Abstract: Adaptive imaging methods and systems for generating enhanced low light video of an object for medical visualization are disclosed and include acquiring, with an image acquisition assembly, a sequence of reference frames and/or a sequence of low light video frames depicting the object, assessing relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object based on at least a portion of the acquired sequence of reference video frames or the acquired sequence of low light video frames, adjusting a level of image processing of the low light video frames based at least in part on the relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object, and generating a characteristic low light video output from a quantity of the low light video frames, wherein the quantity of the low light video frames is based on the adjusted level of image processing of the low light video frames.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongate member having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than 0.00085 inch, wherein the elongate member is made from a material comprising a platinum-tungsten alloy having a percentage of tungsten that is at least 10% by weight or alternatively the implantable medical device includes an elongate member made from a material comprising an alloy containing rhenium.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product, a device, and a surgical navigation system for determining a marker arrangement that defines positions of markers of a tracker are provided. The markers are detectable by a first imaging modality and a second imaging modality that is different from the first imaging modality. The method comprises receiving first image data of the markers that were captured using the first imaging modality and receiving second image data of the markers that were captured using the second imaging modality. The method further comprises determining the marker arrangement based on the first and second image data.

Abstract: Provided is a method for converting a modular anatomic shoulder implant to a modular reverse shoulder implant, wherein the modular anatomic shoulder implant and the modular reverse shoulder implant have novel configurations.

Abstract: An aspiration system comprises an aspiration catheter, an aspiration source fluidly coupled to the aspiration catheter to create an aspiration flow path between the aspiration catheter and the aspiration source, a pressurized fluid source, and a passive pressure oscillation assembly fluidly coupled between the pressurized fluid source and the aspiration flow path. The passive pressure oscillation assembly is configured for being operated between a normal mode that prevents fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the aspiration flow path, and an oscillatory mode that pulses fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the aspiration flow path. The passive pressure oscillation assembly is configured for being triggered to switch from the normal mode to the oscillatory mode in response to a clog in the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: An external fixation system may include first and second fixation rings and a plurality of adjustable length struts. Each adjustable length strut may have two joints, a rod, a tube, and an actuator configured to drive the rod axially relative to the tube to change an effective length of the strut. The system may include a plurality of controller modules each configured to couple to a corresponding strut. The external fixation system may have a manual mode of operation in which the controller modules are not coupled to the struts, and manual actuation the actuators changes the effective lengths of the struts in discrete length increments. The external fixation may have an automated mode of operation in which the controller modules are coupled to the struts, and automated actuation of the actuators changes the effective lengths of the struts in infinitesimally small length increments.

Abstract: A fixation device for fixing a first part of a surgical instrument to a second part of the surgical instrument. The fixation device has a longitudinal axis and includes a fixation body configured to accommodate a portion of the first instrument part and a portion of the second instrument part therein. A first fastening member and at least one movable first clamping member are configured to clampingly engage at least the first instrument part so as to fix at least the first instrument part to the fixation device. A first actuation member is configured to receive at least a portion of the fixation body. The first actuation member includes a second fastening member configured to engage with the first fastening member. The first actuation member is configured to exert a clamping force on the first clamping member when the second fastening member is in engagement with the first fastening member.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for pre-operatively planned shoulder surgery guides and implants. Pre-operative planning methods for designing glenoid placement guides and depth-control pins based on considerations of multiple factors affecting the outcome of shoulder surgery. Methods of using surgery guides and implants, including glenoid placement guides and depth-control pins, in patients undergoing shoulder surgery.

Abstract: An intravascular device comprises an elongated outer catheter body having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end, and an inner catheter lumen extending between the proximal catheter end and the distal catheter end. The intravascular device further comprises an elongated inner articulating member slidably disposed within the inner catheter lumen. The inner articulating member has a proximal member end and an articulatable distal member end. The intravascular device further comprises a control assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal catheter end and the proximal member end. The control assembly is configured for distally translating the outer catheter body over the inner articulating member, and for articulating the distal member end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing tissue of a subject are disclosed. The method includes retrieving a time series of angiography images of tissue of a subject, defining a plurality of calculation regions, generating a time-intensity curve for each respective calculation region, calculating a rank value for each respective calculation region based on one or more parameters derived from the time-intensity curve; and generating a viewable image in which on the image position of each calculation region an indication is provided of the calculated rank value for that calculation region. Also disclosed are methods and systems for generating first and second time-intensity curves for respective first and second calculation regions, calculating first and second rank values for the respective calculation regions based on first and second pluralities of parameters selected to approximate the respective time-intensity curves, and generating a spatial map of the first and second calculated rank values.

