Abstract: An optical sensor system for detecting a tissue type in a surgical procedure is described. The optical sensor system includes an excitation source configured to selectively emit excitation light, a probe comprising at least one fiber coupled to the excitation source and configured to illuminate target tissue with excitation light and collect light from target tissue, a compliance member coupled to the at least one fiber, the compliance member being at least partially translucent and configured to deform in response to engagement by a surgical tool, an indicator element configured to emit light in response to receiving an indicator signal, an optical detection module coupled to the at least one fiber and configured to generate a signal based on the collected light, and a controller configured to determine a tissue characteristic based on the signal and generate the indicator signal based on the determined tissue characteristic.

Abstract: A surgical method of assessing tumor margins of obscured tissue of a patient who was administered a fluorescing agent is provided. The method includes creating an access hole through a tissue of the patient and extending to a surgical site of the patient, accessing the surgical site through the access hole and resecting tissue at the surgical site of the patient with a surgical instrument to create a resection cavity with at least a portion of thereof being outside of the field of view of the surgical microscope and including the obscured tissue, positioning the surgical instrument in contact with the obscured tissue, collecting fluorescent emission from the obscured tissue with the surgical instrument, and controlling an indicator of a tissue detection system based on the fluorescent emissions from the obscured tissue as collected by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A neurosurgery system for probing brain tissue of a patient for tumorous tissue. The system including a suction tool, an excitation source, an optical instrument, and a controller. The suction tool including a suction cannula defining a lumen, an optical fiber configured to transmit fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue; and an indicator configured to selectively emit visible light. An excitation source is configured to emit an excitation light having a wavelength to induce the fluorescence in the tumorous tissue. The optical instrument is coupled to the optical fiber. The optical instrument configured to convert the fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue and transmitted by the optical and configured to determine that the brain tissue is tumorous based on the electrical signal and activate the indicator based on the determination.

Abstract: Quantifying blood loss with a medical waste collection system including a receiver with which a manifold is removably coupled. The manifold and/or the medical waste collection system is coupled with a fluid characterization module having a sensor assembly to detect a characteristic indicative of a blood concentration within fluid. The sensor assembly may include emitters, and sensors to detect light transmitted and scattered by the fluid in a suction path or a detection window. A first emitter may be a visible-light LED, and a second emitter an infrared LED. A fluid director may provide a tortuous path within the manifold and facilitate separation of gas and liquid within the fluid. Quantifying the blood loss volume may include determining the blood concentration within the fluid, and determining a volume of the collected fluid. Gain of the sensors may be adjusted based on the transmissivity of the collected fluid.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical electrode for an electrosurgical tool can include a proximal end configured to receive electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical tool and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The electrosurgical electrode can also include a cutting-electrode portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The cutting-electrode portion is configured for cutting tissue using the electrosurgical energy received from the electrosurgical tool. Additionally, the electrosurgical electrode can include a coagulating-electrode portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The coagulating-electrode portion is configured for coagulating tissue using the electrosurgical energy received from the electrosurgical tool. The electrosurgical electrode can further include an insulator between the cutting-electrode portion and the coagulating-electrode portion.

Abstract: A neurosurgery system for resecting tissue after administration of a contrast agent to a patient, the system including an electrosurgical instrument for manipulating tissue which generates a fluid sample from the tissue during ablation, an aspiration channel configured to obtain the fluid sample, an analyzer for analyzing the fluid sample, an indicator configured to provide an indication of the presence of a rare earth metal, and a controller configured to instruct the indicator to provide the indication of the presence of the rare earth metal. The analyzer includes a collector coupled to the aspiration channel and configured to receive a portion of the fluid sample from the aspiration channel, a heater configured to atomize the portion of the fluid sample, and a detector configured to measure an absorption of a wavelength corresponding to a rare earth metal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a current difference between at least two primary current paths in a current sensor integrated circuit package. Each primary current path generated a magnetic field which may then be measured by at least one magnetic field sensing element positioned on an integrated circuit die. An output disconnect signal may be provided from the current sensor integrated circuit package when a current difference above a predetermined threshold exists in the two or more current traces.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool for conveying electrical energy comprising an elongated electrode extending in an axial direction from a proximal electrode end to a distal electrode end. The distal electrode end defining a working end configured for cutting or coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy received by the electrosurgical tool. At least one layer of an insulation material covering an outer surface of the working end so that a portion of the outer surface of the working end is not covered by the insulation material. When electrical energy is provided to the elongated electrode, current is only conducted through an exposed portion of the outer surface of the working end. At least one layer of the insulation material prevents current from straying from the outer surface of the working end covered with the insulation material.

Abstract: A software system and method for managing creation, management and print production of a production asset comprising a content management module and a print production manager integrated with the content management module includes a web browser-based drag-and-drop interface provided at a user location for defining a workflow for the production asset. The system includes a central repository for storing the production assets in which the print production management system uses the same copy of the production asset as is used by the content management module.

Abstract: A key hiding device having a facade that resembles a typical sprinkler is provided. The device includes a housing having a cavity therein and a cap that detachably engages with the housing. Keys and other small items can be hidden inside the cavity in the housing. The device can be installed underground with the cap disposed substantially flush with the surface of the soil. The cap has a facade that is substantially identical to a typical pop-up sprinkler cap so that a person who is not familiar with the exact location of the device would be unable to make a quick determination as to which one of the numerous sprinkler caps is actually the key hiding device even if the person is aware of sprinkler shaped key hiding devices.

Abstract: Conversion of a data in a variable field message to a fixed format message. The variable field message has a varying length and fields of varying types of data. The corresponding fixed format message has fields of a fixed data type and length, which facilitates parsing and processing data from the variable field message. Customers for the data conversion or other processing are load balanced among multiple servers sharing load level information.

Abstract: Conversion of a data in a variable field message to a fixed format message. The variable field message has a varying length and fields of varying types of data. The corresponding fixed format message has fields of a fixed data type and length, which facilitates parsing and processing data from the variable field message. Customers for the data conversion or other processing are load balanced among multiple servers sharing load level information.