Abstract: An endovascular apparatus for crossing through an obstruction in a blood vessel comprises: an elongate endovascular element such as a wire; an ultrasonic transducer, mechanically coupled to the endovascular element for ultrasonically exciting a distal tip portion thereof to facilitate the crossing through the obstruction, and one or more damping features, mechanically coupled to the endovascular element to attenuate lateral displacement of the endovascular element at positions away from the distal tip portion.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, interfaces, and methods for implementing the systems, apparatuses, and interfaces include capturing an image, displaying the image on a display devise, scanning and identifying objects and/or attributes associated with the image and/or objects therein, generating a 3D AR environment within the display overlaid on the image, generating a ray pointer for improved interaction with the image and the generated 3D AR environment, where the environment includes virtual constructs corresponding to the image objects and/or attributes, and selecting, activating, animating, and/or manipulating the virtual constructs within the 3D AR environment.

Abstract: Provided herein is an occlusion device comprising: (a) a substantially solid marker band having an inner and outer diameter, a proximal end, and a distal end; and (b) a resilient mesh body attached within the marker band, wherein the body is a length y, and wherein the body comprises a bolus of additional resilient mesh material of a length x, wherein y is greater than x, and wherein the body extends distally from the marker band having a first delivery shape and a second expandable deployed shape. Also provided herein is a kit comprising the occlusion device disclosed herein and a means for delivery thereof. Methods of manufacture and use of the occlusion device disclosed herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for thrombus detection comprising employing an elongate tube having at least one opening at a distal end of the elongate tube. A coupling is attached or formed at the proximal end of the elongate tube. The detection of the presence of a thrombus is performed by using a syringe to withdraw blood through the at least one thrombus detection opening at the distal end of the elongate tube. If little or no blood is withdrawn, or if the withdrawal of blood is more difficult than expected, the presence of a thrombus obstructing the openings is indicated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to mechanisms and processes relating to artificially rendering images using viewpoint interpolation and extrapolation. According to particular embodiments, a method includes applying a transform to estimate a path outside the trajectory between a first frame and a second frame, where the first frame includes a first image captured from a first location and the second frame includes a second image captured from a second location. The process also includes generating an artificially rendered image corresponding to a third location positioned on the path.

Abstract: A technique for rendering virtual content to a user stores map data of features in a physical environment of the user and measures the location of the user with stationary sensors placed at respective locations within the environment. A server provides the location of the user and portions of the map data to a headset worn by the user. The headset is thus enabled to render virtual content at apparent locations that are based on the measured location of the user and the features described by the map data.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising means for: causing display of at least one world-locked volumetric object having at least one non-viewable region; determining a change in a user's viewing position relative to the at least one world-locked volumetric object; determining if the change in the user's viewing position relative to the at least one world-locked volumetric object will cause display of at least a portion of the at least one non-viewable region of the at least one world-locked volumetric object; and if it is determined that the change in the user's viewing position will cause display of at least a portion of the at least one non-viewable region, cause the at least one world-locked volumetric object to be user-locked.

Abstract: Various embodiments describe systems and processes for capturing and generating multi-view interactive digital media representations (MIDMRs). In one aspect, a method for automatically generating a MIDMR comprises obtaining a first MIDMR and a second MIDMR. The first MIDMR includes a convex or concave motion capture using a recording device and is a general object MIDMR. The second MIDMR is a specific feature MIDMR. The first and second MIDMRs may be obtained using different capture motions. A third MIDMR is generated from the first and second MIDMRs, and is a combined embedded MIDMR. The combined embedded MIDMR may comprise the second MIDMR being embedded in the first MIDMR, forming an embedded second MIDMR. The third MIDMR may include a general view in which the first MIDMR is displayed for interactive viewing by a user on a user device. The embedded second MIDMR may not be viewable in the general view.

Abstract: One embodiment is a lead introducer including an outer needle, an inner needle, a splittable member, and an annular seal member. The outer needle, inner needle, and splittable member each include a body and hub. The splittable member fits over the outer needle body and the inner needle body and can be separated longitudinally. The splittable member hub receives at least portions of both the inner needle hub and the outer needle hub within the splittable member hub. The annular seal member is formed by either a) the inner needle hub or b) a combination of the inner needle hub and outer needle hub. The annular seal member forms a fluid-resisting seal with the interior surface of the splittable member hub when the portions of the inner needle hub and outer needle hub are received within the splittable member hub.

