Abstract: A macerating and aspiration tool for removing blood masses from the brain.

Abstract: An anchoring system for cannulas or tools to be inserted into a surgical workspace in the body, particularly the brain, of a patient. The system comprises a grommet which may be fixed to the skull to both secure the system to the skull and protect the skull opening from passage of cannulas and tools, a resilient clip with grasping jaws adapted to firmly grasp a cannula or tool, and a flexible membrane secured to the outer rim of the grommet and the clip.

Abstract: Devices for localizing an intracerebral hematoma or blood mass in brain tissue. The devices include an elongate probe a color sensors and a light emitter on the distal end of the probe. The color sensors produce a signal corresponding to the color of light reflected into the color sensors. A display is provided to indicate the color detected.

Abstract: A macerating and aspiration tool for removing blood masses from the brain.

Abstract: A system for fluorescence guided surgery which includes alternatingly obtaining white light images and blue light images and simultaneously displaying those images on a display screen, such that a surgeon is presented with immediate, real-time video which shows the target tissue under white light and fluorescing tissue under blue light on the same screen, at the same time. The images may be presented side-by-side, or superimposed.

Abstract: A cannula system and method for accessing a blood mass in the brain. The system comprises a cannula with a camera mounted on the proximal end of the cannula with a view into the cannula lumen and the surgical field below the lumen, an obturator with a small diameter shaft and a large diameter tip which is optically transmissive. The obturator tip includes a ring seal to prevent blood from entering the cannula lumen during insertion into a bloody surgical site.

Abstract: A cannula with a proximally mounted camera and proximally mounted light sources. The lighting sources have beam axes directed distally, toward a workspace at the distal end of the cannula. The light sources are coupled with focusing lenses, to reduce the beam angle of the lighting sources and reduce glare within the cannula tube.

Abstract: Devices for localizing an intracerebral hematoma or blood mass in brain tissue. The devices include an elongate probe a color sensors and a light emitter on the distal end of the probe. The color sensors produce a signal corresponding to the color of light reflected into the color sensors. A display is provided to indicate the color detected.

Abstract: A method of accessing a target site within the brain of a patient, through the skull of the patient, with an expandable cannula.

Abstract: A cannula and obturator system with an obturator having a narrow shaft and a larger distal tip, which is transmissive to visible light (transparent or translucent). The obturator tip has a pointed, acutely conical distal tip, and includes an optically opaque component, such as a rod, disposed along the central axis of the obturator tip, which serves to prevent image reversal.

Abstract: A camera and expandable bladed retractor system. The system includes a camera, with a distal-most optical element disposed over the proximal end of the lumen or surgical channel established by the retractor blades. The camera may be fixed to the retractor, either to the proximal end of a blade or to a frame member.

Abstract: A cannula suitable for use in minimally invasive surgery is improved with a highly polished and very smooth luminal wall and/or LED's or other light sources focused at particular angles relative to the axis of the cannula. The devices provide for improved lighting and/or reduced lighting requirements for cannulas used for minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: A method of accessing a target site within the brain of a patient, through the skull of the patient, with an expandable cannula.

Abstract: A cannula system and method for accessing a blood mass in the brain. The system comprises a cannula with a camera mounted on the proximal end of the cannula with a view into the cannula lumen and the surgical field below the lumen. A prism, reflector or other suitable optical element is oriented between the camera and the lumen of the cannula to afford the camera a view into the cannula while minimizing obstruction of the lumen. The system may also include an obturator with a small diameter shaft and a large diameter tip which is optically transmissive, so that a surgeon inserting or manipulating the assembly can easily see that the obturator tip is near brain tissue (which is white) or blood (which is red).

Abstract: A cannula system with a proximally mounted camera assembly, sensors or sensor pair component(s), radially fixed to the camera assembly and an image control system operable to rotate image data obtained from the camera for display on a display screen, to maintain an image in an orientation preferred by a surgeon even as the camera assembly is rotated radially about the axis of the cannula.

Abstract: A camera and expandable bladed retractor system. The system includes a camera, with a distal-most optical element disposed over the proximal end of the lumen or surgical channel established by the retractor blades. The camera may be fixed to the retractor, either to the proximal end of a blade or to a frame member.

Abstract: A tool for treating hematoma in the brain, and other tissue in the body, especially suited for use through a cannula. The tool may include a cautery probe for sealing blood vessels in the brain, and a macerating structure for disrupting a hematoma, and aspiration features for removing macerated hematoma debris from the body.

Abstract: A cannula system and method for accessing a blood mass in the brain. The system comprises a cannula with a camera mounted on the proximal end of the cannula with a view into the cannula lumen and the surgical field below the lumen. A prism, reflector or other suitable optical element is oriented between the camera and the lumen of the cannula to afford the camera a view into the cannula while minimizing obstruction of the lumen. The system may also include an obturator with a small diameter shaft and a large diameter tip which is optically transmissive, so that a surgeon inserting or manipulating the assembly can easily see that the obturator tip is near brain tissue (which is white) or blood (which is red).

Abstract: A camera and expandable bladed retractor system. The system includes a camera, with a distal-most optical element disposed over the proximal end of the lumen or surgical channel established by the retractor blades. The camera may be fixed to the retractor, either to the proximal end of a blade or to a frame member.

Abstract: A cannula system and method for accessing a blood mass in the brain. The system comprises a cannula with a camera mounted on the proximal end of the cannula with a view into the cannula lumen and the surgical field below the lumen. A prism, reflector or other suitable optical element is oriented between the camera and the lumen of the cannula to afford the camera a view into the cannula while minimizing obstruction of the lumen.