Abstract: Methods and devices for identifying and defining a safety zone for restricting movement of a robotic arm in an operating room during a medical procedure are disclosed. The disclosed method utilizes medical navigation system, which receives an initiation input indicating initiation of defining of the safety zone. In response to receiving the initiation input, the system tracks an instrument and determines the location of the tracked instrument relative to a reference point. The system detects changes in the location of the tracked instrument until a termination input is received at the medical navigation system. The termination input indicates the termination of the defining of the safety zone. The system stores, in memory, change data indicative of the changes in the location of the tracked instrument. The data identifies the safety zone relative to the reference point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided. The medical navigation system includes a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a wireless communication component and a display for displaying an image. The medical navigation system further includes a sensor module attached to a medical device. The sensor module includes a housing for housing components of the sensor module and for attaching to the medical device, a processor housed in the housing, a memory coupled to the processor, a wireless communication component coupled to the processor, a battery coupled to the processor, and a sensor coupled to the processor. The sensor generates a signal to be transmitted wirelessly via the sensor module wireless communication component and receivable by the computing device wireless communication component, the signal representing movement of the medical device.

Abstract: An automated positioning device and associated method for use in a medical procedure is provided. The automated positioning device comprises a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a multi-joint positioning arm electrically coupled to the computing device and controlled by the computing device, and a sensor module attached to the multi-joint positioning arm and providing a proximity signal to the computing device indicating proximity of a target. The computing device provides a control signal to the multi-joint positioning arm to move the multi-joint positioning arm in response to the proximity signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for identifying and defining a safety zone for restricting movement of a robotic arm in an operating room during a medical procedure are disclosed. The disclosed method utilizes medical navigation system, which receives an initiation input indicating initiation of defining of the safety zone. In response to receiving the initiation input, the system tracks an instrument and determines the location of the tracked instrument relative to a reference point. The system detects changes in the location of the tracked instrument until a termination input is received at the medical navigation system. The termination input indicates the termination of the defining of the safety zone. The system stores, in memory, change data indicative of the changes in the location of the tracked instrument. The data identifies the safety zone relative to the reference point.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided. The medical navigation system includes a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a wireless communication component and a display for displaying an image. The medical navigation system further includes a sensor module attached to a medical device. The sensor module includes a housing for housing components of the sensor module and for attaching to the medical device, a processor housed in the housing, a memory coupled to the processor, a wireless communication component coupled to the processor, a battery coupled to the processor, and a sensor coupled to the processor. The sensor generates a signal to be transmitted wirelessly via the sensor module wireless communication component and receivable by the computing device wireless communication component, the signal representing movement of the medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: An automated positioning device and associated method for use in a medical procedure is provided. The automated positioning device comprises a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a multi-joint positioning arm electrically coupled to the computing device and controlled by the computing device, and a sensor module attached to the multi-joint positioning arm and providing a proximity signal to the computing device indicating proximity of a target. The computing device provides a control signal to the multi-joint positioning arm to move the multi-joint positioning arm in response to the proximity signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and processes are discussed for an advertisement network including an analytics engine, an Ad server, and a database. The analytics engine can be configured to collect and analyze signal data about tracked statistics and data on advertising effectiveness and search information. The analytics engine can also be configured to work with the Ad server. The database can be configured to store multiple instances of one or more product video advertisements, each of the multiple instances varying in content and containing an embedded link. The database can have an index of the multiple instances of the one or more product video advertisements. The analytics engine can be configured to work with the Ad server to select and deliver a first instance of a product video advertisement optimized for a search engine-results page based on the signal data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating private, social voice messaging between intimate contacts, especially when the message content is meaningful, but the immediacy is not, are disclosed. In an aspect, a dedicated hardware device for the reception and playback of messages is provided along with a message creation mobile application. The application allows a remote sender to create a rich voice message on their mobile device that can be sent to a receiving party in close proximity to the dedicated reception hardware device. Once the hardware device receives the message it provides a visual and/or audio cue to the receiving party. Then, the receiving party may simply tap the device, when ready, and the rich voice message plays. Thus, the disclosed systems, methods and computer program products restore social etiquette in communications by allowing the receiving party to the time and place they receive voice communications.

Abstract: A combination coaster and trivet that is made of a flexible silicon material. It is molded into a generally square form that have several slits formed in it. These slits allow the form to be folded generally square for use as a coaster, or expanded to form a larger apparatus suitable for use as a trivet. The form has a button formed on one end and a corresponding slot on the other end that allows the user to lock the ends together making a flower like form. Moreover because the material is flexible, the form can be used vertically. Locked together, the device can be used as a potholder to lift and carry hot bowls or pots. For example, the device can be wrapped around a bowl and placed in a microwave oven. When the cooking is complete, the user can remove the hot bowl safely by gripping the device.