Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally penetrated through tissue at a first cardiovascular site of a subject. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the subject, and is used to capture the first end of the wire and pull the first end of the wire away from the first cardiovascular site. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire, and is then anchored to the tissue at the first cardiovascular site. A second anchor is anchored to tissue at a second cardiovascular site. Subsequently, the first and second cardiovascular sites are drawn together by applying tension between the first and second anchors. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned adjacent a cardiovascular tissue of the subject, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the cardiovascular tissue by positioning a distal portion of the system against a cardiovascular wall of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains against the cardiovascular wall, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the cardiovascular tissue. While the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. While (i) the first portion remains stabilized, and (ii) the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, at least a portion of the system is transluminally implanted at the cardiovascular tissue, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A custom support structure and models for use in simulated robotically-assisted, telesurgical and/or laparoscopic colonic, pelvic, bladder, or uterine surgery are disclosed. The support structure comprises components for inserting the support structure into a mannequin, and for positioning animal tissue in a way that mimics the human colorectal, pelvic, uterine, and bladder systems, thus allowing for simulated surgery.

Abstract: Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: A visual electrical, time management device incorporating a display which indicates the time lapse between resets, and alerts clinical staff to the relative urgency to act for a patient unable to act for his or her own self. The invention is used to improve awareness and compliance for repositioning protocol for clinical staff or caregivers that a patient should be turned, moved, or repositioned to avoid DUs associated with long periods of time in the same position in bed. The device measures the time elapsed since last reset indicating how long the patient has been in the current position. The device “face” provides an easy to identify and understand visual or audio cues to how much time has lapsed and how much time is left before the patient may experience injury. The caregiver resets the device easily by activating the face directly, by voice, or other electronic method.

Abstract: Artificial blood compositions for use in simulated surgery, and kits including the compositions, are disclosed. sues, organs, and organ blocks which include dissolvable clots are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for carrying out simulated surgical procedures using the compositions, tissues, organs, organ blocks, and kits described herein.

Abstract: A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed “plate,” which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair.

Abstract: Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed “plate,” which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair.

Abstract: A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed “plate,” which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair.

Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally penetrated through tissue at a first cardiovascular site of a subject. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the subject, and is used to capture the first end of the wire and pull the first end of the wire away from the first cardiovascular site. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire, and is then anchored to the tissue at the first cardiovascular site. A second anchor is anchored to tissue at a second cardiovascular site. Subsequently, the first and second cardiovascular sites are drawn together by applying tension between the first and second anchors. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally advanced to a location adjacent an atrium of a heart of a subject, while a second end of the wire remains disposed outside of the subject. From the location, the first end of the wire is penetrated through tissue into the atrium. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the atrium. Using the capture device, the first end of the wire is captured and pulled out of the subject. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire into the atrium, and is anchored to an annulus of a valve of the heart. A second anchor is advanced into the atrium, and is anchored to the annulus. Subsequently, the annulus is reshaped by applying tension between the first and second anchors.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned adjacent a cardiovascular tissue of the subject, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the cardiovascular tissue by positioning a distal portion of the system against a cardiovascular wall of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains against the cardiovascular wall, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the cardiovascular tissue. While the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. While (i) the first portion remains stabilized, and (ii) the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, at least a portion of the system is transluminally implanted at the cardiovascular tissue, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into the heart of a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned through a native valve of the heart, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the native valve by positioning a distal portion of the system within a blood vessel of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains within the blood vessel, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the native valve. While the wires remain pressed against the native valve, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. An anchor is transluminally anchored to tissue of the native valve, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A current testing device including a housing assembly, an electrical assembly and a circuit board assembly is disclosed herein. The housing assembly includes a housing that encloses the electrical assembly. The electrical assembly includes a battery, a microprocessor, a display, a keypad, a power button, an electrical port, and test cables. The microprocessor permits the user to simulate a fuse. The microprocessor has a memory in which a predetermined catalogue of fuses characteristics is stored. The user connects the test cables to a circuit board where the fuse is blown. The keypad allows the user to type the simulation characteristics while the display shows the results of the simulation.

Abstract: Artificial blood compositions for use in simulated surgery, and kits including the compositions, are disclosed. Tissues, organs, and organ blocks which include dissolvable clots are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for carrying out simulated surgical procedures using the compositions, tissues, organs, organ blocks, and kits described herein.

Abstract: Artificial blood compositions for use in simulated surgery, and kits including the compositions, are disclosed. sues, organs, and organ blocks which include dissolvable clots are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for carrying out simulated surgical procedures using the compositions, tissues, organs, organ blocks, and kits described herein.

Abstract: A custom support structure and models for use in simulated robotically-assisted, telesurgical and/or laparoscopic colonic, pelvic, bladder, or uterine surgery are disclosed. The support structure comprises components for inserting the support structure into a mannequin, and for positioning animal tissue in a way that mimics the human colorectal, pelvic, uterine, and bladder systems, thus allowing for simulated surgery.

Abstract: An adjustable conduit stub-up rack is provided, the rack comprising: structural members and sliding members, wherein at least some of the structural members are frame structural members and form a rectangular frame, wherein at least some of the structural members are vertical support structural members and at least some of the structural members are horizontal support structural members, wherein the support structural members slide relative to one another via the sliding members, and wherein the vertical structural members slide along the horizontal structural members.