Abstract: A bone fixation device comprises a continuum morphable hollow shell structure including a proximal end and a distal end, an implantation head at the proximal end and a screw thread positioned external to the shell structure between the implantation head and a screw tip positioned at the distal end. A bone fixation system comprises a bone fixation device as described above, at least one reinforcement wire configured for insertion into the bone fixation device, and a castable filler material configured for insertion into the bone fixation device. A bone fixation method comprises fabricating a bone fixation device as described above, drilling the implantation trajectory, implanting the bone fixation device, implanting at least one reinforcement wire within the bone fixation device, and injecting the bone fixation device with a castable filler material via an aperture of the bone fixation device.

Abstract: A clutch system is provided. The clutch system includes an outer unit having a surface defining an aperture in the outer unit; an inner unit disposed in the aperture, wherein a shape of the inner unit matches a shape of the aperture; a low melting point material disposed in the aperture between the inner unit and the surface of the outer unit; a heating element; a temperature sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the heating element and the temperature sensor. The processor is configured to control the heating element thereby changing the low melting point material between a soft state and a rigid state.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming flexible implant devices and U-bridge implants that drive into curved trajectories to enhance implant fixation in bone. The curved drilling trajectories avoid regions of low bone mineral density, such that flexible implants and/or U-bridge implants driven into the curved drilling trajectories are anchored in regions of high bone mineral density to improve the stability of bone fixation. The flexible implants and U-bridge implants are suitable for several applications, including but not limited to spinal fixation, orthopedic bone fixation, and neurosurgery.

Abstract: A continuum device/manipulator includes a first flexible tube, a low melting point (LMP) alloy disposed within the first flexible tube, and a temperature adjustment element that applies heat or cooling to change a phase of the LMP alloy. Changing the phase of the LMP alloy controls a flexibility of the first flexible tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are technological solutions that are configured to limit sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery. Such technological solutions are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of a laparoscope (or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can be used for enabling or causing cleaning of the imaging element to be performed in-vivo in either a manual, semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. In this manner such technological solutions advantageously enable the surgical field during surgery to be more efficiently and consistently maintained in an optimal condition.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a continuum dexterous manipulator (CDM) with a specially designed flexible tool, to be used as a handheld or robotic steerable device for treatment of hard-tissue-related diseases. The CDM of the present invention works well in treatment of soft and sticky material (similar to a lesion) as well as milling the hard tissues (e.g. sclerotic liner of osteolytic lesions) and bone tumors. The present invention is also directed to flexible drilling tools as well as characterization and evaluation of integrating these tools with the CDM in curved-drilling of hard bone towards treatment of hard tissue related diseases (e.g. osteonecrosis or pelvic fracture). The present invention can also include use of various types of drill geometries, aspiration and irrigation, and endoscope view in curved-drilling and trajectory planning.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device. The method includes accessing a first computer-readable reconstruction of a being's anatomy; accessing a second computer-readable reconstruction of an implant; accessing a third computer-readable reconstruction comprising the first computer-readable reconstruction superimposed with the second computer readable reconstruction; generating at least one computer-readable trace from a point cloud; and forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device, wherein the autonomous manufacturing device forms the implant into a shape defined by at least one dimension of the computer-readable trace.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are technological solutions that are configured to limit sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery. Such technological solutions are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of a laparoscope (or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can be used for enabling or causing cleaning of the imaging element to be performed in-vivo in either a manual, semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. In this manner such technological solutions advantageously enable the surgical field during surgery to be more efficiently and consistently maintained in an optimal condition.

Abstract: A clutch system is provided. The clutch system includes an outer unit having a surface defining an aperture in the outer unit; an inner unit disposed in the aperture, wherein a shape of the inner unit matches a shape of the aperture; a low melting point material disposed in the aperture between the inner unit and the surface of the outer unit; a heating element; a temperature sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the heating element and the temperature sensor. The processor is configured to control the heating element thereby changing the low melting point material between a soft state and a rigid state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are technological solutions that are configured to limit sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery. Such technological solutions are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of a laparoscope (or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can be used for enabling or causing cleaning of the imaging element to be performed in-vivo in either a manual, semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. In this manner such technological solutions advantageously enable the surgical field during surgery to be more efficiently and consistently maintained in an optimal condition.

Abstract: A continuum device/manipulator includes a first flexible tube, a low melting point (LMP) alloy disposed within the first flexible tube, and a temperature adjustment element that applies heat or cooling to change a phase of the LMP alloy. Changing the phase of the LMP alloy controls a flexibility of the first flexible tube.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device. The method includes accessing a first computer-readable reconstruction of a being's anatomy; accessing a second computer-readable reconstruction of an implant; accessing a third computer-readable reconstruction comprising the first computer-readable reconstruction superimposed with the second computer readable reconstruction; generating at least one computer-readable trace from a point cloud; and forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device, wherein the autonomous manufacturing device forms the implant into a shape defined by at least one dimension of the computer-readable trace.

Abstract: A continuum device/manipulator includes a first flexible tube, a low melting point (LMP) alloy disposed within the first flexible tube, and a temperature adjustment element that applies heat or cooling to change a phase of the LMP alloy. Changing the phase of the LMP alloy controls a flexibility of the first flexible tube.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device. The method includes accessing a first computer-readable reconstruction of a being's anatomy; accessing a second computer-readable reconstruction of an implant; accessing a third computer-readable reconstruction comprising the first computer-readable reconstruction superimposed with the second computer readable reconstruction; generating at least one computer-readable trace from a point cloud; and forming an implant with an autonomous manufacturing device, wherein the autonomous manufacturing device forms the implant into a shape defined by at least one dimension of the computer-readable trace.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a continuum dexterous manipulator (CDM) with a specially designed flexible tool, to be used as a handheld or robotic steerable device for treatment of hard-tissue-related diseases. The CDM of the present invention works well in treatment of soft and sticky material (similar to a lesion) as well as milling the hard tissues (e.g. sclerotic liner of osteolytic lesions) and bone tumors. The present invention is also directed to flexible drilling tools as well as characterization and evaluation of integrating these tools with the CDM in curved-drilling of hard bone towards treatment of hard tissue related diseases (e.g. osteonecrosis or pelvic fracture). The present invention can also include use of various types of drill geometries, aspiration and irrigation, and endoscope view in curved-drilling and trajectory planning.

Abstract: A continuum device/manipulator includes a first flexible tube, a low melting point (LMP) alloy disposed within the first flexible tube, and a temperature adjustment element that applies heat or cooling to change a phase of the LMP alloy. Changing the phase of the LMP alloy controls a flexibility of the first flexible tube.