Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along, three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A rail system for a medical table includes a frame, a rail coupled to the frame and an apparatus for reacting a moment on the rail. The apparatus is operatively secured to a first position on the rail and is configured to apply a first moment on the rail to counteract a second moment applied to the rail.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the min member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: An “MRI-safe” implantable infusion apparatus and a method that include a flow actuated valve (FAV) that closes to prevent a free flow of an infusate to a patient during an MRI procedure, and a release mechanism that opens the valve so that the apparatus may return to normal operation following the MRI procedure. In this manner, patient safety is improved and an inconvenience of having to empty a pump reservoir before undergoing the MRI procedure may be avoided.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A rail system for a medical table includes a frame, a rail coupled to the frame and an apparatus for reacting a moment on the rail. The apparatus is operatively secured to a first position on the rail and is configured to apply a first moment on the rail to counteract a second moment applied to the rail.

Abstract: An “MRI-safe” implantable infusion apparatus and method that includes a flow actuated valve (FAV) that closes to prevent a free flow of infusate to a patient during an MRI procedure, and a release mechanism that opens the valve so that the device may return to normal operation following the MRI procedure. In this manner, patient safety is improved and the inconvenience of having to empty the pump reservoir before undergoing an MRI procedure may be avoided.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a first cell separator plate, a second cell separator plate, and a carbon layer with integrated flowchannels. The MEA includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in fluid communication with the first and second electrodes. The first cell separator plate is disposed on the first electrode side of the MEA and defines a first flow field therebetween, the first flow field being proximate a first frame member. The second cell separator plate is disposed on the second electrode side of the MEA and defines a second flow field therebetween, the second flow field being proximate a second frame member. The carbon layer with integrated flowchannels is disposed at the first flow field, the flowchannels having a flow width that is equal to or less than the width of the webbing between adjacent flowchannels.