Abstract: Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

Abstract: A device includes a housing, a tissue engager, and a closing mechanism. The housing can be placed over a wound, and the tissue engager can engage a portion of tissue proximate the wound. The closing mechanism is coupled to the housing and the tissue engager and can move the tissue engager from an open position to a closed position to close the wound.

Abstract: A device includes a base and a tube clamp. The tube clamp is coupled to an upper surface of the base. The assembled tube clamp and base are positioned around a tube and moved into engagement with a surface of a patient, at which point a lower surface of the base is adhered to the surface of the patient to anchor the tube relative to the surface of the patient.

Abstract: A system includes a user interface, a processor, and a memory. The user interface is configured to receive a user input and is configured to depict a first graphical representation of a device having a first configuration corresponding to a first simulation. The processor, coupled to the user interface, is configured to select a second simulation from a plurality of discrete simulations. The second simulation corresponds to the user input. The memory, coupled to the processor, is configured to store the plurality of discrete simulations. Each simulation includes device design parameters and corresponding performance parameters. The plurality of discrete simulations includes the first simulation and includes the second simulation. The processor is configured to generate a second graphical representation of the device having a second configuration and configured to depict the second graphical representation using the user interface. The second configuration is determined using the second simulation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for medical device modeling includes accessing an electronic definition for a model of a three-dimensional item and an electronic definition of a three-dimensional spline relating to an internal anatomical volume; determining, with a computer-based finite element analysis system and using the electronic definitions, stresses created by the three-dimensional item along the three-dimensional spline, for different points along the three-dimensional spline; and displaying stress data generated by the finite element analysis system with a visualization system, the display of the stress data indicating levels of stress on portions of the three-dimensional item at particular locations along the three-dimensional spline.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablating material in a region within a vascular system of a patient are provided. A determination of at least one of a type of material in the region and an indication of a distance to the material in the region is made based on at least one property of the region determined from light reflected from the region. Light from a light source is transmitted in at least one of a plurality of optical fibers based on the determination, and at least some of the transmitted light is received at a first emitter disposed along a length of a laser catheter proximate a distal end thereof. The first emitter radially transmits the at least some of the light from the length of the laser catheter so that the light impinges upon and ablates the material through an opening in the length of the laser catheter.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system for translocating a multilayer patch. The system includes a support structure having a contact surface for bonding to the patch. The support structure has a shape configured to support the patch following separation of the patch from a surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for medical device modeling includes accessing an electronic definition for a model of a three-dimensional item and an electronic definition of a three-dimensional spline relating to an internal anatomical volume; determining, with a computer-based finite element analysis system and using the electronic definitions, stresses created by the three-dimensional item along the three-dimensional spline, for different points along the three-dimensional spline; and displaying stress data generated by the finite element analysis system with a visualization system, the display of the stress data indicating levels of stress on portions of the three-dimensional item at particular locations along the three-dimensional spline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for medical device modeling includes accessing an electronic definition for a model of a three-dimensional item and an electronic definition of a three-dimensional spline relating to an internal anatomical volume; determining, with a computer-based finite element analysis system and using the electronic definitions, stresses created by the three-dimensional item along the three-dimensional spline, for different points along the three-dimensional spline; and displaying stress data generated by the finite element analysis system with a visualization system, the display of the stress data indicating levels of stress on portions of the three-dimensional item at particular locations along the three-dimensional spline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented medical visualization method includes identifying a three-dimensional model of an anatomical item of a particular mammal; automatically identifying an open path in three-dimensional space through the anatomical item; fitting a smooth curve to the open path; and displaying the anatomical item and a visual representation of the smooth curve to a user on a three-dimensional imaging system.

Abstract: A spinal probe comprises a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle and a force sensor to detect forces applied to a tip of the shaft. A controller that executes a predictive algorithm to predict whether or not the tip of the shaft is going to breach a cortex of a pedicle based on the detected forces. The controller may be embedded within the spinal probe or external within a computer or other device coupled to the probe by a data acquisition component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablating material in a region within a vascular system of a patient are provided. A determination of at least one of a type of material in the region and an indication of a distance to the material in the region is made based on at least one property of the region determined from light reflected from the region. Light from a light source is transmitted in at least one of a plurality of optical fibers based on the determination, and at least some of the transmitted light is received at a first emitter disposed along a length of a laser catheter proximate a distal end thereof. The first emitter radially transmits the at least some of the light from the length of the laser catheter so that the light impinges upon and ablates the material through an opening in the length of the laser catheter.

Abstract: Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

Abstract: Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system for translocating a multilayer patch. The system includes a support structure having a contact surface for bonding to the patch. The support structure has a shape configured to support the patch following separation of the patch from a surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A surgical access system including an access port device. The port device has a port member, a plurality of blades, and an articulation mechanism. The blades are circumferentially arranged about a longitudinal axis of the port member to collectively define an access region. The articulation mechanism defines a pivot point along a length of each blade, and is operable to articulate the blades between collapsed and expanded states. The blade tips collectively define a diameter in the collapsed state that is less than that in the expanded state. The blades rotate about the corresponding pivot point, and the pivot points move longitudinally relative to the port member, in transitioning between the contracted and expanded states. Light source(s) can be integrated with the blades or separately provided to enhance surgical field visibility.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a tissue sensor may include a micro-fabricated structure that can be coupled to a medical instrument, such as a probe, an endoscopic tool, or another minimally invasive instrument. The tissue sensor can be configured to provide information indicate of tissue properties, such as tissue elasticity characteristics or the type of tissue.

Abstract: A system includes a user interface, a processor, and a memory. The user interface is configured to receive a user input and is configured to depict a first graphical representation of a device having a first configuration corresponding to a first simulation. The processor, coupled to the user interface, is configured to select a second simulation from a plurality of discrete simulations. The second simulation corresponds to the user input. The memory, coupled to the processor, is configured to store the plurality of discrete simulations. Each simulation includes device design parameters and corresponding performance parameters. The plurality of discrete simulations includes the first simulation and includes the second simulation. The processor is configured to generate a second graphical representation of the device having a second configuration and configured to depict the second graphical representation using the user interface. The second configuration is determined using the second simulation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for medical device modeling includes accessing an electronic definition for a model of a three-dimensional item and an electronic definition of a three-dimensional spline relating to an internal anatomical volume; determining, with a computer-based finite element analysis system and using the electronic definitions, stresses created by the three-dimensional item along the three-dimensional spline, for different points along the three-dimensional spline; and displaying stress data generated by the finite element analysis system with a visualization system, the display of the stress data indicating levels of stress on portions of the three-dimensional item at particular locations along the three-dimensional spline.

Abstract: A computer-implemented medical visualization method includes identifying a three-dimensional model of an anatomical item of a particular mammal; automatically identifying an open path in three-dimensional space through the anatomical item; fitting a smooth curve to the open path; and displaying the anatomical item and a visual representation of the smooth curve to a user on a three-dimensional imaging system.