Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument assembly including an irrigation sleeve assembly defining a lumen and an ultrasonic tip at least partially disposed within the lumen of the irrigation sleeve. The irrigation sleeve assembly may comprise a hub and an irrigation sleeve coupled to the hub. The irrigation sleeve may comprise an inner sheath and an outer sheath, both extending distally from the hub. The outer sheath may surround at least a portion of the inner sheath to define an irrigation passageway between the outer sheath and the inner sheath configured to deliver irrigation fluid to the surgical site. The distal end of the inner sheath may extend beyond the distal end of the outer sheath. Each of the inner and the outer sheath may be coupled to the hub by an annular sealing member configured to create fluid-tight seal between the hub and the respective inner and outer sheath.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member each having a respective lumen. The inner member is at least partially disposed in the outer member lumen such that an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member together define an annular inflation lumen. The outer member has micropores or micro-holes configured such that when a contrast agent is injected into the inflation lumen, the micropores or micro-holes allow air to pass therethrough and thereafter become clogged by the contrast agent. The catheter also has a balloon member having its ends secured to and circumferentially around the outer member such that an inner surface of the balloon member and the outer surface of the outer member define an inflatable balloon interior.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a radius of a spherically shaped surface portion of a tip of an instrument. A first pose of a first tracker and a second pose of a second tracker may be determined while the spherically shaped surface portion is in abutment with a calibration structure. A reference position of a first reference point relative to the second tracker may be determined when the first tracker is in the first pose and the second tracker is in the second pose based on the first pose, the second pose, and a first predetermined relationship. A third pose of the first tracker and a fourth pose of the second tracker may be determined. The radius of the spherically shaped surface portion may be determined based on the third pose, a second predetermined relationship, a reference position, the fourth pose, and an opening angle.

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 fluorescence imaging system for imaging an object, the system includes a white light provider that emits white light, an excitation light provider that emits excitation light in a plurality of excitation wavebands for causing the object to emit fluorescent light, a component that directs the white light and excitation light to the object and collects reflected white light and emitted fluorescent light from the object, a filter that blocks light in the excitation wavebands and transmits at least a portion of the reflected white light and fluorescent light, and an image sensor assembly that receives the transmitted reflected white light and the fluorescent light.

Abstract: A method to visualize, display, analyze and quantify angiography, perfusion, and the change in angiography and perfusion in real time, is provided. This method captures image data sequences from indocyanine green near infra-red fluorescence imaging used in a variety of surgical procedure applications, where angiography and perfusion are critical for intraoperative decisions.

Abstract: A method for performing an assessment related to blood flow in tissue includes receiving fluorescence imaging data associated with movement of a fluorescence imaging agent through a target, determining at least one characteristic associated with a current stage of the movement of the fluorescence imaging agent through the target based on the fluorescence imaging data, comparing the at least one characteristic associated with the current stage to predefined criteria to determine whether the current stage corresponds to a suitable stage for performing an assessment related to blood flow; and, in accordance with the current stage corresponding to the suitable stage, performing the assessment related to blood flow in at least a portion of the target based on the fluorescence imaging data.

Abstract: An optical tracker and a surgical device. The surgical device includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The shaft has a first shaft portion configured to be inserted into a patient, and a second shaft portion configured to be located outside the patient when the first shaft portion is inserted in the patient. The surgical device further includes an actuation member actuatable relative to the first shaft portion, and an operation member operable relative to the second shaft portion. The operation member is configured to actuate the actuation member when being operated. Further, the surgical device includes a tracker coupled with the operation member so that operation of the operation member causes the tracker to move relative to the shaft, such as to rotate around the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for guiding a surgeon to acquire one or more registration points on a body of a patient. The method includes matching a non-patient-specific virtual mask to image data of a patient, and obtaining a plurality of image surface points defining a skin surface in the image data. The method further comprises determining, based on the matched virtual mask, for at least one of the plurality of image surface points, a priority value indicative of a priority for acquiring a registration point at a position, relative to the patient's body, that corresponds to a position of the at least one image surface point relative to the skin surface defined in the image data. The method also includes triggering display of a visualization of the priority value, or of a visualization of information derived from the priority value.

Abstract: A method for fluorescence imaging includes receiving first fluorescence imaging data, receiving a user input selecting a reference region associated with the first fluorescence imaging data, determining a reference fluorescence intensity level based on the reference region, receiving second fluorescence imaging data, determining a relative fluorescence intensity level of a region associated with the second fluorescence imaging data that is relative to the reference fluorescence intensity level, and displaying an indication of the relative fluorescence intensity level.

