Abstract: A method for evaluating the effectiveness of a skin treatment on a skin feature includes correcting the color of a first image before the skin treatment, correcting the color of a second image after the skin treatment, determining the sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images, and comparing the corrected colors and sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images. In some embodiments, the first and second images include the skin feature and an indicator adjacent to the skin feature, where the indicator has a standard color and a known size.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the effectiveness of a skin treatment on a skin feature includes correcting the color of a first image before the skin treatment, correcting the color of a second image after the skin treatment, determining the sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images, and comparing the corrected colors and sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images. In some embodiments, the first and second images include the skin feature and an indicator adjacent to the skin feature, where the indicator has a standard color and a known size.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a skin lesion on a user includes obtaining images of the user from a camera, determining an area of the user's body for treating the skin lesion, positioning an LED assembly comprising an LED array, and activating one or more LEDs in the LED array to treat the skin lesion.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a lesion within a skin region includes a light emitting diode (LED) array configured to treat the lesion and a camera capable of imaging the skin region. The LED array includes one or more LEDs, and the camera includes an image sensor and a lens. The apparatus is configured to automatically photograph the skin region before and/or after the lesion treatment. A system for treating a lesion within a skin region includes the apparatus and a remote device.

Abstract: A method for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure on a patient is disclosed. The method includes receiving an intra-operative CT scan image, generating a three-dimensional isotropic scaffold based on the intra-operative CT scan image, fusing one or more images with the three-dimensional isotropic scaffold to form a three-dimensional model of a portion of the body of the patient, receiving information regarding the surgical procedure, determining obstacles in the path of the surgical procedure, and determining possible trajectories for the surgical procedure. The received information includes information regarding a surgical target to be operated upon, a region of access on the skin of the patient, and a surgical instrument to be used during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the effectiveness of a skin treatment on a skin feature includes correcting the color of a first image before the skin treatment, correcting the color of a second image after the skin treatment, determining the sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images, and comparing the corrected colors and sizes of the skin feature in the first and second images. In some embodiments, the first and second images include the skin feature and an indicator adjacent to the skin feature, where the indicator has a standard color and a known size.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: A method for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure on a patient is disclosed. The method includes receiving an intra-operative CT scan image, generating a three-dimensional isotropic scaffold based on the intra-operative CT scan image, fusing one or more images with the three-dimensional isotropic scaffold to form a three-dimensional model of a portion of the body of the patient, receiving information regarding the surgical procedure, determining obstacles in the path of the surgical procedure, and determining possible trajectories for the surgical procedure. The received information includes information regarding a surgical target to be operated upon, a region of access on the skin of the patient, and a surgical instrument to be used during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method for determining access to a patient for performing a surgical procedure in an internal location in the patient's body is disclosed. The method includes forming a three-dimensional model of a portion of the patient's body based on a set of medical images, calculating at least one path for a surgeon to follow to perform the surgical procedure, and determining one or more access zones that the surgeon may use to enter the body. Methods for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure and performing the surgical procedure are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical guide includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion includes a sensor, and the surgical guide measures translation of a surgical instrument along an axis of intervention and rotation about the axis. Another embodiment of the surgical guide includes a fixed portion having a motion sensor and a removable portion having at least three spheres. The removable portion fits inside of the fixed portion. The surgical instrument contacts the spheres, and the motion sensor senses the movement caused by the instrument of the corresponding sphere.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a bed extending along a main direction, a robotic arm disposed adjacent to the bed, and a surgical guide attached to the robotic arm. The bed has a table top to support a patient, the robotic arm is controllable to move in relation to the body of the patient; and the surgical guide is capable of holding a surgical instrument and measuring a translation of the surgical instrument as it moves through the surgical guide. The robotic arm is configured to position the surgical guide to a desired position in relation to a target area of the patient.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in surgery is disclosed that includes an articulated instrument having a tip and at least one joint capable of bending, a controller for controlling the radius of bending of the instrument, and a sensor for calculating the amount of bending and the position of the tip of the articulated instrument.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: A system for performing robotic surgery on a patient disposed on a bed includes a gantry comprising a computed tomography (CT) diagnostic device, a platform supporting the gantry, and a robotic arm assembly attached to the platform. The gantry slides along the platform via a first carriage to allow entry of at least part of the patient into the bore of the CT device. The robotic arm assembly is attached to the platform via a pivot arm and a second carriage to allow the assembly to slide along the platform to enable surgery to be performed on the patient. The pivot arm is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: A method for determining access to a patient for performing a surgical procedure in an internal location in the patient's body is disclosed. The method includes forming a three-dimensional model of a portion of the patient's body based on a set of medical images, calculating at least one path for a surgeon to follow to perform the surgical procedure, and determining one or more access zones that the surgeon may use to enter the body. Methods for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure and performing the surgical procedure are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a bed extending along a main direction, a robotic arm disposed adjacent to the bed, and a surgical guide attached to the robotic arm. The bed has a table top to support a patient, the robotic arm is controllable to move in relation to the body of the patient; and the surgical guide is capable of holding a surgical instrument and measuring a translation of the surgical instrument as it moves through the surgical guide. The robotic arm is configured to position the surgical guide to a desired position in relation to a target area of the patient.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device can have a housing and an electrode defining an energizable surface at least partially positioned externally of the housing. The electrode can move longitudinally relative to the housing. A shank of the electrode can be positioned within the housing and configured to urge against an energizable element in the housing. The energizable element can have a longitudinally movable electrical coupler configured to electrically couple with the shank portion when the shank portion urges against the energizable element. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument can selectively provide electrosurgical energy to an energizable electrode. The instrument can include an interface configured to issue one or more waveform command signals corresponding to a selected therapeutic result; waveform generation circuitry configured to deliver in response to the one or more wave form command signals, a corresponding one or more waveforms selected from a first, a second, and a third waveform, each of the first, second and third waveforms being different from the other of the first, second and third waveforms. The instrument can include a variable output voltage supply configured to supply a selected electrical current to a corresponding output, and an output driver circuitry configured to combine at least one or more of the waveforms with the respective high-voltage electrical current to generate an electrosurgical current suitable for achieving the therapeutic result when applied to a treatment site by the energizeable electrode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.