Abstract: A brain surgery system having a robotic arm for guiding insertion of a retractor into a subject brain. The system includes an imaging system having a radiation source and a detector adapted to output imaging data based on the measured radiation. The system further includes a computer system having a processor and memory. A robotic arm is mounted on the imaging system and is controlled by software. An end effector is attached to the robotic arm and adapted to hold a retractor. The end effector includes a linear slide having a fixed portion adapted to attach to the robotic arm and a movable portion. The linear slide is adapted to move the retractor in a longitudinal direction of the retractor to insert the retractor into the subject brain. The end effector further includes a stand affixed to the linear slide and adapted to hold the retractor.

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 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 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: An apparatus for performing surgery includes a first link that includes a first end and a second end, a second link that includes a first end and a second end, and an end effector positioned at the first end of the first link. The first end of the second link is coupled to the first link by a hinge. The end effector traces along a surface, which may be spherical or hemispherical. A system that includes the apparatus and an imaging device, such as a CT scanner, is also described.

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: Apparatus (1) for rehabilitation of an upper limb of a person comprising a base frame (10) and a kinematic chain (100) connected to each other. The kinematic chain (100) comprises a plurality of rigid links (21-25) connected in series one after the other through a plurality of rotational joints (31-34), each of which having a respective rotation axis (131-134) and arranged to rotatably connect two successive rigid links of the series. The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of actuation groups (70), each of which associated to a respective rotational joint and configured to generate and transmit a predetermined driving power to the rotational joint associated to it.

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: 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: A prosthesis for lower-limb amputees having a foot segment and a tibial segment pivotally connected to each other about an articulation axis that perform an ankle joint of a leg/foot prosthesis. The leg-foot prosthesis has a gear motor whose axis coincides with the axis of the tibia. From the gear motor a pinion gear extends below with conical toothed shape that meshes with a toothed arch present on the foot. This way, the gear motor operates the relative movement between tibia and foot and varies the relative angle ?. The gear motor can be associated with a microprocessor that is adapted to control the movement of the ankle joint. To obtain that, the microprocessor communicates with a position transducer provided at the articulation axis of the ankle that measure the rotation of the ankle, i.e. the angle ?.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the configuration of a distal physiological unit prises first position sensors for detecting quantities relating to the relative positions of a digit of an extremity of a limb and to the adduction-abduction of the digit. The device also comprises second position sensors for detecting quantities relating to the pronation-supination position of a distal portion of the limb, to the flexion-extension position of the wrist and to the adduction-abduction position of the wrist. The device comprises a glove structure bearing the fist sensors and an exoskeleton structure bearing the second sensors.