Abstract: Minimally invasive surgical systems and corresponding methods that can be quickly and accurately calibrated and/or provided in a pre-calibrated manner are disclosed. The systems and method receive an indication designating at least one portion of the surgical site as a safe or a danger zone and display the designated zone(s) on a livestream of the surgical site. The designated zones identify locations where the surgical instrument should avoid (danger zone), or where the surgical instrument is intended to be placed for the surgery or where the one or more surgical instruments can be safely maneuvered (safe zone and dissection zone).

Abstract: Minimally invasive surgical systems and corresponding methods that can be quickly and accurately calibrated and/or provided in a pre-calibrated manner are disclosed. The systems and method receive an indication designating at least one portion of the surgical site as a safe or a danger zone and display the designated zone(s) on a livestream of the surgical site. The designated zones identify locations where the surgical instrument should avoid (danger zone), or where the surgical instrument is intended to be placed for the surgery or where the one or more surgical instruments can be safely maneuvered (safe zone and dissection zone).

Abstract: A method of utilizing a distractor in a joint replacement procedure is provided. The method includes releasably engaging a datum to a datum securement of the distractor and gripping a handle of the distractor in an insertion position. The handle includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion. The method includes disposing a paddle of a tissue engaging portion of the distractor against a tissue surface and adjusting the handle from the insertion position to the distraction position to thereby independently move the paddle with respect to both the second handle portion and the first handle portion such that the paddle remains at a generally constant angle against the tissue surface as the tissue surface is distracted. The paddle is attached directly and exclusively to a distal tip of the second handle portion such that the paddle pivots about an axis transverse to a length of the handle.

Abstract: This disclosure provides techniques for executing a software program by separating a dynamic link editor from a process executing the software program. For example, the dynamic link editor can reside outside of the process being dynamically linked and would perform dynamic linking operations for the process before the process executes its first instruction. Such techniques optionally complement or replace other methods for executing a software program.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a distractor in a joint replacement procedure is provided. The method includes releasably engaging a datum to a datum securement of the distractor and gripping a handle of the distractor in an insertion position. The handle includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion. The method includes disposing a paddle of a tissue engaging portion of the distractor against a tissue surface and adjusting the handle from the insertion position to the distraction position to thereby independently move the paddle with respect to both the second handle portion and the first handle portion such that the paddle remains at a generally constant angle against the tissue surface as the tissue surface is distracted. The paddle is attached directly and exclusively to a distal tip of the second handle portion such that the paddle pivots about an axis transverse to a length of the handle.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of alignment for resection of tissue including obtaining a surgical device comprising an alignment guide, a first guide structure and a second guide structure; securing the alignment guide to a bone, the alignment guide including a positioning block; placing the first guide structure onto the positioning block of the alignment guide; viewing a target location of a first resection plane on the bone using the first guide structure; adjusting the target location of the first resection plane by adjusting a position of the first guide structure; attaching the second guide structure to the first guide structure; viewing a target location of a second resection plane on the bone using the second guide structure; and adjusting the target location of the second resection plane by adjusting a position of the second guide structure.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of alignment for resection of tissue including obtaining a surgical device comprising an alignment guide, a first guide structure and a second guide structure; securing the alignment guide to a bone, the alignment guide including a positioning block; placing the first guide structure onto the positioning block of the alignment guide; viewing a target location of a first resection plane on the bone using the first guide structure; adjusting the target location of the first resection plane by adjusting a position of the first guide structure; attaching the second guide structure to the first guide structure; viewing a target location of a second resection plane on the bone using the second guide structure; and adjusting the target location of the second resection plane by adjusting a position of the second guide structure.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a tissue resection guide that includes a central body, a first flange and a second flange, the flanges having first and second guide surfaces, respectively, suitable for use in tissue resection. Each guide surface lies on a cutting plane, both planes intersecting interior to the flanges. In the embodiments described, the availability of two cutting planes ensures resections in more than one plane are possible. As a result, bone segments can be removed via a cut on two planes without the need to cut across an entire section of bone on one plane. In some embodiments, an opening exists between the first flange and the second flange to ensure that each resection overlaps. In other aspects of the invention, systems and methods of use for the tissue resection guide are described.

Abstract: A heating cable and associated heating blanket. The heating cable comprises conductors extending along the length of the cable separated by a separation layer. The conductors and separation layer may be coaxial. The conductors are connected at one end of the cable in series such that if the conductors are connected at the other end of the cable to respective poles of a power supply equal currents flow in opposite directions through adjacent portions of the conductors, substantially eliminating electromagnetic radiation from the cable. One conductor has a positive temperature characteristic and the separation layer has either a negative temperature characteristic or melts at a predetermined threshold temperature. Power may be modulated in response to variations in the resistance of the positive temperature co-efficient conductor. Power to the cable may be terminated in the event of current flowing through the separation layer exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: Acoustic sensors, preferably surface acoustic wave sensors, and more preferably shear horizontal surface acoustic wave sensors that include soluble mixed with oligomers and/or polymers formed from such monomers), or multifunctional compounds, for example, that can function as either waveguide materials, immobilization materials for secondary capture agents (e.g., antibodies), or both.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for DNA mutation detection including the steps of PCR amplification using preferably Pho DNA polymerase, hybridization, and analysis by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), the method preferably utilizing a PCR buffer and other solutions that are compatible with DHPLC analysis. In other aspects, compositions and kits including a proofreading DNA polymerase, preferably Pho DNA polymerase, and a DHPLC compatible PCR buffer are provided.

Abstract: An iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive is provided. This adhesive is prepared by mixing iodine and an iodide salt, individually or in combination, with solubilizing liquids. The iodine and iodide salt are combined with a pre-adhesive composition in a hot melt mixer, with an iodine/iodide complexing agent being present in the mixture. The mixture is mixed at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 200° C. and sufficiently to form an iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive. Alternatively, the iodide may be generated in situ. The adhesive so prepared may be packaged for coating on a substrate at a later time, or may be immediately coated to form an adhesive composite. Adhesive composites, particularly surgical incise drapes, are provided incorporating this hot melt coatable adhesive.