Abstract: Surgical instrument trays and related methods are described. The surgical instrument tray includes a tray having a plurality of side walls and a base which define an interior space. An insert is located within the interior space of the tray and is removable from the interior space. A lid is provided for closing the interior space and which is removable from the tray. The insert has an upper surface including a plurality of outlines, each outline having the shape of the outline of a corresponding surgical instrument or part of a surgical instrument, each outline being in the form of a continuous strip, and wherein each outline has at least one support arranged to receive and releasably hold the corresponding surgical instrument or part of the surgical instrument above and in registration with the outline.

Abstract: A line dispensing device includes a housing, a rotatable shaft rotatably supported by the housing and defining a rotational axis, and a line drum disposed about the rotational axis and configured to extend and retract a line from the housing. The line dispensing device also includes a retraction assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a retraction force and retract the line from the housing, and a braking assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a braking force on the line and during extension of the line from the housing.

Abstract: Fluid mixing systems and methods to dynamically adjust a density of a fluid mixture are disclosed. A method to dynamically adjust a density of a fluid mixture includes obtaining data indicative of one or more characteristics of a mixture of a first fluid having a first density and a second fluid having a second density that is less than the first density. The method also includes determining, based on the one or more characteristics, an amount of additive to add to the mixture, and releasing a volume of the first fluid, which when mixed with the second fluid, forms a mixture having a ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid. The method further includes mixing the first fluid with the second fluid. The method further includes adding the determined amount of additive to the mixture having the ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: Trackable apparatuses and methods involving at least one arrangement of at least one trackable feature configured for disposition in relation to at least one substrate, each arrangement of the at least one arrangement having a distinct pattern of trackable features configured to facilitate determining at least one of: an identity of at least one object and at least one subject, a disposition of at least one object and at least one subject, a disposition between at least one object and at least one subject, and a disposition among at least one object and at least one subject, and each arrangement of the at least one arrangement configured to optimize tracking by a navigation tracking system, whereby at least one spatial relationship among the at least one object and the at least one subject is optimizable. The navigation tracking system is optionally multi-modal.

Abstract: A method may comprise introducing a first traceable solid particulate into a first formation zone of one or more subterranean formations, wherein the first traceable solid particulate may comprise a first soluble tracer coated onto a first solid particulate. The method may also comprise introducing a second traceable solid particulate into a second formation zone of the one or more subterranean formations, wherein the second traceable solid particulate may comprise a second soluble tracer coated onto a second solid particulate, wherein the second tracer and the first tracer may have a different chemical identity. The method may further comprise recovering produced fluid from the one or more subterranean formations and monitoring concentrations of at least the first soluble tracer and the second soluble tracer in the produced fluid.

Abstract: An automatic descent control device includes a line configured to be attached to a load. A line system retracts slack from the line when the line is not loaded and extends the line when the line is loaded. At least one braking system provides a braking force when the line is loaded so as to control extension of the line and a descent rate of the load. The at least one braking system is operable in at least two configurations, a first configuration that the at least one braking system lowers the load at a first descent rate, and a second configuration that the at least one braking system lowers or locks the load at a second descent rate. The load being a constant and the first descent rate is greater than the second descent rate.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure, the imaging system involving an optical assembly having moveable zoom optics and moveable focus optics, a zoom actuator and a focus actuator for positioning the zoom and focus optics, respectively, a controller for controlling the zoom and focus actuators independently in response to received control input, a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly, the system capable of performing autofocus during a medical procedure.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure. The imaging system includes an optical assembly including moveable zoom optics and moveable focus optics. The system includes a zoom actuator and a focus actuator for positioning the zoom and focus optics, respectively. The system includes a controller for controlling the zoom and focus actuators independently in response to received control input. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly. The system may be capable of performing autofocus during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: A method may comprise introducing a first traceable solid particulate into a first formation zone of one or more subterranean formations, wherein the first traceable solid particulate may comprise a first soluble tracer coated onto a first solid particulate. The method may also comprise introducing a second traceable solid particulate into a second formation zone of the one or more subterranean formations, wherein the second traceable solid particulate may comprise a second soluble tracer coated onto a second solid particulate, wherein the second tracer and the first tracer may have a different chemical identity. The method may further comprise recovering produced fluid from the one or more subterranean formations and monitoring concentrations of at least the first soluble tracer and the second soluble tracer in the produced fluid.

