Abstract: A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows the lumen portion to rotate independent of the threaded portion.

Abstract: A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion.

Abstract: A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion.

Abstract: A medical system and an integrated drape assembly for a medical system is provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument that carries a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, a drive unit configured for controlling the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom, a coupling mechanism through which the surgical instrument is operably coupled to the drive unit, and an integrated drape assembly having a drape insert through which the coupling mechanism is coupled to the surgical instrument, a sterile drape covering the coupling mechanism. The drape assembly may comprise a coupling element mounted within the drape insert. The coupling element may be configured for coupling a driver element of the medical system to a driven element of the medical system.

Abstract: A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The threaded portion has an outer surface having a plurality of threads for engaging a hole formed in the patient's skull. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows lumen portion to rotate independent of threaded portion.

Abstract: A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The threaded portion has an outer surface having a plurality of threads for engaging a hole formed in the patient's skull. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows lumen portion to rotate independent of threaded portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a slider mechanism, a surgical instrument coupled to the slider mechanism, and a single cable bundle that couples the slider mechanism and instrument to a driver. The single cable bundle includes a first cable that operates the slider mechanism and thus the instrument with one degree-of-freedom of movement, and a second cable that operates the instrument itself with another degree-of-freedom of movement. The cable bundle is attached to the slider mechanism at a location that is stationary.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a slider mechanism, a surgical instrument coupled to the slider mechanism, and a single cable bundle that couples the slider mechanism and instrument to a driver. The single cable bundle includes a first cable that operates the slider mechanism and thus the instrument with one degree-of-freedom of movement, and a second cable that operates the instrument itself with another degree-of-freedom of movement. The cable bundle is attached to the slider mechanism at a location that is stationary.

Abstract: The present invention provides an introducer element for facilitating the insertion of a medical instrument into a body. The introducer element includes first, second, third and fourth housing areas. The first area contains a first lumen and the second area contains a second lumen. A quantity of peel-away tubing is partially disposed within the second lumen. The first and second lumen are separated from each other in the first and second housing areas, but are merged into one lumen in either the third or fourth housing area by a guide/splitting tube.