Abstract: The present invention teaches a robotically-assisted surgical system, method and apparatus capable of achieving access to areas of the brain both within and outside a direct line of sight. This is achieved through a relatively small skull access port that is of lesser invasion than some achieved in the prior art. A console spaced from a surgical patient is adapted to comfortably accommodate a surgeon, in a manner to achieve minimal stress during lengthy surgical procedures. Robotics interconnect the surgeon and surgical tools to be used, said tools being capable of entering and operating through a relatively small (20 mm) port in the patient's skull. Camera means comprising part of said surgical tools being interconnected to a monitor viewable by the surgeon. Means are provided which are controllable by the surgeon for gaining access to and manipulating portions of the patient's brain both within a direct line of sight and outside of said direct line of sight.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a robotically-assisted surgical system, method and apparatus capable of achieving access to areas of the brain both within and outside a direct line of sight. This is achieved through a relatively small skull access port that is of lesser invasion than some achieved in the prior art. A console spaced from a surgical patient is adapted to comfortably accommodate a surgeon, in a manner to achieve minimal stress during lengthy surgical procedures. Robotics interconnect the surgeon and surgical tools to be used, said tools being capable of entering and operating through a relatively small (20 mm) port in the patient's skull. Camera means comprising part of said surgical tools being interconnected to a monitor viewable by the surgeon. Means are provided which are controllable by the surgeon for gaining access to and manipulating portions of the patient's brain both within a direct line of sight and outside of said direct line of sight.

Abstract: An anatomical specimen collection device and system enabling a higher capacity, extended filtering capability and easy removal of the specimen while avoiding blockage or clogging. The anatomical specimen collection device includes a removable flexible nozzle with a distal end configured for mating with a variety of suction instruments and a removable axial filter element surrounded by a negative pressure environment.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: A bone dust collection device includes a bone dust collection structure defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The bone dust collection structure has a transverse plate member connected at or in the vicinity of the proximal end to a cylindrical wall defining an aperture at the distal end for receiving and collecting bone dust. The aperture extends proximally and includes a filtration member disposed therein. The filtration member causes at least partial separation of fluid from the bone dust via the fluid passing proximally through the filtration member. The bone dust collection structure enables removal of bone dust collected therein. A method of collecting an anatomical specimen includes generating an anatomical specimen in particulate form at a surgical site of a subject; collecting the particulate accumulated in the collection device; and packing the collected particulate into a region of interest in the subject.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising: a sliding portion provided with a tongue; and, a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue; wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positioned within the slot. Methods of use include adjusting a spinal implant to an implant site by at least one of sliding and rotating at least a first portion with respect to a second portion of the implant; and, securing the spinal implant to the implant site.

Abstract: A locking spring screw, comprising a screw body having a flexible spring member positionable within a screw head. The screw head comprises a tool slot adapted for receipt of a spring member and includes at least one outlet adjacent to the tool slot adapted for passage therethrough of a tongue of the spring member. A slotted aperture located opposite the outlet from the screw head is positioned at least partially around the circumference of the screw head for engaging the tongue and securing the screw body to an implant when the spring member is in an unbiased condition.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising: a sliding portion provided with a tongue; and, a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue; wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positioned within the slot. Methods of use include adjusting a spinal implant to an implant site by at least one of sliding and rotating at least a first portion with respect to a second portion of the implant; and, securing the spinal implant to the implant site.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking spring screw formed from a cylindrical screw body having a screw head that includes a tool slot adapted for receipt of a flexible spring member. The tool slot includes at least one outlet formed adjacent to the tool slot which is adapted for passage therethrough of a tongue extending outwardly from the spring member. A ridge is located opposite the outlet from the cylindrical screw body and formed at least partially around the circumference of the screw head wherein the spring member is retracted during installation and, upon the ridge engaging a flange, the spring member is released preventing screw head removal by entrapping the flange between the ridge and the tongue of the spring member.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising: a sliding portion provided with a tongue; and, a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue; wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positioned within the slot. Methods of use include adjusting a spinal implant to an implant site by at least one of sliding and rotating at least a first portion with respect to a second portion of the implant; and, securing the spinal implant to the implant site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for removing solid matter from a brain and controlling bleeding associated with the removal of the matter. The method involves securing a cranial anchor to a region of the skull in which an opening has been created to expose brain matter and introducing through a passage defined by the anchor a channel member that displaces brain tissue and exposes the solid matter. After removing the solid matter, a flowable hemostat is introduced into the cavity created by removal of the matter. A balloon introduced into the working channel is then inflated to compress the hemostat against the wall of the cavity to control bleeding from blood vessels around the cavity. The device includes a cranial anchor, a channel member defining a working channel, an optional removable trocar, and a catheter for introducing the hemostat and the inflatable balloon into the cavity.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for removing solid matter from a brain and controlling bleeding associated with the removal of the matter. The method involves securing a cranial anchor to a region of the skull in which an opening has been created to expose brain matter and introducing through a passage defined by the anchor a channel member that displaces brain tissue and exposes the solid matter. After removing the solid matter, a flowable hemostat is introduced into the cavity created by removal of the matter. A balloon introduced into the working channel is then inflated to compress the hemostat against the wall of the cavity to control bleeding from blood vessels around the cavity. The device includes a cranial anchor, a channel member defining a working channel, an optional removable trocar, and a catheter for introducing the hemostat and the inflatable balloon into the cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising: a sliding portion provided with a tongue; and, a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue; wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positioned within the slot.

Abstract: A network-based application for computing devices facilitates workflow management for healthcare professionals and can facilitate secure communications, collaboration and sharing of information regarding patient care. Notifications about messages can be sent or received, for example, by text or email to or from the healthcare professional's personal computing device, or as a notification to a message inbox accessed through a secure Internet or other secure network portal. Messages and data containing the actual patient information, however, are sent or retrieved only through the user's message inbox accessed through the secure Internet or other secure network portal.

Abstract: A system for managing healthcare-related communications includes a computer network and a server system comprising a portal that is accessible through the computer network. The server system includes a healthcare professional profile subsystem that is operable to perform operations including the following: receive input through the portal from a first computing device, wherein the input indicates an availability status for a first healthcare professional; store the availability status as part of a profile for the first healthcare professional; and in response to receiving a request through the portal from a second healthcare professional, provide for viewing by the second healthcare professional a listing of one or more healthcare professionals, wherein the listing includes the name and availability status of the first healthcare professional.

Abstract: A system for managing healthcare-related communications includes a computer network and a server system that includes a portal accessible through the computer network. The server system includes a referral tracking subsystem that is operable to perform operations including tracking referrals among physicians based on communications sent through the server system, and storing information about the tracked referrals.