Abstract: A trial neck (30) and a method for trialling a neck of an orthopedic implant in a hip replacement procedure. The method includes inserting a broach (10) into a medullary canal of a femur and connecting a distal end of a trial neck to a proximal end (12) of the broach. The trial neck includes a proximal end connectable to a trial head. The trial neck includes a body portion extending along a neck axis (5) of the trial neck between the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end includes a male connector for connection to a corresponding female connector of a trial head. The male connector includes a plurality of connection members (34A, 34B) extending parallel to the neck axis. The connection members are separated by one or more elongate slots (50) including at least one kink (52) forming an interlock between the connection members separated by that slot. The connection members are resiliently deflectable.

Abstract: An end effector is provided for connecting to a positioning arm of a positioning device of a medical navigation system. The end effector comprises a mating component for connecting to an output flange of the positioning arm, a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the mating component, the handle portion including a cable cut-out at the first end, and a camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion.

Abstract: A device and method for inserting a liner into an acetabular cup. The device includes a first portion configured to engage the liner and a rim of the acetabular cup to align a pole of the liner and a pole of the cup along an axis of the device prior to insertion of the liner into the cup. The device also includes a second portion for pushing the liner into the cup. The second portion includes a guide arrangement for engaging a rim of the liner. The second portion is coupled to the first portion for movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion along said axis.

Abstract: A contrast system and methods for improving optical detection during a medical procedure, the system involving: a tracking marker, each tracking marker comprising a tracking marker coupling feature; and a contrast element, each contrast element comprising a contrast element coupling feature and an optically non-reflective feature, the contrast element coupling feature configured to complement the tracking marker coupling feature, each contrast element configured to respectively accommodate, by backing, each tracking marker, and contrast element configured to respectively facilitate coupling each tracking marker with a trackable object through a background object via at least one of a contrast element fastening feature and a trackable object fastening feature, whereby at least one of optical contrast and imaging in relation to the tracking marker and the background object is enhanced, false detection of the tracking marker is minimized, and optical detection of the tracking marker is improved.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided having a positioning device having a positioning arm with a flange at the end of the positioning arm, a controller at least electrically coupled to the positioning device, and an end effector joystick controller for connecting to the flange of the positioning arm. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory and a display. The end effector joystick controller includes a mating component for connecting to the flange of the positioning arm, and a joystick portion extending from the mating component.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided, comprising a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a tracking camera for tracking medical devices, and a display for displaying an image; an automated arm assembly electrically coupled to the computing device and controlled by a signal provided by the computing device, the automated arm assembly including a multi-joint arm having a distal end connectable to an effector that supports a surgical camera electrically coupled to the computing device; and a medical device having a tracking marker attachable to the medical device.

Abstract: An automated positioning system and methods of controlling the same. The positioning system includes a multi-joint positioning arm, an end effector coupled to a distal end of the positioning arm, a force-moment sensor (FMS) coupled to the end effector and a controller coupled to communicate with the positioning arm and the FMS. Using signals from the FMS, at least one external force or torque applied to the end effector is determined. A drive velocity for moving the end effector is determined, based on the at least one external force or torque. One or more joint movements of the positioning arm for moving the end effector is calculated, according to the drive velocity. The positioning arm is moved according to the one or more calculated joint movements.

Abstract: A locking carabiner includes a body having a first end and a second end. A gate rotatably coupled to the second end about a gate axis, and a locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the gate about a locking mechanism axis. The locking member is configured to engage with the first end, and the gate axis is substantially parallel to, and offset from, the locking mechanism axis. Additionally, the rotation of the locking mechanism is in a substantially similar plane as the rotation of the gate.

Abstract: An apparatus for frying snack foods, the apparatus including a fryer having a tubular frying section with inlet and outlet ends, the outlet end downstream relative to the inlet end. An oil supply system for supplying oil to the inlet end. A food input at the inlet end adapted to introduce pre-fried snack food pieces into a flow of oil at the inlet end. A food output at, or downstream of, the outlet end adapted to separate fried snack food pieces from the flow of oil. An oil flow accelerator accelerating oil flow from the inlet end to the outlet end thereby conveying the snack food pieces, immersed in the oil, from the inlet end to the outlet end during a frying process. Also disclosed is a method of frying snack foods.