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: Method and processes for segmentation of lungs lobes from CT image data are disclosed. Lobe segmentation relies on other segmentations, including the lungs, the lung airways and vasculature. Segmentation methods and processes begin with the acquisition of 3-D image data such as from a high resolution CT scan of a patient's lungs or at least a region thereof. The image is then processed to provide a segmentation mask from which the components are extracted to identify the lungs and airway. Lung vasculature and lobes are identified by similar processes.

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 linear actuator assembly housed within a bionic digit, which comprises a base portion, an intermediate portion and an end portion; the intermediate portion pivotally connected to the base portion at one end and pivotally connected to the end portion at the opposite end. The linear actuator assembly includes a drive mechanism; a carriage mechanism having a longitudinal axis (L); a transmission member for transmitting rotational force from the drive mechanism to the carriage mechanism; and a drive member coupled to the carriage mechanism. The carriage mechanism converts the rotational force into an axial force applied to the drive member, moving the drive member along the axis as the carriage mechanism rotates. The drive member is pivotally connected to the end portion.

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: 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: An obturator assembly includes an obturator at least partially positionable within a lumen of a device. The obturator has a distal end with a tip portion and an opposing proximal end. A sensor assembly is at the tip portion. The sensor assembly is configured to sense one or more environmental characteristics and to generate one or more signals representative of the one or more environmental characteristics. A hub is operatively coupled to the obturator. The hub is also operatively coupled to electronic circuitry that is coupled in signal communication with the sensor assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry is configured to receive the one or more signals from the sensor assembly and transmit the one or more signals to remote reception circuitry and/or display a datum representative of the one or more environmental characteristics on a display of the hub.

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 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: The present invention provides A prosthetic device (10) having an anchor portion (30) in combination with a base portion (12) which is connected to said 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 thereby to cause pivotal movement of said digit (14) around said pivot connection (16a, 16b) upon axial movement of said second portion (40b) of said linear actuator (40).

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: 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 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 typography system modifies the shape of a subject character in a line of text based on neighboring characters to the left and right of the subject character. At least one font definition file comprises a plurality of character definitions that each represents one of the characters in the font. Each character definition includes a plurality of alternate forms that are each associated with at least one left neighboring character and at least one right neighboring character. A font adjustment module receives as an input a character to be output, at least one left neighboring character, and at least one right neighboring character. The font adjustment module then selects from the plurality of alternate forms a selected form that is associated with the at least one left neighboring character and the at least one right neighboring character. The font adjustment module then outputs the selected form of the character.

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, 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 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 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.

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.