Abstract: Foamed glass beads can be made from glass, a hydrated foaming agent, a hydrated binding agent, a sealing agent, a fluxing agent, and a solvent. The hydrated binding agent can hold the glass and the hydrated foaming agent in solution. The glass can be derived from glass cullet that is ground into powder. The glass powder, the hydrated foaming agent, the hydrated binding agent, the sealing agent, the fluxing agent, and the solvent can be mixed together to create a preform material that is pelletized to make preform pellets. The preform pellets can be dried and then heated to a predetermined temperature. The heating process can create the final, foamed glass beads.

Abstract: A drape system may include a drape and a connector for connecting a patient tracking device across the drape. The drape may be placed over a patient undergoing a medical procedure. The connector may be defined by first and second connector bodies. The first connector body may couple to a base of the patient tracking device which, in turn, is attached to the patient. The second connector body may couple to a head of the patient tracking device. The head of the patient tracking device can carry at least one tracking marker configured to be tracked by a surgical position recognition system. The two connector bodies can connect together with the drape positioned between the two bodies.

Abstract: A drape can be used to cover a display device in a medical environment to create a sterile barrier over the display. The drape includes a front panel and a rear panel. The drape can form first and second top corner pockets and first and second bottom corner pockets. The drape may include a pull tab connected to one or both of the first and second bottom corner pockets. In use, a clinician can position the first and second top corner pockets of the drape over first and second upper corners of the display. The clinician can grasp the pull tab and pull the drape around the bottom edge of the display, positioning the first and second bottom corner pockets of the drape over the first and second bottom corners of the display. This can provide a tight fit between the drape and display for good visualization through the drape.

Abstract: A drape connector system can be used to join different sections of drape material, such as different sections of compositionally dissimilar drape material. In some examples, a medical drape is formed that includes a first section of drape material, a second section of drape material, and the connector system. The connector system includes a receiving body defining a groove and a locking body insertable into the groove. A portion of the first section of drape material is positioned overlaying the groove, and a portion of the second section of drape material is also positioned overlaying the groove. The locking body is inserted into the groove thereby locking the portion of the first section of drape material and the portion of the second section of drape material in the groove.