Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided that generate in vivo maps of oxygenation measurements of biological tissue. These may include surgical instruments and stand-alone imaging systems with incorporated oxygen sensing capability. Oxygenation maps can be determined via fluorescent or phosphorescent lifetime imaging of an injectable probe with an oxygen-dependent optical response. Probe configuration and methods and apparatus of injecting the probe into the tissue are provided. Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation of temperature-dependent lifetime measurements are provided to improve oxygenation measurement accuracy. Oxygen maps may be registered with visible light images to assist in assessing tissue viability or localize anomalies in the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: An actuator (100) powered by photonic energy comprises a rotor including a material (101) which deforms from a first underformed state when exposed to electromagnetic radiation to a second deformed state and begins to return to the first state when the electromagnetic radiation is removed. A stationary element (102) is affixed to the rotor. A moving element (105) engaging the stator at least when the rotor is in the second deformed state. Deformation of the deformable material in response to applied electromagnetic radiation is transmitted by the stator to the moving element by friction between the stationary element and the moving element for causing motion of the moving element.

Abstract: An endoscopic system may include an endoscope including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle may include a non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism configured to articulate a distal tip portion of the elongate shaft. The distal tip portion may be articulatable in response to a manually applied force exerted upon the actuation mechanism. Removal of the manually applied force may lock the distal tip portion in its then-current configuration. The non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism may include a clutch mechanism actuatable in response to an electrical signal generated in response to sensing a user-applied force to the actuating mechanism by a strain gauge.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided that generate in vivo maps of oxygenation measurements of biological tissue. These may include surgical instruments and stand-alone imaging systems with incorporated oxygen sensing capability. Oxygenation maps can be determined via fluorescent or phosphorescent lifetime imaging of an injectable probe with an oxygen-dependent optical response. Probe configuration and methods and apparatus of injecting the probe into the tissue are provided. Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation of temperature-dependent lifetime measurements are provided to improve oxygenation measurement accuracy. Oxygen maps may be registered with visible light images to assist in assessing tissue viability or localize anomalies in the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided that generate in vivo maps of oxygenation measurements of biological tissue. These may include surgical instruments and stand-alone imaging systems with incorporated oxygen sensing capability. Oxygenation maps can be determined via fluorescent or phosphorescent lifetime imaging of an injectable probe with an oxygen-dependent optical response. Probe configuration and methods and apparatus of injecting the probe into the tissue are provided. Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation of temperature-dependent lifetime measurements are provided to improve oxygenation measurement accuracy. Oxygen maps may be registered with visible light images to assist in assessing tissue viability or localize anomalies in the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method in accordance with the invention for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue in contact with the working surface of a surgical instrument. The invention describes a sensing adjunct to surgical staplers. The adjunct can take the form of an optionally coupled accessory to a surgical stapler, or a stand-alone substitutive component acting to serve as a replacement for a component of the surgical stapler such as an anvil, housing or cartridge. Embodiments include a sensing anvil serving to act in place of a non-sensing surgical stapler anvil to monitor tissue properties of an anastomosis for the purpose of avoiding anastomotic failure.

Abstract: A device and method in accordance with the invention for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue in contact with the working surface of a surgical instrument. The invention describes a sensing adjunct to surgical staplers. The adjunct can take the form of an optionally coupled accessory to a surgical stapler, or a stand-alone substitutive component acting to serve as a replacement for a component of the surgical stapler such as an anvil, housing or cartridge. Embodiments include a sensing anvil serving to act in place of a non-sensing surgical stapler anvil to monitor tissue properties of an anastomosis for the purpose of avoiding anastomotic failure.

Abstract: A device and method in accordance with the invention for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue in contact with the working surface of a surgical instrument. The invention describes a sensing adjunct to surgical staplers. The adjunct can take the form of an optionally coupled accessory to a surgical stapler, or a stand-alone substitutive component acting to serve as a replacement for a component of the surgical stapler such as an anvil, housing or cartridge. Embodiments include a sensing anvil serving to act in place of a non-sensing surgical stapler anvil to monitor tissue properties of an anastomosis for the purpose of avoiding anastomotic failure.

Abstract: A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue.