Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining treatment outcome in a subject having a disease, the method including evaluating RNA expression level of a B cell related gene to determine a B cell gene signature; evaluating RNA expression level of a CD8+ T cell related gene to determine a CD8+ T cell gene signature; analyzing the B cell gene signature and the CD8+ T cell gene signature (B8T gene signature); and determining treatment outcome in a subject based on the B8T gene signature.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for device-assisted manipulation of an implant's position in a patient, such as for delivering and positioning a cochlear implant. An exemplary modular system includes an implant position manipulator (IPM) unit reversibly engaging an elongate member of an implant, and a user control device for applying driving force to the IPM unit to regulate the motion of the implant. The system may include sensors providing feedback on the position or the motion of the implant, or the force or friction applied to the implant during the implantation procedure.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: A cutting assembly (200) is configured for use with an electromagnetic tracking system (1). The cutting assembly comprises a bur assembly (10) and a sheath assembly (100). The sheath assembly comprises a sensor (135) configured to measure an electrical field around the cutting assembly, a wire (130) configured to operably connect the sensor and an external computing device (6), and a sensor mount (110) affixed to at least a portion of the sheath assembly, the sensor mount configured to house the sensor and at least a portion of the wire. The sheath assembly is configured to receive at least a portion of the bur assembly such that any impact from magnetic interference caused by, for example, a cutting device (40) within the bur assembly on the sensor is minimized when the cutting device is cutting a patient's bone.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positioning of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: A cutting assembly (200) is configured for use with an electromagnetic tracking system (1). The cutting assembly comprises a bur assembly (10) and a sheath assembly (100). The sheath assembly comprises a sensor (135) configured to measure an electrical field around the cutting assembly, a wire (130) configured to operably connect the sensor and an external computing device (6), and a sensor mount (110) affixed to at least a portion of the sheath assembly, the sensor mount configured to house the sensor and at least a portion of the wire. The sheath assembly is configured to receive at least a portion of the bur assembly such that any impact from magnetic interference caused by, for example, a cutting device (40) within the bur assembly on the sensor is minimized when the cutting device is cutting a patient's bone.

Abstract: A parking lock mechanism having a motor, an actuation shaft, an engagement cam, a release cam, a cam biasing member, a pawl member and a lock gear. The engagement cam has a first side, a second side and a perforation there through. An outer edge of the engagement cam has a contact portion and an engagement portion. The release cam has a first side, a second side and a perforation there through. An outer edge of the release cam has a release member and an engagement portion. The cam biasing member has a first end, a coil portion and a second end. The pawl member has a pivot perforation, an engagement end, a locking protuberance and a sensor protuberance. The pawl member is disposed adjacent the engagement cam and the release cam. The lock gear has a plurality of inner splines and outer teeth.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for injecting therapeutic agents at precise locations into the bodily tissue. The apparatus comprises an end effector that is guided to a precise location by motion controllers on a handle. At a precise location, the end effector attaches via a vacuum to the cardiac tissue. A flexible needle is advanced through a deflecting tunnel in the end effector to a desired depth. A therapeutic agent is then introduced via the flexible needle into the cardiac tissue. All these manipulations can be controlled by one hand and can be viewed via imaging methods.

Abstract: A parking lock mechanism having a motor, an actuation shaft, an engagement cam, a release cam, a cam biasing member, a pawl member and a lock gear. The engagement cam has a first side, a second side and a perforation there through. An outer edge of the engagement cam has a contact portion and an engagement portion. The release cam has a first side, a second side and a perforation there through. An outer edge of the release cam has a release member and an engagement portion. The cam biasing member has a first end, a coil portion and a second end. The pawl member has a pivot perforation, an engagement end, a locking protuberance and a sensor protuberance. The pawl member is disposed adjacent the engagement cam and the release cam. The lock gear has a plurality of inner splines and outer teeth.

Abstract: A handpiece arrangement for a tool having a retaining member configured to receive a portion of the tool in a secure position, a guard configured to cover a portion of the tool, at least one mounting member configured to receive a portion of a tracking system and an actuator mounted to the handpiece. The actuator may be configured to control the exposure of the tool. A navigated surgery kit is also provided including a tracking system, a tool in communication with the tracking system, a platform in communication with the tracking system and the tool. The platform may have a processor, a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code configured to selectively control shaping of an object with the tool via at least one hidden object associated with a predetermined navigated surgical operation.

Abstract: A singulating disc, carried by a housing, has a plurality of openings around its periphery. The disc rotates vertically through a pickup chamber of a hopper carried by the housing. A vacuum is pulled through the openings by a pump which is connected to the disc. Items are placed in the hopper and, via gravity, fall to the bottom of the hopper where they contact the periphery of the rotating disc. The vacuum at the openings attaches an item and holds it while the disc rotates. At the top of the discs rotation, a diverter directs the item into a path depending on the results of a fragment detection and/or counting mechanism. Items that are allowed to pass by the diverter are scraped off the disc into another path by a scraper. Negative pressure is used to singulate and count a multitude of sizes and shapes of items with no calibration. Retractable paddles, a vacuum management system, and RFID tags may be incorporated.

Abstract: Described herein are stabilizers for surgical tools. One aspect provides a surgical tool stabilizer, comprising: a support configured to engage at least a portion of a surgical tool and configured to receive at least a portion of a tracking system; and a retractable stabilizer configured to surround at least a portion of an end effector of said surgical tool. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for injecting therapeutic agents at precise locations into the bodily tissue. The apparatus comprises an end effector that is guided to a precise location by motion controllers on a handle. At a precise location, the end effector attaches via a vacuum to the cardiac tissue. A flexible needle is advanced through a deflecting tunnel in the end effector to a desired depth. A therapeutic agent is then introduced via the flexible needle into the cardiac tissue. All these manipulations can be controlled by one hand and can be viewed via imaging methods.

Abstract: A carrier rack for a vehicle is provided that includes a tubular frame member and a plurality of strapping members. The tubular frame member includes at least four corner portions and defines an outer perimeter of the carrier rack and also defines a carrier plane. Each of the strapping members is secured to a respective one of the corner portions, and is spaced apart from the carrier plane and positioned entirely interior of the outer perimeter of the carrier rack. The carrier plane is generally horizontally oriented, and each of the strapping members is below the carrier plane, when the carrier rack is attached to a vehicle and oriented to carry objects.