Abstract: Embolic protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter with an integrated embolic protection element comprises a catheter shaft, an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, a proximal stop for limiting the proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limiting the distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may comprise a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a tubular filter body attached to a sheath. The tubular filter body has an open upstream end and a generally closed downstream end for capturing emboli. A self-opening passage through the emboli capture end of the tubular filter body allows multiple catheters to be advanced from the sheath or otherwise into the filter body simultaneously or sequentially. The sheath is attached to a peripheral support structure near the emboli capture end of the filter body to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the filter body through a restraining delivery catheter.

Abstract: A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to the skin surface of the head or in sensing one or more body parameters of the head of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel of a subject comprises a flexible catheter and a trap. The trap is formed from a set of braided wires covered in a covering, and, at a distal end of the trap, has an oval opening that is beveled such that the oval opening has a distal portion, and a proximal portion proximal from the distal portion. The trap has a beak, defined by wires of the set, that extends over the proximal portion of the oval opening. The trap is biased to assume an expanded state in which the oval opening is wider than a rim of the catheter, and is compressible into a compressed state within the catheter such that the oval opening is narrower than in the expanded state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for controlling an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument, said instrument comprising at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion may include receiving an input command at a controller for articulation of said steerable distal portion, the articulation correlating to an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion; calculating an approximate overall bend from said approximate y-bend and said approximate x-bend; and setting a limit of said approximate overall bend beyond which said steerable distal portion is not permitted to achieve. The method may further include one of: causing actuation of said at least one tensioning member to achieve said y-bend and said x-bend on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being equal to or less than said limit, and repeating the receiving, calculating, and setting steps on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being greater than said limit.

Abstract: Apparatuses (devices, systems) and methods for shielding (protecting) surroundings around periphery of regions of interest located inside objects (e.g., patients) from radiation emitted by X-ray systems towards the objects. Apparatus includes: at least one radiation shield assembly including a support base connectable to an X-ray system radiation source or detector, and a plurality of radiation shield segments sequentially positioned relative to the support base, thereby forming a contiguous radiopaque screen configured for spanning around the region of interest periphery with a radiopaque screen edge opposing the object. Radiation shield segments are individually, actively controllable to extend or contract to selected lengths with respective free ends in directions away from or towards the support base(s), for locally changing contour of the radiopaque screen edge.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve delivery catheter includes an embolic filter to provide integrated embolic protection to inhibit the release of emboli into the aorta, the aortic arch or branch vessels, and other vasculature during transvascular heart valve replacement procedures. The embolic filter will usually be fixedly or movably attached to a shaft of the delivery catheter proximal of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to the skin surface of the head or in sensing one or more parameters of the head of a user.

Abstract: A tool tip holder includes a deployment mechanism and several tool carriers coupled to the deployment mechanism. Each tool carrier has a tool access end and a base end, and the deployment mechanism is adapted to selectively reconfigure the plurality of tool carriers from a linear or other elongated arrangement into a parallel cluster. The deployment mechanism can be a spring attachment structure that links the tool carriers and folds them into a parallel cluster when released from constraint. Alternatively, the deployment mechanism may be an inflatable structure that arranges the tool carrier into a parallel cluster when inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a surgical incision comprises left and right base panels, a plurality of closure components, and a plurality of left and right axial supports coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components couple the left and right base panels to each other laterally and have left and right ends coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components are positioned laterally across the left and right panels, the left axial supports are disposed between pairs of left closure component ends, the right axial supports are disposed between pairs of right closure component ends, and the left and right axial supports are offset from one another such that a serpentine arrangement of consecutive closure components and axial supports is formed. The apparatus can be made of antimicrobial materials or materials impregnated with antimicrobial agents. A flexible adhesive cover can be provided over the apparatus when in use.