Abstract: Closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems and methods are disclosed. The sensor mount systems include a sealed, closed cavity enclosing a sensor and forming a closed cavity sensor assembly. The closed cavity sensor assembly may be tilted and/or translated relative to a platform in order to adjust the orientation of the sensor to align it with an imaging optical axis. Following alignment, the closed cavity sensor assembly may be permanently or reversibly fixed in place. The closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems may be part of medical imaging systems such as endoscopic imaging systems and/or open field imaging systems.

Abstract: A surgical cutting tool for use with a handpiece having a motor is disclosed. The surgical cutting tool comprises a nose tube defining a lumen between proximal and distal ends. A bushing is coupled to the nose tube at the distal end and is disposed at least partially within the lumen. The bushing defines a second lumen configured to receive a region of a driveshaft that extends past the distal end of the nose tube. A bur defines a recess sized to receive at least a portion of the bushing within the recess. The bur is configured to be coupled to the driveshaft within the recess.

Abstract: An imaging device having an imaging field of view, the imaging device including at least one illumination port configured to output light for illuminating a target; an imaging sensor to detect light traveling along an optical path to the imaging sensor; and a first movable window positioned upstream of the sensor with respect to a direction of travel of light along the optical path, wherein the first movable window is configured to move into the optical path in a deployed position for modifying light received from the target.

Abstract: A technique of providing user guidance for surgical navigation is provided. A method implementation of the technique includes obtaining a predetermined spatial relationship between an optical tracking pattern and a through-hole extending through an implant, obtaining image data of the optical tracking pattern acquired by an imaging unit attached to a surgical instrument, obtaining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the imaging unit at a point in time when the image data have been acquired, determining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, obtaining a plurality of predefined spatial relationships between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, and triggering simultaneous display of an indication of the plurality of predefined spatial relationships and an indication of the spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole.

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: A tracking device for use in a surgical navigation system. The device includes an electromagnetic sensor configured to generate a sensor signal that depends on an external electromagnetic field. The device also includes at least one line element electrically connected to the sensor. The line element includes a first line section, a second line section, and a third line section arranged between the first and second line sections. A strain relieve unit includes a core, an outer surface, and at least one recess which extends in the outer surface circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the core. The first line section extends into the strain relieve unit on a first side of the strain relieve unit, the second line section extends into the strain relieve unit on a second side of the strain relieve unit opposite the first side, and the third line section extends within the recess.

Abstract: A field generator assembly for surgical navigation is provided. The field generator assembly comprises a field generator configured to generate an electromagnetic field, an attachment member configured to attach the field generator to a body of a patient, at least one first arm comprising a first portion configured to be in contact with a surface of the body of the patient when the field generator is attached to the body, and a second portion movably attached relative to the field generator, and at least one sensor configured to measure a spatial relationship between the at least one arm and the field generator. Also provided is a method of obtaining a relative pose between a surface of the body and a field generator.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a respective position of one or more markers in a 3D image coordinate system are provided. A plurality of image data sets taken from a 3D volume in which an object and one or more markers are disposed. The 3D volume comprises a central volume containing at least a portion of the object and further comprises a peripheral volume adjacent to the central volume and containing the one or more markers. The image data sets have been taken from at least one of different positions and different orientations relative to the object. A first subset comprises image data sets that each includes at least one dedicated marker of the one or more markers and a second subset comprises at least one image data set that does not include the at least one dedicated marker. The method further comprises determining, from the image data sets, a position of the at least one dedicated marker in a 3D image coordinate system of a 3D reconstruction of the central volume with the object portion.

Abstract: Closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems include a sealed, closed cavity enclosing a sensor and forming a closed cavity sensor assembly. The closed cavity sensor assembly may be tilted and/or translated relative to a platform in order to adjust the orientation of the sensor to align it with an imaging optical axis. Following alignment, the closed cavity sensor assembly may be permanently or reversibly fixed in place. The closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems may be part of medical imaging systems such as endoscopic imaging systems and/or open field imaging systems.

Abstract: A controller for a surgical navigation system is presented. The controller is configured to receive a position signal from a tracking system, wherein the position signal is indicative of a position of a hand-held surgical device that is tracked by the surgical navigation system inside an operation environment. The controller is further configured to receive sound signals from a plurality of microphones directed toward the operation environment, wherein the sound signals potentially contain one or more voice commands from one or more voice sources inside the operation environment. The controller is configured to process the sound signals dependent on the position signal.