Abstract: A quick lock and release clamp mountable onto the bedrail of an operating table, hospital bed, and the like. The clamp includes a body, a foot, and a mouth having at least three sides defined by the body and foot. A biasing member is coupled to at least one of the body and the foot, wherein an actuating member coupled to the biasing member is configured to transmit a force to the mouth via the biasing member. A protrusion extending from the body and towards the foot engages the bedrail, thereby fixing the clamp onto the bedrail, by moving the actuating member in a first direction.

Abstract: A spool valve for controlling fluid communication among hydraulic cylinders operating control and slave portions of a surgical device. The spool valve may be used to disconnect the control and the slave portions from one another such that there is no fluid communication between the control and slave portions. The spool valve may be used to engage or allow fluid communication between the control and slave. The spool valve may also be used to allow fluid communication between the slave and control portion and a fluid reservoir, thus allowing the hydraulic system to replenish fluid lost to evaporation, leakage, or other escape. The spool valve includes a body portion having at least two ports and a spool having at least one passageway moveable to a position so as to communicate with the at least two ports.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering and arranging a data set. The data set is initially accessed, the data set including includes a set of diagnostic test values and one or more outcomes for each of a plurality of patients. A first and second patient data set is retrieved from the data set. A first set of diagnostic test values are selected from the first patient data set, and a second set of diagnostic text values are selected from the second patient data set. The diagnostic test values are normalized and ordered, and equations are created describing the normalized and ordered test values. A processing device compares the created equations to determine a treatment plan for the first patient based upon determined similarities to the second patient.

Abstract: A method, system and device time resolved information compression. One or more detectors receive a plurality of protons, and a processing device resolves the received plurality of photons into a sample signal shown in a time domain. The processing device transforms the received plurality of photons as shown in the time domain into a frequency response shown in a frequency domain based upon a rate of detection of the plurality of photons and isolates a frequency peak position in the frequency response. The processing device further converts the frequency peak position into projection data.

Abstract: A method for improved, automated analysis of a data set improves the reliability of the data set by comparing the data set with a model of similar data. The method may be used in applications such as medical imaging, clinical trial participant selection, marketing, security, traffic control, and other applications.

Abstract: A method for achieving code domain isolation. A first set of data is received in a first domain format. The first set of data is changed to a second domain format. The first set of data in the second domain format is captured. The first set of data in the second domain format is changed to a third domain format. The first set of data in the third domain format is prepared for receipt by a user computer system.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.

Abstract: A remotely controlled surgical device control portion comprises a user moveable bi-directional trigger, a finger loop disposed within the trigger, and a flange coupled to the finger loop. The trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions. The motion input is for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument. The finger loop is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of a user squeezing the trigger in the first direction with at least one finger or pushing the trigger in the second direction with said at least one finger. The flange is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of pushing the trigger in the second direction with a thumb.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imager for forming images of a moving portion of a patient includes imaging coils. The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to apply continuously steady-state free precession to k-space of a magnetic resonance image series of the patient and acquire the image series, and generates images from the image series. A method for forming images of a moving portion of a patient includes the steps of applying continuously steady-state free precession to k-space of a magnetic resonance image series of a patient. There is the step of acquiring the image series. There is the step of generating images from the image series. A method for forming images of a patient includes the steps of triggering a steady-state free precision imaging sequence to an ECG r wave of cardiac cycles of the patient.

Abstract: A method and system for biological information assessment receives uses a set of grouped historic medical test results to generate testing protocol recommendations medical test results for a new patient. Each medical test result represents a measured observation of a portion of a historic patient's body using a first medical testing modality. A score is generated for each of the historic patients based on the results. Based upon the generated scores, the historic patients are grouped into a set of groups corresponding to a range of assessment parameters. When a medical test result is received for a new patient, the medical test result is compared to the range of assessment parameters to determine which of the groups the new patient should be assigned. The new patient is assigned to the determined group and a recommendation for an additional medical testing protocol is generated.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element, comprising: a base housing extending along a first longitudinal axis towards a base end; an operational housing extending along a second longitudinal axis towards an operational end; an operational element moveably connected to the operational housing; a joint assembly movably connecting the base housing and the operational housing; wherein the joint assembly allows relative movement of the operational housing and the base housing between a first position and a second position, wherein a point of intersection between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis moves during movement between the first position and the second position; a driver assembly moveably supported by the base housing and the operational housing; and wherein the driver assembly is configured to actuate the operational element relative to the operational housing.

