Abstract: An ablation system comprises: an ablation catheter and a console. The ablation catheter comprises: a shaft including a proximal end, a distal portion and a distal end; an ablation element configured to deliver energy to tissue; and a force maintenance assembly comprising a force maintenance element and configured to control and/or assess contact force between the ablation element and cardiac tissue. The console is configured to operably attach to the ablation catheter and comprises: an energy delivery assembly configured to provide energy to the ablation element. Methods of ablating tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A probe tip assembly includes an optical fiber for channeling light energy and a straightening tube circumscribing at least a portion of the optical fiber. The straightening tube is moveable between a first position and a second position. The tip assembly also includes a guiding member circumscribing the optical fiber and the straightening tube. The guiding member includes a curvable portion configurable between a pre-formed curved state and a straightened state, wherein, as the straightening tube is retracted from the first position to the second position, the guiding member transitions from its straightened state to its pre-formed curved state. An external surface of the straightening tube contacts an internal surface of the guiding member when the straightening tube is in the first position and the guiding member is in the straightened state.

Abstract: A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Abstract: [Object] To effectively eliminate an effect of smoke that is generated by cauterization of a tissue. [Solving Means] Provided is a control apparatus including a control unit configured to control smoke removal processing on an image of a living body taken during surgery and actual smoke evacuation of smoke in the living body, in which the control unit allows execution of at least the smoke removal processing on the basis of a fact that the smoke has been detected. Also provided is a control system including: an endoscope configured to take an image of a living body during surgery; a control apparatus configured to control smoke removal processing on the image of the living body and actual smoke evacuation of smoke in the living body; and a smoke evacuation apparatus configured to execute the actual smoke evacuation of the smoke on a basis of control by the control apparatus, in which the control apparatus executes at least the smoke removal processing on a basis of a fact that the smoke has been detected.

Abstract: One variation of a method for monitoring needle consumption in a surgical space during a surgery includes: accessing a sequence of images captured by a camera facing an inventory field within the surgical space; scanning the sequence of images for needle packages and needles; in response to detecting entry of a needle package into the surgical space in a first image, logging entry of the needle package, labeled as sterile, into the inventory field at a first time and incrementing a sterile packaged needle counter for the needle package according to a first quantity of sterile needles associated with a type of the needle package; and, in response to detecting removal of a first needle from the inventory field in a second image, incrementing a deployed needle counter at a second time succeeding the first time and decrementing the sterile packaged needle counter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating the sensory cortex of an individual by obtaining a neuronal stimulation signal adapted to provide a movement cue for the individual and transmitting the neuronal stimulation signal to an electric contact of a neuronal stimulation electrode that is already implanted into the brain of the individual for a purpose different from providing the movement cue. Proprioceptive information is communicated to the individual by obtaining information about the body posture of the individual and applying a neuronal stimulation signal to an afferent axon targeting a sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual. The neuronal stimulation signal is determined based on the obtained body posture information and corresponds to the proprioceptive information. A first neuronal stimulation signal providing the movement cue and a second neuronal stimulation signal providing the proprioceptive information may be applied together to the cortex of the individual.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser system with a patient's eye using a single-piece patient interface (PI). The PI includes a hollow shell, with an applanation lens and a flexible skirt at its lower end. Through channels are formed around the applanation lens to connect the spaces above and below the lens. When the PI is coupled to the laser system and the eye, the upper rim of the shell forms a seal with the laser system and the flexible skirt forms a seal with the eye. A vacuum is applied to the interior of the shell via a vacuum port on the laser system, and the vacuum is communicated to the space enclosed by the applanation lens, the skirt and the eye through the channels around the lens. A magnetic mechanism is also provided to hold the PI shell to the laser system.

Abstract: A medical device drive system may include a locking structure, a locking device sized and shaped to engage with the locking structure, the locking device coupled to a drive system component, and a lifter configured to actuate the locking device into and out of engagement with the locking structure, wherein the drive system component is selectively lockable by movement of the lifter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for interstitial laser therapy. The device comprises an optical waveguide extending about a central longitudinal axis and having an optical output end; an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associate with, or positioned about the optical output end, wherein the optical diffuser comprises a housing having an open end for receiving the optical output end and a first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide; and a temperature sensor interposed, positioned or located between the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface of the housing, and preferably within the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide. The optical diffuser can be provided with one or more holes, one or more slits, one or more openings, and/or one or more vents. The device can also include a second temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a system for interstitial laser therapy.

