Abstract: A device for automatic suturing includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The shaft has a joint rotatable about a joint axis which is at an angle>0° to the longitudinal axis. The device includes a clamp at a distal end of the shaft. The clamp is configured to be positioned over a length of tissue to be sutured. A driver is configured to engage with a screw of the shaft so that the driver translates along a length of the shaft when the driver is rotated. A helical needle is connected to the driver such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the helical needle. In this way, the needle is advanced or retracted over a length of the clamp and over the joint of the shaft.

Abstract: A nebulizer for medicament is provided. The nebulizer includes a cup having an interior surface. An axle is attached to the cup at least at a location along a central axis of the cup such that rotation of the axle causes a rotation of the cup about the central axis. A fan is operably attached to the axle and configured to generate a flow of air adjacent to the cup. A drum is disposed around a circumference of the cup, and configured to contain the generated flow of air near the cup. A conduit is configured to receive liquid medicament and deposit such medicament on a surface of the cup.

Abstract: A method includes engaging a clamp over a length of tissue to be sutured. A helical needle is advanced along a length of the clamp such that the helical needle passes through the tissue to be sutured. A leading end of a suturing thread is attached at a tip of the helical needle. The leading end of the suturing thread is captured. The helical needle is retracted back through the tissue so as to leave the thread in place. The clamp is disengaged from the tissue. A device for automatic suturing includes a clamp configured to be positioned over a length of tissues to be sutured. A helical needle is configured to be advanced and retracted along a length of the clamp. The needle has a tip. A suturing thread having a leading end is attached to the tip of the helical needle.

Abstract: Compounds including a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group/moiety and an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group are disclosed. For example, a compound includes a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group or moiety, a linker moiety, an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group, and, optionally, a PET-active functional group. Uses of the compounds, for example, methods of treating a hyperproliferative tissue in an individual, and kits including one or more of the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A cart for dispensing, storing, and tracking medical instruments is provided. The cart has a housing, a first motor, a second motor, one or more trays, and a processor. The trays hold one or more medical instruments, and have a door and door opening assembly. The processor is in communication with the motors for rotating the housing and opening the doors. The processor has a storage medium for storing the cart's instrument dispensing history. The processor also has a user interface for capturing user input.

Abstract: A spacer for an inhaler includes a housing defining a chamber. The housing has an ambient port in fluid communication with ambient air, an inhaler port configured for attachment of an inhaler, and an outlet. The spacer further includes a fan for generating a flow of air through the chamber from the ambient port to the outlet. The fan may be powered by way of a spring such that the fan generates the flow of air as stored energy is released from a spring. Embodiments of the spacer may have an actuator for triggering a release of stored energy from the spring thereby actuating the fan. A mask or mouthpiece may be provided at the outlet.

Abstract: Compounds including a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group/moiety and an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group are disclosed. For example, a compound includes a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group or moiety, a linker moiety, an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group, and, optionally, a PET-active functional group. Uses of the compounds, for example, methods of treating a hyperproliferative tissue in an individual, and kits including one or more of the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of cancer are provided. The methods are based on the use of both NIR photosensitizer(s) and chemotherapy agent(s). The NIR photosensitizers have a tetrapyrrolic core or reduced tetrapyrrolic core. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising NIR photosensitizer(s) and chemotherapy agent(s). Also provided are kits comprising NIR photosensitizer(s) and chemotherapy agent(s) and instructions for their use.

Abstract: A cart for dispensing, storing, and tracking medical instruments is provided. The cart has a housing, a first motor, a second motor, one or more trays, and a processor. The trays hold one or more medical instruments, and have a door and door opening assembly. The processor is in communication with the motors for rotating the housing and opening the doors. The processor has a storage medium for storing the cart's instrument dispensing history. The processor also has a user interface for capturing user input.

Abstract: An intubation simulator and method are disclosed. The simulator includes a human mannequin with a mouth and a sensorized conduit. A glide scope disposed in the sensorized conduit. A first manipulator and a second manipulator are connected to the glide scope by way of a linkage. A method for simulating intubation is disclosed, where an intubation simulator is provided, computer-based instructions are provided to cause a first and second manipulator of the simulator to simulate the haptic environment of a human through the glide scope. A sensorized conduit of the simulator is used to sense a position of a tracheal tube being placed during the simulated intubation.

