Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for use with a vehicle, comprising a lift mechanism between a base and a support frame to move between an extended configuration defining a first distance and a retracted configuration defining a second distance. An interface generates a user signal. A sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to force acting on the base relative to the support frame. A controller determines if the user signal corresponds to an extend or retract command; determines if the force acting on the base has exceeded a predetermined threshold value based on the sensor signal; drives the lift mechanism toward the extended configuration where the user signal corresponds to the extend command and toward the retracted configuration where the user signal corresponds to the retract command; and interrupts driving the lift mechanism to stop motion of the lift mechanism in response to the sensor signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for performing three-dimensional measurements of a surgical space using two-dimensional endoscopic images. According to an aspect, video data taken from an endoscopic imaging device can be used to generate a three-dimensional model of the surgical space represented by the video data. In one or more examples, two-dimensional images from the video data can be used to generate a three-dimensional model of the surgical space. In one or more examples, the one or more two-dimensional images of the surgical space can include a fiducial marker as part of the image. Using both the depth information and a size reference provided by the fiducial marker, the systems and methods herein can generate a three-dimensional model of the surgical space. The generated three-dimensional model can then be used to perform a variety of three-dimensional measurements in a surgical cavity in an accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface arranged for selective user engagement by a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine that the patient transport apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface, monitor the user interface for changes in user engagement by a user, and operate the drive system to decelerate the drive member to one of a plurality of positions based on the changes in user engagement.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for radiofrequency ablation. An electrosurgical console includes a processor configured to determine impedance threshold values based on an initial tissue impedance value. The impedance threshold values may vary based on an elapsed time-based characteristic. A temperature set point is reduced based on the occurrence of the impedance event in which a tissue impedance value exceeds a threshold value. The reduced temperature set point may be fixed. The controller is configured to control the delivery of the RF energy drive the tissue temperature to the temperature set point(s). The temperature set point may not be reduced if the impedance event occurs during a ramp period, and an alert may be displayed. Secondary impedance threshold values may be utilized, and slower ramp periods may be provided for later in the ablation procedure. Methods of performing the ablation procedure with the electrosurgical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a sensor that provides a displacement signal over a first time interval corresponding to a cutting process. The surgical instrument includes a controller to receive the displacement signal and a memory device. The controller determines a preceding velocity-related signal from the displacement signal over a second time interval being a portion of the first time interval. The controller also determines a first acceleration-related signal over a third time interval based on the displacement signal. The third time interval occurs after the second time interval. The controller further determines a preceding velocity factored acceleration-related signal for the third time interval based on the first acceleration-related signal and the preceding velocity-related signal. The controller also determines a breakthrough time of a cutting tool through a cortical wall of a bone based on the preceding velocity factored acceleration-related signal.

Abstract: A surgical tool system is provided. The surgical tool system includes a tool unit including an energy applicator that is actuated by a power generating unit. The surgical tool system also includes a battery and control module including a module housing shaped to receive the tool unit and having a bore that establishes a channel through the module housing, wherein when the tool unit is received by the module housing, the channel extends to the cannulated rotor.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery is provided. The system including a battery, a sterile barrier for encasing the battery, a charging device including a charging bay, and a charging controller. The battery includes a battery controller. The charging bay includes a first antenna for establishing communication with a battery controller of the battery encased in the sterile barrier in response to the battery being within a proximity of the charging bay and a second antenna for providing charging power to the battery encased in the sterile barrier. The charging controller detects whether the first antenna has established communication with the battery in response to the battery being within the proximity of the charging bay and provides charging power to the battery via the second antenna in response to detecting that the first antenna has established communication with the battery.

Abstract: A system is provided that comprises a patient support apparatus and a unit being independent from the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus comprises a support structure having a base and a patient support surface for a patient. The patient support apparatus also comprises an electrical distribution system, one or more electrical devices, and an energy storage device (ESD) configured to store energy to power the one or more electrical devices through the electrical distribution system. The unit is configured to autonomously interact with the patient support apparatus to remove the ESD from the patient support apparatus and/or to place a replacement ESD on to the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for patients. The patient transport apparatus comprises a litter including a front assembly. The patient transport apparatus further comprises a footrest assembly operatively attached to the front assembly. The footrest assembly includes a footrest deck section and a linkage assembly operatively attached to and extending between the front portion of the front assembly and the footrest assembly to guide movement of the footrest assembly relative to the front assembly between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically determining correspondences between communication ports of a networked device and encoders and decoders connected to those communication ports. In some embodiments, the networked device and the encoders and decoders are connected to a video communications network provided by a switch. The networked device can query the video communications network for information related to the encoders and decoders to determine and save the port-to-device correspondences. In some embodiments, the networked device can extract device information from video signals received at its input ports to map the input ports to respectively connected decoders. In similar fashion, the networked device may transmit or embed port-specific information from its output ports to respectively connected encoders. Then, the networked device can query the video communications network for the port-specific information received at the encoders to map the output ports to respectively connected encoders.