Abstract: A method of operating a modular surgical system including a control module, a first surgical module, and a second surgical module is disclosed. The method includes detachably connecting the first surgical module to the control module by stacking the first surgical module with the control module in a stack configuration, detachably connecting the second surgical module to the first surgical module by stacking the second surgical module with the control module and the first surgical module in the stack configuration, powering up the modular surgical system, and monitoring distribution of power from a power supply of the control module to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

Abstract: A surgical system drape includes: a sheath having an interior cavity sized to cover a portion of a surgical system manipulator; an adaptor coupled to the sheath and including a manipulator interface and an instrument interface, the manipulator interface configured to couple with a drive interface of the manipulator, the instrument interface being configured to couple with a drive interface of a surgical instrument mounted to the manipulator; and a fluid conduit coupled to the sheath and extending within the interior cavity of the sheath, the fluid conduit configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid at a fluid port and convey the fluid along the interior cavity of the sheath to cool a component of a portion of the manipulator.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering laser energy to a target in an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises providing a first laser pulse train and a different second laser pulse train emitting from a distal end of an endoscope and incident on a target. The first laser pulse train has a first laser energy level, and the second laser pulse train has a second laser energy level higher than the first laser energy level. In an example, the first laser pulse train is used to form cracks on a surface of a calculi structure, and the second laser pulse train causes fragmentation of the calculi structure after the cracks are formed.

Abstract: A telesurgical system operates in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a moveable component is driven within a first range of an operating parameter. In the second operating mode, the moveable component is driven with a second range of the operating parameter, less than the first range. Usable instrument life is increased by decreasing mechanical degradation of the moveable component as a result of operating in the second range. A surgeon may select either operating mode.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting an intraocular lens in a patient's eye includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanner for deflecting the light beam to form an enclosed treatment pattern that includes a registration feature, and a delivery system for delivering the enclosed treatment pattern to target tissue in the patient's eye to form an enclosed incision therein having the registration feature. An intraocular lens is placed within the enclosed incision, wherein the intraocular lens has a registration feature that engages with the registration feature of the enclosed incision. Alternately, the scanner can make a separate registration incision for a post that is connected to the intraocular lens via a strut member.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting user with hearing by amplifying sound using an amplifier with gain and amplitude controls for a plurality of frequencies; and applying a learning machine to identify an aural environment and adjust the amplifiers for optimum hearing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument for cataract eye surgery. The instrument generally includes a handpiece that delivers sub-ultrasonic and ultrasonic vibrations in either a steady-state emulsification mode or with on-off pulses that dynamically drives a hollow needle in either a pulsed fragmentation mode or a pulsed emulsification mode. The pulsed fragmentation mode is efficient at cutting lens tissue and the pulsed emulsification mode is efficient and emulsifying the cut lands tissue. The pulsed modes manage heat buildup from becoming excessive in the eye during the cataract surgery. While in the pulsed fragmentation mode, the hollow needle is never given the chance to vibrate at an established resonant frequency of the handpiece due to the short on-off period. In contrast, the pulsed emulsification mode has a long enough on-off period to permit an ultrasonic resonant frequency in the handpiece to develop thereby driving the hollow needle at a higher energy than the pulsed fragmentation mode.

Abstract: A method for disengagement detection of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system, the method comprising: determining whether a user's head is unstable prior to disengagement of a teleoperation mode; determining whether a pressure release has occurred relative to at least one of a first user input device or a second user input device for controlling a surgical instrument of the surgical robotic system during the teleoperation mode; and in response to determining the user's head is unstable or determining the pressure release has occurred, determining whether a distance change between the first user input device and the second user input device indicates the user is performing an unintended action prior to disengagement of the teleoperation mode.

Abstract: A photo detector is selectively coupled to a first integrator or a second integrator with switching circuitry when the laser pulses. An integration time of the signal from the photo detector can be substantially greater than an amount of time between successive laser beam pulses in order to provide an accurate measurement of each laser beam pulse of a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser may comprise a clock coupled to an optical switch of the laser system, and control circuitry can control switching and coupling of the detector to the first integrator or the second integrator in response to the clock signal. The first integrator and the second integrator can be selectively coupled to an output such that the first integrator or the second integrator is coupled to the output of the energy detection circuitry when the other integrator is coupled to the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a laser beam, a measurement module, a scanner and a curved patient interface lens. The curved patient interface is measured with a pattern so as to determine a plurality of distances of the curved surface at a plurality of measurement locations. The measurement pattern may comprise the plurality of measurement locations distributed about a central measurement axis corresponding to the laser treatment axis. The plurality of measurement locations of the curved surface may correspond to a portion of a planned treatment profile, such that the measured distances correspond to alignment of the planned treatment. The plurality of distances can be used to determine an apex of the curved surface of the patient interface and to align the laser treatment axis with the apex of the curved surface.