Abstract: A system for exchanging at least one end tool includes at least one tool exchange device for retaining each of the at least one end tool and at least one operating instrument engageable with each of the at least one end tool. The tool exchange device includes a tool retaining mechanism having an opening and a plurality of engagement features to enable mutually exclusive engagement and disengagement of the tool retaining mechanism with each of the at least one tool. Each of the at least one tool is receivable in the opening and has a biasing member engageable with the plurality of engagement features for at least one of biasing to an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A joint and a corresponding method of creating a precision-fit joint, including creating a mating surface on a first joint component so that the mating surface includes one or more interfering features, connecting a second joint component with the mating surface such that the interfering feature is compressed, and heating the mating surface above a glass transition temperature or melting temperature of the mating surface, or otherwise treating the surface, so as to induce flow of material from the interfering feature to a area of relatively low pressure between the first joint component and the second joint component.

Abstract: An articulating device for aiding a user, such as, a surgeon or other medical practitioner, in manipulating a hand-actuated articulating device by providing a powered force used for moving the device, thus reducing or eliminating the need for the user to provide all the force required to move the device. The articulating device includes an input device, which receives one or more user inputs to direct a slave portion to perform work. The articulating device further includes a control portion that assists in transferring user input to the slave portion, and that further provides power assistance to at least partially drive the slave portion, in combination with the user input received by the input device.

Abstract: A spool valve for controlling fluid communication among hydraulic cylinders operating control and slave portions of a surgical device. The spool valve may be used to disconnect the control and the slave portions from one another such that there is no fluid communication between the control and slave portions. The spool valve may be used to engage or allow fluid communication between the control and slave. The spool valve may also be used to allow fluid communication between the slave and control portion and a fluid reservoir, thus allowing the hydraulic system to replenish fluid lost to evaporation, leakage, or other escape. The spool valve includes a body portion having at least two ports and a spool having at least one passageway moveable to a position so as to communicate with the at least two ports.

Abstract: An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller in communication with the imaging coils and the receiving coils which controls the imaging coils and the receiving coils to sample k space associated with a patient in a pattern based on prior knowledge of k space data, and which reconstructs an image of the patient from the sampled k space. A method of an MRI includes the steps of acquiring preliminary k space data of a patient indicating the extent of k space data for all receiver channels using imaging and receiving coils. There is the step of determining with a controller which regions of signal associated with the k space are to be targeted by multiple acquisition blades of data with the imaging and receiver coils based on the preliminary k space. There is the step of sampling each of the regions determined by the controller with the blades to obtain k space data. There is the step of storing the k space data in a memory.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.

Abstract: An overforce mechanism comprising a driving assembly, a driven assembly, and a variably engageable coupling, shunts or dampens a motion of a control cylinder for a hydraulic device when that motion exceeds a predefined, unsafe threshold. The overforce mechanism avoids or reduces damage either to the device itself, to ancillary devices and/or to the patient. In an aspect, the variably engageable coupling may include a biasing mechanism and a coupling member, wherein the biasing mechanism automatically resets or releases upon reaching a force or tension threshold. Further, the overforce driven assembly may include an overforce rod that allows the force or motion to be channeled away from the source. The variably engageable coupling may comprise a dowel and spring mechanism that automatically resets with tension.

Abstract: A tool kit for interchanging tools within an at least partially closed area is provided. The tool kit includes at least one tool, each tool being preferably provided within a tubular housing, and adapted to pivot out from the tool kit so that they can be attached to a receiving tool. The tool is designed to be returned to the tool kit after use, and if desired, switched with a different tool. In one embodiment, a surgical system permitting surgical tools to be interchanged within a patient's body is provided. A method of interchanging surgical tools within a patient's body is also provided.

Abstract: A process and a system for assisting a clinician in identification and evaluation of perfusion characteristics of an organ are disclosed. The process and system may be used to extend clinical diagnosis capabilities by augmenting the ability to analyze perfusion images acquired from a radiology imaging modality through the use of the quantification technology as described. Classification of perfusion characteristics of a region of interest is facilitated through the use of a quantitative spatial perfusion characteristics map. The map is generated by a computing device which applies at least one physics-based image processing technique. This map is displayed on a clinician device for review by the clinician to assist in the spatial identification of perfusion abnormalities.