Abstract: A radiation shield cover for covering a radiation shield of an X-ray system, the cover comprising cover sides; a cover bottom at the bottom of the cover sides configured to prevent contact of the radiation shield with a patient; a connection mechanism for connecting the cover to a radiation detector and/or a radiation source, and/or the radiation shield of the X-ray system; and a deployment mechanism configured to retract and/or extend the shield cover when the radiation shield retracts and/or extends, or thereafter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described allow the techniques of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery to be combined into a minimally invasive hybrid surgical technique called NOTES-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Manual and robotic-controlled versions of a modular laparoscopic tool are described having a small diameter shaft that is delivered laparoscopically to a surgical site. Larger diameter working tips are delivered through a NOTES delivery tube inserted to the surgical site through a natural orifice and joined to the shaft of the modular laparoscopic tool. Larger diameter working tips improve the effectiveness of the modular laparoscopic tools and the number and size of laparoscopic ports used can also be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rigid structures and composite materials thereof for providing radiation attenuation/shielding. Some embodiments pertain to a radiation shielding apparatus including: a plurality of positionable radiation-shielding stacks of tiles. The stacks are subsequently and adjacently arranged in a contiguous configuration. A tile positioning mechanism allows movement of tiles within a stack between a stacked (retracted) position and an extended position. In the extended position, the tiles of each of the plurality of radiation shielding stacks at least partially overlap tiles of subsequent and adjacent tile stack at corresponding opposing side-margins thereof.

Abstract: A medical instrument may comprise a first articulatable segment having a first diameter, and a second articulatable segment having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the second articulatable segment is coupled to the first articulatable segment and extends in a distal direction past the first articulatable segment. The instrument may also comprise a first force transmission element coupled to the first articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the first articulatable segment to a first connector portion, the first connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a first actuator, and a second force transmission element coupled to the second articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the second articulatable segment to a second connector portion, the second connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a second actuator.

Abstract: Embolic protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter with an integrated embolic protection element comprises a catheter shaft, an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, a proximal stop for limiting the proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limiting the distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may comprise a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a joint of a subject is described. The system includes at least one sensor configured to be coupled near the joint of the subject, the at least one sensor configured to sense one or more measurements of the joint. The system also includes a computing device comprising a digital processing device configured to receive the one or more measurements, determine one or more joint parameters based on the one or more measurements, generate a user interface for display, the user interface including a graphical representation of the one or more joint parameters. The digital processing device is also configured to compare the one or more joint parameters to a predetermined threshold and generate an icon for display within the user interface. The icon being generated in response to one of the one or more joint parameters exceeding the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collision detection and prevention system for medical X-ray equipment, in particular a supplementary system that augments an existing safety system, which is useful when the X-ray equipment includes an auxiliary apparatus, such as a radiation shield, which may interfere with the existing collision detection and prevention system.

Abstract: A method for accessing a blood vessel using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The thumbwheel is rotatably fastened at a front end of the housing and accessible through an opening in the housing. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that an axis of rotation of the thumbwheel is perpendicular to the guidewire and rotation of the thumbwheel advances the guidewire through the lumen of the needle. The method includes preparing the catheter insertion device, inserting a tip of the needle and distal end of the catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel by holding the housing and rotating the thumbwheel, furthering the distal end of the catheter over the guidewire, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in some embodiments thereof, to devices and methods for protecting a patient's upper body portion from collision with medical instruments, such as an X-ray imaging system and/or an X-ray radiation protection apparatus. In some embodiments, the invention provides a head protection device comprising a support platform for supporting a patient's head; and a head protection shield connected to the support platform. In some embodiments, the shield is pivotally connected to the support platform to allow a relative pivotal movement between the support platform and the shield. In some embodiments, the device includes an adjuster unit allowing to vertically adjust the distance between the head protector shield and the support platform, thereby allowing to fit various head sizes.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a joint of a patient is described. The system includes at least one sensor configured to be coupled near the joint of the patient, the at least one sensor configured to sense one or more measurements of the joint. The system also includes a computing device comprising a digital processing device configured to receive the one or more measurements, determine one or more joint parameters based on the one or more measurements, generate a user interface for display, the user interface including a graphical representation of the one or more joint parameters. The digital processing device is also configured to compare the one or more joint parameters to a predetermined threshold and generate an icon for display within the user interface. The icon being generated in response to one of the one or more joint parameters exceeding the predetermined threshold.