Abstract: A method for color shade matching obtains a 3D tooth surface representation using an intraoral scanner wherein the 3D tooth surface representation comprises surface data and a spatially resolved angular distribution of color vectors, wherein the spatially resolved angular distribution of color vectors associates one or more point positions from the surface data to the corresponding angular distribution of color vectors. The method identifies one or more shade values, where each shade value is associated with one angular distribution of color vectors from the spatially resolved angular distribution of color vectors, by comparing the angular distribution of color vectors to a set of reference angular distributions of color vectors, wherein each reference angular distribution in the set is associated with a corresponding shade value. The method displays, stores, or transmits the surface data with an indication of the one or more shade values.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis and methods for implanting the prosthesis are provided. The prosthesis generally includes a self-expanding frame and two or more engagement arms. A valve prosthesis is sutured to the self-expanding frame. Each engagement arm corresponds to a native mitral valve leaflet. At least one engagement arm immobilizes the native leaflets, and holds the native leaflets close to the main frame. The prosthetic mitral valve frame also includes two or more anchor attachment points. Each anchor attachment point is attached to one or more anchors that help attach the valve prosthesis to the heart.

Abstract: Transcatheter delivery systems, delivery catheters and associated methods for percutaneous delivery of prosthetic mitral valves using a retrograde approach are disclosed herein. A heart valve delivery system configured in accordance herewith includes a delivery catheter having an elongated tubular component and an articulation assembly at a distal end thereof. The articulation assembly includes an arm portion coupled to the tubular component by an elbow or hinge portion. In a closed, delivery state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion generally parallel to the tubular component for delivery of the delivery catheter through the vasculature. In an open, deployed state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion in a non-axial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular component for orienting and positioning a prosthetic valve device carried by the arm portion, e.g., within the native mitral valve region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing placement of transducer arrays on a subject/patient.

Abstract: An elastic suture needle for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a top surface extending along the length of the elongated body, and a bottom surface extending along the length of the elongated body. The elongated body has dimensions that are calculated using the equation T/LN<(4*?)/(?E), where T is the thickness of the elongated body, LN is the length of the neutral axis of the elongated body, ? is the yield strength of the elongated body, and E is the Young's modulus of the elongated body. The elongated body is made of stainless steels such as martensitic stainless steels, austenitic stainless steels, martensitic-aged (mar-aged) stainless steels, and stainless steels sold under the registered trademark ETHALLOY® Needle Alloy.

Abstract: A method of generating a composite image includes capturing a video image of a physical scene with a camera, identifying a green-screen region within the video image, identifying a viewpoint and a position and/or orientation of the green-screen region relative to the viewpoint, and generating a modified video image rendered from the viewpoint onto a display surface in which the green-screen region is replaced with an image of a virtual object. The image of the virtual object is generated by projection rendering of a model of the virtual object based on the position and/or orientation of the green-screen region relative to the viewpoint such that the virtual object is constrained within the green-screen region.

Abstract: A method of providing retrograde perfusion of a patient's brain includes occluding a jugular vein of a subject at a jugular occlusion location, and passively shunting arterial blood from an artery of the subject to a location in the jugular vein distal to the jugular occlusion location.

Abstract: A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robotic surgical system is provided, where the robotic surgical system including an arm having an instrument with jaws and an access port each coupled to the arm. The method includes detecting a position of the instrument, and opening the jaws of the instrument, in response to a determination that a distance between the position of the instrument and a position of the access port is greater than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A platform device for material excision or removal from vascular structures for either handheld or stereotactic table or robotics platform use may comprise a work element or elements configured to selectively open and close at least one articulable beak or scoopula configured to penetrate and remove intra-vascular materials or obstructions, or follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated as well as single or multiple arrays of image guidance elements, directional elements, ablation elements and other interventional assistance elements. A single tube or an inner sheath and an outer sheath which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks or scoopulas and provisions for simultaneous or differential beak or scoopula closing under their differential rotation may be incorporated.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device advanceable over a guidewire. The rotational atherectomy device includes a drive shaft rotatably extending through an outer tubular member to rotate a cutting member positioned at a distal end thereof. The rotational atherectomy device further includes an insert positioned within the cutting member for frictional contact with the guidewire.