Abstract: Various aspects of methods, systems, and use cases may be used to generate and display a real-time a composite image, such as in a manner that extracts a non-occluded portion of a first image corresponding to an occluded portion of a second image and replaces the occluded portion with the non-occluded portion. In some examples, a graphical representation of an instrument may be generated on the composite image.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a medical instrument using a medical apparatus includes a catheter, a medical instrument assembly, and an imaging assembly. The catheter has a first working channel terminating with a first distal exit, and a second working channel terminating with a second distal exit. The medical instrument assembly has a medical instrument adapted to be housed within the first working channel and adapted to be extendable through the first distal exit to an extended position beyond the first distal exit to intercept a target tissue. The imaging assembly includes an imaging device adapted to be housed within the second working channel and is extendable through the second distal exit to an extended position beyond the second distal exit. The imaging device is adapted to generate an image in an image plane of the distal end of the medical instrument when the distal end of the medical instrument is extended out the first distal exit.

Abstract: A bionic digit (1) that comprises an intermediate portion (15), a tip portion (23) and a hinge (27.29) connecting the tip portion (23) to the intermediate portion (15). The bionic digit (1) further comprises a linear actuator assembly (45) located within the intermediate portion (15) that is connected to the intermediate portion (15) and to the tip portion (23).

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic socket (10) having a longitudinal axis X for attachment to a limb of a patient having first and second sides (A, B) which comprises a first portion (20) having a first edge (22), a second edge (24) a first end (26) and a second end (28) and second portion (30) having a first edge (32) a second edge (34) a first end (36) and a second edge (38). A hinge (40) is connecting the first edge (22) of the first portion (20) to the first edge (32) of the second portion (30) and a clasp (50) is provided between the second edge (24) of the first portion (20) and the second edge (34) of the second portion (30). Such an arrangement allows for a prosthetic socket (10) to be more easily attached and removed to a patients limb.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic device (10) having an anchor portion (30) in combination with a base portion (12) which is connected to the anchor portion (30). An elongate digit (14) is coupled to a first portion of a pivot connection (16a) mounted on the base portion (12), whilst a second portion of a pivot connection (16b) is mounted on the proximal end (14a) of the digit (14) and is connected to the first portion (16a) of the pivot connection (16). A linear actuator (40) within the elongate digit (14) has a first portion (40a) secured to the elongate digit (14) for movement therewith and a second portion (40b) remote therefrom and axially movable relative thereto and is operable with said pivot connection (16) to cause pivotal movement of the digit (14) around the pivot connection (16a, 16b) upon axial movement of the second portion (40b) of the linear actuator (40).

Abstract: The disclosed technology teaches testing an autonomous vehicle: shielding a GNSS receiving antenna of the vehicle from ambient GNSS signals while the vehicle is under test and supplanting the ambient GNSS signals with simulated GNSS signals. Testing includes using a GNSS signal generating system: receiving the ambient GNSS signals using an antenna of the system and determining a location and acceleration of the vehicle from the GNSS signals, accessing a model of an augmented environment that includes multi-pathing and obscuration of the GNSS signals along a test path, based on the determined location—generating the simulated GNSS signals to feed to the vehicle, in real time—simulating at least one constellation of GNSS satellite sources modified according to the augmented environment, based on the determined location, and feeding the simulated signals to a receiver in the vehicle, thereby supplanting ambient GNSS as the autonomous vehicle travels along the test path.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

Abstract: A medical assembly and method of use includes a catheter, a medical instrument and a navigation system. A localization element is attached to a handle of the catheter. A localization element is attached to a handle of the medical instrument. The localization elements are detectable by the navigation system. The medical instrument includes a needle, when the needle is positioned entirely within a working channel of the catheter, a tip of the needle is in an unextended position and the location elements are in a zeroed out position. When the needle tip extends out of the working channel to an extended position, the location elements are in an extension position. In the extension position the distance between the location elements is less than in the zeroed out position. The difference between the zeroed out position and the extension position is displayed on a display as a needle stroke value.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly including a handle assembly having a first handle portion and a second handle portion proximate the second end, wherein the second handle portion is slidably engaged with the first handle portion. A first localization element is attached to the first handle portion and a second localization element is attached to the second handle portion. A medical instrument is mechanically coupled to the second handle portion and a translation of the second handle portion with respect to the first handle portion causes a coincident and coextensive translation of the medical instrument. The amount of translation of the medical instrument is adapted to be determined by calculating the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. The first and second localization elements may be electromagnetic sensors which positions may be determined by a navigation system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing residential care and health is disclosed. The method includes providing a residential unit which is transported to a location proximate a residence of a primary health provider. The residential unit is then positioned on a plurality of height adjustable pads which function to retain the residential unit in place and substantially restrict any horizontal movement of the residential unit relative to the underlying ground. The resident is then introduced into the residential unit. The unit is fitted with telemetric monitoring equipment adapted to monitor and relay information regarding the resident's health, vital signs, movement to a remotely located care provider. Upon the resident obtaining a condition which no longer requires the monitoring of his health and vital signs, the residential unit is transported away from the location.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a rigid paperboard product comprising at least one modified starch and at least one crosslinker, wherein the at least one modified starch is present in an amount ranging from 2% to 20% by weight of the paperboard product, wherein the at least one crosslinker is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 8% by weight based on the dry weight of the starch content in the paperboard product, and wherein the paperboard product has a rigidity value ranging from 375 to 500.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC power to AC power. For example, apparatus for converting DC power to AC power comprises an input adapted to be coupled to a high-powered distributed generator having a maximum voltage at a first voltage and an arc fault mitigation device, coupled to the input, for providing a second voltage at the input that is lower than the first voltage, where a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is not large enough to cause an arc.

Abstract: A medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

Abstract: A local extension method for segmentation of anatomical treelike structures includes receiving an initial segmentation of 3D image data including an initial treelike structure. A target point in the 3D image data is defined, and a region of interest based on the target point is extracted to create a sub-image. Highly tubular voxels are detected in the sub-image, and a spillage-constrained region growing is performed using the highly tubular voxels as seed points. Connected components are extracted from the results of the region growing. The extracted components are pruned to discard components not likely to be connected to the initial treelike structure, keeping only candidate components likely to be a valid sub-tree of the initial treelike structure. The candidate components are connected to the initial treelike structure, thereby extending the initial segmentation in the region of interest.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. An introducer canula and a cryoprobe are inserted the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe is cooled and an ice ball is formed. The cryoprobe is removed while the ice ball is still frozen, and an ultrasound catheter is inserted. Ultrasound generated within the ice ball is used to determine the distance from the ultrasound catheter to a perimeter of the ice ball. This is repeated at different angles to model a slice of the ice ball. The ultrasound catheter is moved radially, and the process is repeated to create a model of at least a portion of the ice ball. The ice ball model can be displayed on a registered set of images representing the targeted tissue to ensure that the tissue lies within the treatment zone of the ice ball.