Abstract: A medical control apparatus to which a rigid endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject is detachably connected is configured to perform image processing on a captured image obtained by capturing a subject image introduced by the rigid endoscope and generate a medical photographic image to be displayed on a display device that displays images. The medical control apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect a mask width that is a distance between boundary points dividing the subject image included in the captured image and a mask area that is an area other than the subject image; and a control unit configured to calculate a first parameter used for the image processing in accordance with the mask width.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a discectomy are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a surgical tool for use in a therapeutic treatment of a patient includes a handle; an upper arm coupled to the handle; a lower arm coupled to the handle; a pivot arm coupled to one of the upper arm or the lower arm via a first pivot pin; and an end effector pivotably coupled to the pivot arm via a second pivot pin, wherein actuation of the handle causes movement of the pivot arm and articulation of the end effector.

Abstract: A bi-directional medical suturing device includes a first needle; a second needle being disposed distal to the first needle; a first thread control member including a first holding portion being movable between a position where the first holding portion prevents a movement of the first needle and a position where the first holding portion does not prevent the movement of the first needle; and a second thread control member including a second holding portion being located the first holding portion, the second holding portion being movable between a position where the second holding portion prevents a movement of the second needle and a position where the second holding portion does not prevent the movement of the second needle.

Abstract: An intraluminal device may be provided including an elongated structure formed of a plurality of wires. The intraluminal device may include at least one expandable mesh segment configured to engage an obstruction in a body lumen, wherein the plurality of wires may be arranged into sets of looped wires that overlap to form the expandable mesh segment. The intraluminal device may also include at least one clot anchoring segment that may be configured to trap the obstruction to prevent downstream movement of the obstruction relative to the intraluminal device.

Abstract: A method of treating or cleaning a wound bed is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a wound-care device. The wound-care device includes a handle and a head monolithically formed with a first end of the handle and extending away from the first end of the handle. The head includes a base and a plurality of projections monolithically formed with the base and extending away from the base. During use of the wound-care device, a user may manually disturb a wound bed of a patient by placing one or more projections of the plurality of projections in contact with the wound bed and manually moving, while the one or more projections are in contact with the wound bed, the wound-care device with respect to the wound bed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and devices for providing contrast medium for sonography of structures such as ducts and cavities. The invention provides for creation of detectable acoustic variations between two generated phases of a gas and a liquid to make a contrast medium. Sonography is the primary means of imaging but other conventional detection means may also be employed with the present invention.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand with open ends around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and/or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system also includes means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The preferred embodiment of the catheter includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A backpack tool apparatus including a backpack assembly and at least one tool. The backpack assembly includes a casing and at least one battery pack received in the casing. The at least one tool is connected to the casing and electrically connected to the battery pack. The backpack tool apparatus may be provided with multiple tools to simultaneously realize different operations and functions. Moreover, the tools may be configured to be detachably connected to the backpack assembly, and may be replaced with different tools to realize different operations and functions according to needs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including tracking a tool portion and a patient marker from a first line of sight, using a first tracking device disposed upon a first head-mounted device that includes a display. The tool portion and the patient marker are tracked from a second line of sight, using a second tracking device. When a portion of the patient marker and the tool portion are both within the first line of sight, an augmented reality image is generated upon the first display based upon data received from the first tracking device and without using data from the second tracking device. When at least the patient marker portion and the tool portion are not both within the first line of sight, a virtual image of the tool and anatomy of the patient is generated using data received from the second tracking device. Other applications are also described.