Abstract: A method comprises grasping material between a pair of jaw members of a medical instrument; sensing light transmitted from the material grasped between the pair of jaw members to a location exterior to the pair of jaw members; and altering a grasping force exerted by the pair of jaw members on the material being grasped based on the sensing of the light transmitted.

Abstract: A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft; an image capture device; and a controller operably coupled to the image capture device to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data is from images of material gripped between jaw members of the jaw assembly and captured by the image capture device, with the controller programmed to process the received image data using at least one of optical flow and digital image correlation. A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces configured to grasp material between the opposing surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the opposing surface of a first jaw member of the pair of jaw members is transparent.

Abstract: A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft; an image capture device; and a controller operably coupled to the image capture device to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data is from images of material gripped between jaw members of the jaw assembly and captured by the image capture device, with the controller programmed to process the received image data using at least one of optical flow and digital image correlation. A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces configured to grasp material between the opposing surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the opposing surface of a first jaw member of the pair of jaw members is transparent.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. Sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component can include a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, and an optical sensor. The temperature, pH, color, and turbidity of the synovial fluid can be correlated to a variety of joint conditions. Measurements over time can be analyzed for trends. The temperature, pH, color, and tubidity can be calibrated for the patient. The measurements are compared against this patient reference.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.

Abstract: An orthopedic system to monitor a parameter related to the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The orthopedic system includes electronic circuitry, a sensor, and a remote system to monitor and measure. The sensor is configured to measure color or turbidity. The electronic circuitry is coupled to and interfaces with the sensor. The electronic circuit includes a transmitter to transmit measurement data from the sensor to the remote system. The orthopedic system is configured to monitor color or turbidity of a fluid in proximity to the muscular-skeletal system. The orthopedic system can transmit a signal when a predetermined color is detected or when the turbidity of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value. Alternatively, the remote system includes a processor and software configured to analyze the measurement data from the sensor and transmit a signal when a predetermined color is detected or when the turbidity of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. Sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component can include a temperature sensor or a pH sensor. The temperature or pH of the synovial fluid can be correlated to a variety of joint conditions. Measurements over time can be analyzed for trends. The temperature or pH can be calibrated for the patient. For example, calibration can be for temperature or pH of a patient healthy joint. The measurements are compared against this patient reference.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.

Abstract: An orthopedic system to monitor a parameter related to the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The orthopedic system includes electronic circuitry, a sensor, and a remote system to monitor and measure. The sensor is configured to measure color or turbidity. The electronic circuitry is coupled to and interfaces with the sensor. The electronic circuit includes a transmitter to transmit measurement data from the sensor to the remote system. The orthopedic system is configured to monitor color or turbidity of a fluid in proximity to the muscular-skeletal system. The orthopedic system can transmit a signal when a predetermined color is detected or when the turbidity of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value. Alternatively, the remote system includes a processor and software configured to analyze the measurement data from the sensor and transmit a signal when a predetermined color is detected or when the turbidity of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. Sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component can include a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, and an optical sensor. The temperature, pH, color, and turbidity of the synovial fluid can be correlated to a variety of joint conditions. Measurements over time can be analyzed for trends. The temperature, pH, color, and tubidity can be calibrated for the patient. The measurements are compared against this patient reference.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component includes a transmissive region. One or more optical sensors are mounted in proximity to the transmissive region. Periodic measurements of the synovial fluid are measured through the transmissive region. The measurements can include color and turbidity of the synovial fluid. The color and turbidity data can be compared against known data to determine joint status.