to detect radiation when performing at least one of tomography and fluoroscopy, a second detector to detect radiation when performing at least one of radiography and tomography; and a movement apparatus arranged to displace the first and second detectors with respect to the source. The movement apparatus provides a first active configuration in which the radiation hits the first detector and a second active configuration in which the radiation hits the second detector.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device includes a gantry configured to perform radiological imaging and defining an area of analysis, a bearing structure supporting the gantry, and a robotic arm configured to move a medical instrument with respect to the area of analysis. The bearing structure includes a guide defining a translation axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, a first carriage connected to the gantry, and a second carriage connected to said robotic arm, the first and second carriages moving independently of each other, said gantry and said robotic arm configured to move along said translation axis.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device includes a gantry defining an analysis zone in which at least a part of a patient is placed, a source that emits radiation that passes through the part of the patient, a detector that receives the radiation when performing at least one of tomography, fluoroscopy, radiography, and multimodality and generates data signals based on the radiation received, and a fluid-fed cooling system adapted to provide cooling for components that generate heat within the gantry.

Abstract: A diagnostic support for a skin includes a radio-transparent structure that defines a folding surface of the skin and on which the skin may be stretched and consequently folded, thereby defining folded, mutually superimposed portions spaced apart from each other. The support may be used for radiographic inspection of a folded animal skin.

Abstract: A method for determining access to a patient for performing a surgical procedure in an internal location in the patient's body is disclosed. The method includes forming a three-dimensional model of a portion of the patient's body based on a set of medical images, calculating at least one path for a surgeon to follow to perform the surgical procedure, and determining one or more access zones that the surgeon may use to enter the body. Methods for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure and performing the surgical procedure are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a bed extending along a main direction, a robotic arm disposed adjacent to the bed, and a surgical guide attached to the robotic arm. The bed has a table top to support a patient, the robotic arm is controllable to move in relation to the body of the patient; and the surgical guide is capable of holding a surgical instrument and measuring a translation of the surgical instrument as it moves through the surgical guide. The robotic arm is configured to position the surgical guide to a desired position in relation to a target area of the patient.

Abstract: A method and device for acquiring a radiological image of at least part of a patient placed in a gantry. The method includes emitting radiation from a source that passes through the at least part of the patient and receiving the radiation at a detector. In one embodiment the detector may include a single flat panel sensor having a radiation sensitive surface and operable in at least a flat panel mode and a linear sensor mode. The method also rotating the source and the detector around at least a part of the patient and moving the detector along guides of a panel motion system along an axis perpendicular to the central axis of propagation. Also, the method includes translating the source and the detector in a direction of movement substantially perpendicular to the central axis of propagation.

Abstract: A radiological imaging device having a longitudinal axis includes a gantry suitable to perform radiological imaging and defining an area of analysis, a bearing structure supporting the gantry; and a robotic arm suitable to move a medical instrument with respect to the area of analysis. The bearing structure includes a guide defining a translation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and a carriage suitable to move the gantry and robotic arm along the translation axis.

Abstract: A supporting device for performing radiological examinations on a patient having a part of the body examined includes perimeter side members, an openable containment portion, and an examination portion. The perimeter side members are configured to contain the patient along a closed perimeter and at least in a horizontal plane and substantially in contact, when in use, on a plurality of sides of the perimeter with the patient. The openable containment portion is formed by most of the perimeter side members. The examination portion is formed by the remainder of the perimeter side members, is substantially transparent to X-rays, and is configured to contain the part of the body to be examined.