Abstract: A technique for determining a need for a re-registration of an optical patient tracker with medical image data of a patient is presented. A camera system is configured to generate camera image data for tracking the tracker. The camera system comprises an acceleration sensor configured to generate inertial data indicative of an acceleration of the camera system.

Abstract: A technique for determining a need for a re-registration of a patient tracker with medical image data of a patient is presented. The patient tracker comprises an acceleration sensor configured to generate inertial data indicative of an acceleration of the patient tracker. A method implementation of the technique comprises the following steps performed by a processor: receiving inertial data acquired by the acceleration sensor, analyzing the received inertial data, or data derived therefrom, with respect to at least one first predetermined condition indicative of a drift of the tracker or an impact on the tracker, and generating, when the at least one first predetermined condition is fulfilled, at least a first re-registration signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating assessment of blood flow in a tissue volume of a subject are disclosed. In some variations, the method may include: after a predetermined amount of a fluorescence agent has been administered to the subject, exciting the fluorescence agent in the tissue volume such that the excited fluorescence agent emits fluorescent light, acquiring fluorescence data based on the fluorescent light emitted during blood flow through the tissue volume, estimating a molar concentration of the fluorescence agent in the blood flowing through the tissue volume, and generating an assessment of blood flow in the tissue volume based at least in part on the fluorescence data and the estimated molar concentration of the fluorescence agent. The estimated molar concentration may be based on the predetermined amount of the fluorescence agent and an estimated circulating blood volume of the subject.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring a time-varying change in an amount of blood in a tissue include exciting a fluorescence agent in the blood, acquiring a time-varying light intensity signal during a pulsatile flow of the blood through the tissue volume, the pulsatile flow having a systolic and a diastolic phase resembling a conventional photoplethysmogram, and processing the acquired signal by applying a modified Beer-Lambert law to obtain the measurement of the time-varying change in the amount of blood in the tissue volume. The instantaneous molar concentration of the fluorescence agent is determined by utilizing a concentration-mediated change in a fluorescence emission spectrum of the fluorescence agent.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongate member having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than 0.00085 inch, wherein the elongate member is made from a material comprising a platinum-tungsten alloy having a percentage of tungsten that is at least 10% by weight or alternatively the implantable medical device includes an elongate member made from a material comprising an alloy containing rhenium.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a surgical instrument including an outer hub, an outer tube, a cutting implement, and a drive hub. A retention flange of the drive hub is arranged to retain the cutting shaft within the outer tube. The cutting assembly may include a seal, and the retention flange may contact the seal. An irrigation spacer may provide a stop of distal axial movement of the drive hub or permitting fluid to flow through irrigation passageways. The drive assembly may include an irrigation port and a suction port with a proximal end of the irrigation port may positioned axially distal to a proximal portion of the suction port. The irrigation port may be coupled to a handpiece, and the suction port may be coupled to a back cap. A handpiece may include a saddle region, recesses, and/or an apex region to facilitate ergonomic handling of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut for use in an external fixation system may include an outer tube, an inner tube within the outer tube, and a first adjustment knob. A plurality of texturized surfaces may extend in the length direction of the inner tube, each of the plurality of texturized surfaces of the inner tube being spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner tube. Each circumferentially adjacent pair of texturized surfaces of the inner tube is separated by a non-texturized surface. The first adjustment knob may also include texturized surfaces separated by non-texturized surfaces, and may be rotatable relative to the outer tube and the inner tube between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. In the locked condition, the texturized surfaces engage each other, to prevent translation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical arm is presented. The surgical arm comprises a first interface configured to receive a device for performing or assisting a surgical procedure and multiple adjustment members configured to adjust the surgical arm relative to a respective adjustment axis. The surgical arm further comprises at least two operating members configured to operate different ones of the adjustment members, wherein the operating members are marked with different visual codings. Further a method for providing visual guidance for operating the surgical arm according to a pre-determined surgical approach is presented.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The balloon catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having an inner lumen. A balloon member is secured to an outer surface of a distal portion of the catheter such that an inner surface of the balloon member and an outer surface of the catheter define an inflatable balloon interior. The catheter has an inflation lumen connected to an inflation port and extending distally to a distal end in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon interior. One or more purge apertures are provided in a wall of the catheter, each forming a fluid path between the inflatable balloon interior and the inner lumen of the catheter to allow for purging air from the catheter prior to use in a medical procedure.