Abstract: A tracker, a surgical tracking system, and a method for operating the tracker are provided. The tracker comprises an interface configured to attach the tracker to a surgical object that is to be tracked. The tracker further comprises circuitry comprising a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate a trigger signal upon detection of a change of intensity of electromagnetic radiation by the detector. The circuitry further comprises a plurality of emitters configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the circuitry is configured to control the plurality of emitters to emit electromagnetic radiation responsive to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A neurosurgery system for resecting tissue after administration of a contrast agent to a patient, the system including an electrosurgical instrument for manipulating tissue which generates a fluid sample from the tissue during ablation, an aspiration channel configured to obtain the fluid sample, an analyzer for analyzing the fluid sample, an indicator configured to provide an indication of the presence of a rare earth metal, and a controller configured to instruct the indicator to provide the indication of the presence of the rare earth metal. The analyzer includes a collector coupled to the aspiration channel and configured to receive a portion of the fluid sample from the aspiration channel, a heater configured to atomize the portion of the fluid sample, and a detector configured to measure an absorption of a wavelength corresponding to a rare earth metal.

Abstract: Packaging systems and surgical kits for a tool that has a cutting bur and a shaft. A casing includes a distal section defining a cavity to receive the cutting bur of the tool. A proximal section is coupled to the distal section and receives the shaft of the tool. The proximal section is detachable from the distal section. At least a portion of the distal section comprises a colored indicator to provide a visual indication of a location of the cutting bur of the tool. Instructions are provided on the proximal section and the instructions illustrate one or more steps for installing the tool to a surgical device.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece system (10) includes a high-speed surgical bur assembly (102) and a surgical handpiece assembly (104). The high-speed surgical bur assembly has a nose tube (17, 106) and a driveshaft (24, 110) at least partially disposed within the nose tube. A cutting tool (18, 114) is coupled to a distal region of the driveshaft. The cutting tool and the driveshaft are configured to rotate relative to the nose tube. The surgical handpiece system comprises a hub (14, 146) and a rotatable drive chuck (30, 34, 172) for alignment and coupling to the nose tube and the driveshaft. A motor (12) is configured to rotate the rotatable drive chuck, the driveshaft, and the cutting tool when the driveshaft is coupled to the rotatable drive chuck.

Abstract: A delivery system for deploying a medical implant includes an elongate delivery wire assembly slidably disposed within a delivery catheter lumen, the delivery wire assembly having an implant loading region configured for seating the implant when the delivery wire assembly is constrained within the delivery catheter lumen and the implant is in a compressed delivery configuration, the delivery wire assembly further including an implant distal protection feature having a central portion coupled to the delivery wire assembly distal of the implant loading region, and a peripheral portion extending proximally from the central portion to at least partially cover a distal end portion of the implant when the delivery wire assembly, implant and implant distal protection feature are constrained within the delivery catheter lumen, wherein the peripheral portion remains extending in the proximal direction when the implant assumes an expanded configuration after being released from the delivery catheter lumen.

Abstract: A tracker for a surgical navigation system and a method for manufacturing the tracker are presented. The tracker comprises a layer stack that comprises a substrate with at least one reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation. The layer stack further comprises a printed absorbent layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation, wherein the printed absorbent layer covers less than the entire reflective surface.

Abstract: A method of assembling an apparatus for delivering an implant to a deployment site in a patient's vasculature, includes: positioning an implant engagement member at least partially within a lumen of a tubular structure, the tubular structure having a sidewall comprising a pattern of wires or struts; heating the implant engagement member; pressing at least a portion of the sidewall of the tubular structure radially inward into a surface of the implant engagement member so that the wires or the struts of the sidewall penetrate into the surface and create corresponding recesses therein; and after the recesses are created in the surface of the implant engagement member, hardening the implant engagement member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a vertebral body. An intravertebral implant includes an anterior end element and a plate comprising a planar bearing surface. The plate may be exactly two plates movable in only a cranio-caudal expansion plane. A pedicle fixation is coupled to the intravertebral implant and includes a hollow sleeve. The pedicle fixation is configured to be secured to the pedicle to control an insertion depth of the intravertebral implant within the vertebral body. A central traction member is movably disposed within the hollow sleeve of the pedicle fixation to deploy the planar bearing surface(s). The central traction member may be rotatable within the hollow sleeve. An expansion instrument may move the central traction member relative to the pedicle fixation. The intravertebral implant may be locked relative to the pedicle fixation in six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue of a patient's anatomy at a target site. A localizer generates location data associated with the anatomy. A display unit overlays visual content on the anatomy within a field of view observable by a user. A visualization program on a computing device generates a virtual reference frame, identifies viable and non-viable approaches for fixation elements to engage tissue and secure a stabilizer relative to the target site based on patient-specific imaging data, arranges a virtual viability model within the virtual reference frame based on the location data and comprising viable portions associated with viable approaches and non-viable portions associated with non-viable approaches, and renders the virtual viability model in the visual content displayed by the display unit overlaid onto the anatomy within the field of view to assist the user in visualizing at least one of viable approaches and non-viable approaches.

