Abstract: In the examples set forth herein, nucleic acid extraction materials are capable of selectively extracting cell free nucleic acids, including cell free DNA, directly from whole blood samples or plasma. Also included are methods of making and using the nucleic acid extraction materials. One example of a nucleic acid extraction material includes a substrate. This example of the nucleic acid extraction material also includes a polycation bonded to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. In this example, the polycation consists of a polymer of a quaternized monomer selected from the group consisting of a quaternized 1-vinylimidazole monomer and a quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate monomer, or a copolymer of a neutral monomer and the quaternized monomer.

Abstract: An example of a nucleic acid extraction material includes a substrate. The nucleic acid extraction material also includes a polycation bonded to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. The polycation consists of a polymer of a quaternized monomer selected from the group consisting of a quaternized 1-vinylimidazole monomer and a quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate monomer, or a copolymer of a neutral monomer and the quaternized monomer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hoop drive assembly. A hoop drive assembly according to the various embodiments may include one or more toothed rings and one or more motors coupled to the one or more toothed rings. In the various embodiments, rotation of the one or more toothed rings may change an orientation of a turret supported by the hoop drive assembly and/or move a control actuator of a catheter held in a modular plate coupled to the turret.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured for coupling with an instrument drive unit that drives an actuation of the surgical instrument and operatively supports the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongate body extending distally from the housing, an end effector extending distally from the elongate body, and a plurality of driven members rotatably disposed within the housing. The plurality of driven members is nested with one another. Each driven member of the plurality of driven members is coupled to a respective cable that is attached to the end effector. The plurality of driven members is configured for engagement with an instrument drive unit.

Abstract: A surgical access port for accessing a cavity of a patient having an outer frame including first and second frame portions, wherein at least one of the frame portions is movable with respect to the other frame portion. The outer frame has a first length greater than the first width, wherein movement of at least one of the frame portions away from the other frame portion increases the outer frame to a third length greater than the first length. An inner member has a second length and a second width, the second length being substantially transverse to the first length of the outer frame and the second width being substantially transverse to the first width of the outer frame. A flexible member extends between the outer frame and inner member and is movable by movement of at least one of the frame portions.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hoop drive assembly. A hoop drive assembly according to the various embodiments may include one or more toothed rings and one or more motors coupled to the one or more toothed rings. In the various embodiments, rotation of the one or more toothed rings may change an orientation of a turret supported by the hoop drive assembly and/or move a control actuator of a catheter held in a modular plate coupled to the turret.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A surgical access port for accessing a cavity of a patient having an outer frame including first and second frame portions, wherein at least one of the frame portions is movable with respect to the other frame portion. The outer frame has a first length greater than the first width, wherein movement of at least one of the frame portions away from the other frame portion increases the outer frame to a third length greater than the first length. An inner member has a second length and a second width, the second length being substantially transverse to the first length of the outer frame and the second width being substantially transverse to the first width of the outer frame. A flexible member extends between the outer frame and inner member and is movable by movement of at least one of the frame portions.