Abstract: Fluid management systems are disclosed that include software-controlled, electro-mechanical devices used in combination with single-use or multi-use tubing sets. Functions of the fluid management systems can include fluid pressurization, fluid warming, fluid deficit monitoring (including flow-based and weight-based), suction, fluid collection, and fluid evacuation (including indirect-to-drain and direct-to-drain options). The systems can be configured based on the surgical environment (e.g., operating room or physician office) as well as other user needs and/or preferences.

Abstract: A system includes a surgical table, a pad disposed on a table portion of the surgical table, and a leg distraction unit configured for modular attachment to the surgical table, the leg distraction unit configured to apply a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is positioned on the pad and the table portion is tilted so that the patient's head is below the patient's hip, wherein the table portion is capable of tilting to a tilt angle in which the distraction force applied to the leg of the patient is counteracted by a combination of a friction force provided by the pad and a force of gravity from the patient being tilted so that the patient is kept from sliding in a direction of the distraction force.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for dynamically updating and rendering graphical user interfaces at a surgical hub device that is configured to simultaneously coordinate the operation of multiple medical devices connected to the hub. According to an aspect, when a device is connected to the hub, the device can send identifying information to the hub so that the hub can ascertain the identity of the device. Based on the identification data, the hub can access an internal graphical user interface (GUI) database to determine if there are any entries in the database that correspond to the device that is now connected to the hub. If it is determined that the internal GUI database of the hub contains one or more GUIs associated with the device, then the GUI database can transmit the corresponding to GUIs to the electronic display for rendering at the appropriate times.

Abstract: A system for loading a patient transport apparatus into a vehicle is described. The system includes a loading and unloading system including a track and a trolley supporting a receiver movable between locked and unlocked configurations. The system also includes a patient transport apparatus for attachment to the loading and unloading system including a base, a litter, and a lift mechanism to facilitate arranging the litter at different heights relative to the base with an actuator movable between fully-retracted and fully-extended configurations, a coupler for engaging the receiver to secure the patient transport apparatus, first and second sensors configured to output a first signal and second signal and a controller to determine a target lift configuration during unloading from the emergency based on first and second values and to drive the actuator to the target lift configuration to limit relative movement between the patient transport apparatus and the trolley.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, recliner, cot, stretcher, operating table, or the like, includes battery-powered circuitry whose functions are reduced, but not eliminated, as the battery charge level falls below a threshold. Electrical power may be cut off to one or more components of the battery-powered circuitry while still providing battery-supplied electrical power to the other components of the circuitry. A user interface provides battery status data, including a replacement status of a rechargeable battery, and allows a user to select different formats for displaying battery status data. Such formats include displays of battery charge level information not only in manners specific to the battery, but also in manners relative to the patient support apparatus, such as displays of how many, or how much of, one or more functions the patient support apparatus is able to perform based on the battery's current charge level.

Abstract: Fluid management systems are disclosed that include software-controlled, electro-mechanical devices used in combination with single-use or multi-use tubing sets. Functions of the fluid management systems can include fluid pressurization, fluid warming, fluid deficit monitoring (including flow-based and weight-based), suction, fluid collection, and fluid evacuation (including indirect-to-drain and direct-to-drain options). The systems can be configured based on the surgical environment (e.g., operating room or physician office) as well as other user needs and/or preferences.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: A method of securing a pediatric patient to a patient transport apparatus includes providing an adult harness, coupling the adult harness to the patient support and the frame, providing a pediatric restraint assembly, and coupling the pediatric restraint assembly to the adult harness wherein the pediatric restraint assembly moves with the adult harness.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a base, a litter comprising a support surface, and a lift mechanism to facilitate arranging the litter at different heights relative to the base between a plurality of lift configurations including a fully-retracted configuration and a fully-extended configuration. The lift mechanism includes an actuator including a cylinder, fluid reservoir, and a pump driven by a motor to direct hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the cylinder. A sensor outputs a signal indicative of a magnitude of pressure in the cylinder. A user interface with an input control is provided. A controller determines a target parameter for the motor and, in response to user engagement with the input control, drives the motor at the target parameter to effect movement of the litter relative to the base at a predetermined rate irrespective of a weight of a patient supported on the litter.