Abstract: A device for removing viscous or semi-viscous material from an individual is disclosed. The device uses suction which may be provided by a vacuum source. The device includes a tube. The tube has a proximal opening and a distal opening, and a first stop at a first lengthwise position on an inner wall of the tube. The distal opening is in pneumatic communication with the vacuum source. The device also includes an agitator rotatably disposed in the tube. The agitator has a helical blade, a first end, and a second end. The first end is configured to engage the first stop such that the agitator is rotatable about the axis of the helical blade while being at a substantially fixed position along the length of the tube.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has connected strips that are configured to surround an organ, such as a kidney. The surgical apparatus at least partially mechanically occludes fluid flow into, out of or within part of the organ. Each strip is individually inflatable. Tubes deliver fluid to the strips. Each of the tubes is connected to one of the strips.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a method of minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) training using a video of an MIS comprising the steps of providing a processor, a display, and a first input device. The method comprises the step of processing the video using the processor to determine a location of the first surgical tool in each of the frames, determining whether the configuration of the first input device substantially corresponds to the location of the first surgical tool in each frame of the video while the video is displayed. The present invention may be embodied as a system for MIS training. The system comprises a processor, a communication device, and a first input device in communication with the processor. The processor is programmed perform any or all of the described disclosed methods.

Abstract: A system and method for training a person in minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) utilizing a video of the MIS. The system comprises a processor, a display, and a first interaction device. The processor programmed to receive the video and to obtain tracking data. The tracking data may correspond to the motion of a tool controller. The tracking data may correspond to motion of a first surgical tool in the video. The processor programmed to calculate motion of the first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, to display the video, and to cause the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion. The method comprises receiving the video, obtaining the tracking data, calculating a motion of a first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, displaying the video, and causing the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion.

Abstract: An intubation simulator and method are disclosed. The simulator includes a human mannequin with a mouth and a sensorized conduit. A glide scope disposed in the sensorized conduit. A first manipulator and a second manipulator are connected to the glide scope by way of a linkage. A method for simulating intubation is disclosed, where an intubation simulator is provided, computer-based instructions are provided to cause a first and second manipulator of the simulator to simulate the haptic environment of a human through the glide scope. A sensorized conduit of the simulator is used to sense a position of a tracheal tube being placed during the simulated intubation.

Abstract: A computer-based method includes receiving a video feed of a surgical procedure; identifying a current step of the surgical procedure using the video feed and an electronic surgical database; and determining an expected next step of the surgical procedure. A similarity of the expected next step with the actual next step of the surgical procedure may be determined, and an alert and/or surgical guidance may be provided based on the similarity (or lack of). A system for surgical-guidance is disclosed, the system having a storage unit with an electronic surgical database; a surgery image identification unit for analyzing a video feed to determine characteristic data; a mapping unit for matching a database record based on the characteristic data; an alignment unit for mapping matched database records with a stored surgical procedure; and a surgery prediction unit for determining a predicted next surgical step.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a lens is disclosed. The device includes a shaft, a head having multiple prongs, a cleaning material disposed between the prongs, and a handle extending from the shaft. The handle has an actuator in communication with the prongs to move the prongs from a collapsed state to an expanded state. Also disclosed is a cartridge for use with the device. The cartridge includes a cartridge head configured for removable attachment to the device, two or more prongs, and a wipe. The head has a fixed pivot pin and a slide pin movable by the actuator. Each prong has a pivot aperture configured to engage with the pivot pin and a slot aperture configured to engage with the slide pin such that the corresponding prong will be urged to rotate about the pivot pin when the slide pin is moved by the actuator.

Abstract: A device for removing viscous or semi-viscous material from an individual is disclosed. The device uses suction which may be provided by a vacuum source. The device includes a tube. The tube has a proximal opening and a distal opening, and a first stop at a first lengthwise position on an inner wall of the tube. The distal opening is in pneumatic communication with the vacuum source. The device also includes an agitator rotatably disposed in the tube. The agitator has a helical blade, a first end, and a second end. The first end is configured to engage the first stop such that the agitator is rotatable about the axis of the helical blade while being at a substantially fixed position along the length of the tube.

Abstract: A system and method for training a person in minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) utilizing a video of the MIS. The system comprises a processor, a display, and a first interaction device. The processor programmed to receive the video and to obtain tracking data. The tracking data may correspond to the motion of a tool controller. The tracking data may correspond to motion of a first surgical tool in the video. The processor programmed to calculate motion of the first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, to display the video, and to cause the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion. The method comprises receiving the video, obtaining the tracking data, calculating a motion of a first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, displaying the video, and causing the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a method of minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) training using a video of an MIS comprising the steps of providing a processor, a display, and a first input device. The method comprises the step of processing the video using the processor to determine a location of the first surgical tool in each of the frames, determining whether the configuration of the first input device substantially corresponds to the location of the first surgical tool in each frame of the video while the video is displayed. The present invention may be embodied as a system for MIS training. The system comprises a processor, a communication device, and a first input device in communication with the processor. The processor is programmed perform any or all of the described disclosed methods.