Abstract: Packaging systems, surgical kits and methods are disclosed for a tool including a working portion and a shank. The packaging system includes a casing with a distal section defining a cavity configured to receive the working portion, and a proximal section removably coupled to the distal section and being configured to receive the shank of the tool. A sleeve is retained by the distal section and is disposed within the cavity of the distal section. The sleeve defines a lumen adapted to receive the working portion. The sleeve is configured to rotate within the distal section to facilitate rotational installation of the tool relative to a surgical device.

Abstract: A steerable system and methods for accessing bone. A control mechanism includes a handle configured to be detachably secured to a trocar. The handle includes a drive shaft coupled to a sliding shaft such that relative rotation is prevented and relative translation is permitted. A rod having a preformed bend is removably disposed within the cannula. The rod is prevented from rotating relative to the drive shaft such that a deflection plane of the preformed bend is predefined relative to each of the sliding shaft, the handle, and the trocar when the handle is coupled to the trocar. Rotating a sliding ring of the handle translates the drive shaft to advance the rod beyond the trocar such that the preformed bend extends laterally out of the trocar in the deflection plane. The rod may be removed from the cannula, and material may be injected through the cannula.

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: An optical system includes a first relay rod of a first material, a second relay rod of a second material, different from the first material, and a lens between the first and second relay rods.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical navigation system with the tracker, and a method of operating the tracker are described. The tracker comprises a first switch configured to be operated between a first switch configuration and a second switch configuration. The tracker also comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic. The tracker further comprises electrical circuitry configured to selectively control the one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation having the first radiation characteristic in the first switch configuration and to emit electromagnetic radiation having the second radiation characteristic in the second switch configuration, wherein the second radiation characteristic is different from the first radiation characteristic.

Abstract: A handswitch (50) for a powered surgical handpiece (54) comprises a mounting base (62), a lever (70), a spring, a run-safe switch (68) and a lever extension. The mounting base defines a pivot axis. The elongated lever defines a lever axis substantially normal to a direction of the pivot axis. The lever includes a proximal end pivotably connected to the mounting base at the pivot axis and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The first track is on an inner side of the lever. The second track is on an outer side of the lever opposite the inner side, with both tracks substantially parallel to the lever axis. The spring is between the base and the lever and biases the lever about the pivot axis. The run-safe switch is slidably disposed on the first track. The lever extension is slidably disposed on the second track.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying a stent within the frontal sinus. The stent includes flexible foam and film layers arranged in a stacked configuration and furled within a cartridge prior to deployment. The cartridge is removably coupled to an applicator device including an actuator. The film layer may include a polymer having a resilience sufficient to unfurl the stent and maintain patency of the frontal sinus opening. The flexible foam layer may have porosity of greater than 80%, and an active agent may be within the flexible foam layer. The flexible foam layer may be bioresorbable and the flexible film layer biocompatible and non-biodegradable. The stent may include first and second body portions with the first body portion independently unfurling from the second body portion to retain the stent within the frontal sinus. Contouring of the first and second body portions may facilitate ease with removal of the stent.

Abstract: Methods of deploying an intravertebral implant having an expandable anterior part, a posterior part coupled to the expandable anterior part, and a pedicle fixation element. The expandable anterior part is positioned within the vertebral body, and the posterior part may be positioned within the vertebral body. The pedicle fixation element is anchored to the vertebral body. The expandable anterior part is moved relative to the pedicle fixation element, for example, in two degrees of freedom. Movement in a first of the two degrees of freedom is independent from movement in a second of the two degrees of freedom. The expandable anterior part may be translated without being rotated along a main axis of the pedicle fixation element. Filling material may be injected through the posterior part. Rotational movements of the expandable anterior part relative to the pedicle fixation element may be locked.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue of a patient's anatomy at a target site. A localizer generates location data associated with the anatomy. A display unit overlays visual content on the anatomy within a field of view observable by a user. A visualization program on a computing device generates a virtual reference frame, identifies viable and non-viable approaches for fixation elements to engage tissue and secure a stabilizer relative to the target site based on patient-specific imaging data, arranges a virtual viability model within the virtual reference frame based on the location data and comprising viable portions associated with viable approaches and non-viable portions associated with non-viable approaches, and renders the virtual viability model in the visual content displayed by the display unit overlaid onto the anatomy within the field of view to assist the user in visualizing at least one of viable approaches and non-viable approaches.

Abstract: A method of guiding a surgical instrument during sinus surgery on a patient including receiving pre-operative patient data marked with a plurality of points defining a drainage pathway and determining a position of the surgical instrument relative to the planned drainage pathway. The method may further comprise generating an augmented reality image including a first visualization element representing the drainage pathway and a second visualization element comprising a plurality of circles spaced along the planned drainage pathway, and displaying the augmented reality image to help guide the surgical instrument. The method may also comprise generating an augmented reality image including a first visualization element representing the drainage pathway and a second visualization element representing the determined position of the surgical instrument relative to the drainage pathway.