Abstract: An ergonomic adjustment mechanism comprising a vertical adjustment mechanism to move master robotic arms along a vertical axis. An exemplary vertical adjustment mechanism includes a main shaft extended along a horizontal axis between a first end and a second end, where the horizontal axis may be perpendicular to the vertical axis. The vertical adjustment mechanism further includes a linear actuator coupled to the horizontal beam to actuate a translational movement of the horizontal beam along the vertical axis. The ergonomic adjustment mechanism further includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism to move exemplary master robotic arms along the horizontal axis. The horizontal adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal sliding rail that is mounted on the horizontal beam. Master robotic arms may be slidably mounted on the sliding rail, where the master robotic arms are slidable on the sliding rail along the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laparoscopic instrument. The method includes grasping a target utilizing the laparoscopic instrument by applying an initial trigger force to a trigger of the laparoscopic instrument, obtaining an updated trigger force based on a first pinch force, a second pinch force, and a state of the laparoscopic instrument, and grasping the target utilizing the laparoscopic instrument by applying the updated trigger force to the laparoscopic instrument. The first pinch force is applied to the target by an upper jaw of the laparoscopic instrument and the second pinch force is applied to the target by a lower jaw of the laparoscopic instrument.

Abstract: A system for electromagnetic navigation in dental implant placement may include an electromagnetic tracking system that may be configured to track positions and orientations of a plurality of electromagnetic sensors. An exemplary electromagnetic tracking system may include a field generator that may be attached to a dental unit utilizing a positioning arm. An exemplary system may further include a control unit that may be coupled to the electromagnetic tracking system and the positioning arm. The control unit may be configured to receive the tracked positions of the plurality of the electromagnetic sensors from the electromagnetic tracking system and to adjust at least a position or an angular orientation of the field generator to maintain the plurality of the electromagnetic sensors within a volume of interest within the tracking volume.

Abstract: An ergonomic adjustment mechanism comprising a vertical adjustment mechanism to move master robotic arms along a vertical axis. An exemplary vertical adjustment mechanism includes a main shaft extended along a horizontal axis between a first end and a second end, where the horizontal axis may be perpendicular to the vertical axis. The vertical adjustment mechanism further includes a linear actuator coupled to the horizontal beam to actuate a translational movement of the horizontal beam along the vertical axis. The ergonomic adjustment mechanism further includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism to move exemplary master robotic arms along the horizontal axis. The horizontal adjustment mechanism includes a horizontal sliding rail that is mounted on the horizontal beam. Master robotic arms may be slidably mounted on the sliding rail, where the master robotic arms are slidable on the sliding rail along the horizontal axis.

Abstract: An electrochemical chlorine gas sensor is disclosed with a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The working electrode may be coated with a nanoporous gold layer, a first solution comprising an ionic liquid, and a second solution that may be selected from a Nafion solution, a chitosan solution, an agar solution, or combinations thereof. The reference and counter electrodes may be further coated with the ionic liquid.

Abstract: A method for normalization of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The PET scanner includes a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows includes a plurality of actual detectors and an unused area. The method includes acquiring a plurality of lines of response (LORs) by scanning a normalization phantom, obtaining a plurality of actual counts by extracting a plurality of LORs subsets from the plurality of LORs and counting a number of elements in each LORs subset, generating a plurality of virtual detectors in each of the plurality of rows by assigning the unused area to the plurality of virtual detectors, generating a count profile for the plurality of actual detectors, estimating a plurality of virtual counts based on the count profile, and applying a normalization process on the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A method for altering paths of optical photons that pass through a scintillator. The scintillator includes a plurality of vertical sides. The method includes forming a reflective belt inside the scintillator by creating a portion of the reflective belt inside the scintillator on a vertical plane parallel with a vertical side of the plurality of vertical sides. Creating the portion of the reflective belt includes generating a plurality of defects on the vertical plane.

Abstract: A location tracking apparatus and method of tracking are disclosed. The location tracking apparatus includes a tip configured to move on a surface, a tracking instrument, and a frictionless sensor associated with the tip. The tip is configured to undergo a displacement within a limited range when the tip is pushed to the surface, or when the tip is moved away from the surface, so that the tip maintains contact with the surface while moving on the surface. The tracking instrument is configured to generate location data. The frictionless sensor is configured to generate displacement data.

Abstract: A method for surface writing is disclosed. The method includes fabricating a plurality of nanomotors, forming a secondary solution by adding the plurality of nanomotors to a primary solution placed on a substrate, guiding the plurality of nanomotors along a path in the secondary solution, and forming a sol-gel film along the path on a surface of the substrate. Wherein, the primary solution includes a monomer and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Fabricating the plurality of nanomotors includes preparing a mesoporous silica template, forming the plurality of nanomotors within the mesoporous silica template, and separating the plurality of nanomotors from the mesoporous silica template. The mesoporous silica template includes a plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels has a diameter less than about 50 nm and a length of less than about 100 nm, and each nanomotor of the plurality of nanomotors is formed within a channel of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A method and a system for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging capable of performing a rapid acquisition of imaging data. The SPECT imaging system, placed at a fixed radial distance from the center of an object being imaged, includes a gamma detector and a collimator. The collimator, mounted on the gamma detector, includes a plurality of parallel slats, each perpendicular to the surface of the gamma detector. The method implemented by this system rapidly reconstructs a high-resolution and high-sensitivity image.

Abstract: A method for decontamination of nitroarenes including fabricating an exemplary nanomotor and chemically reducing nitroarenes of an acidic solution using the exemplary nanomotor. Fabricating the exemplary nanomotor may include depositing a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles on an Au nanosheet and depositing a plurality of zinc (Zn) nanoparticles on the plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. Chemically reducing the nitroarenes of the acidic solution may include generating hydrogen bubbles in the acidic solution by adding the exemplary nanomotor to the acidic solution and guiding the exemplary nanomotor in the acidic solution by applying a magnetic force to the exemplary nanomotor. Generating the hydrogen bubbles in the acidic solution may include reducing hydrogen ions in the acidic solution through a chemical reaction between the hydrogen ions and the plurality of Zn nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laparoscopic instrument. The method includes grasping a target utilizing the laparoscopic instrument by applying an initial trigger force to a trigger of the laparoscopic instrument, obtaining an updated trigger force based on a first pinch force, a second pinch force, and a state of the laparoscopic instrument, and grasping the target utilizing the laparoscopic instrument by applying the updated trigger force to the laparoscopic instrument. The first pinch force is applied to the target by an upper jaw of the laparoscopic instrument and the second pinch force is applied to the target by a lower jaw of the laparoscopic instrument.

Abstract: An improved method for peak detection in a two-dimensional image is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes one or more of the following steps: generating a smooth image from the two-dimensional image, detecting a plurality of local peaks in the smooth image, detecting a plurality of true peaks among the plurality of local peaks, and generating a peak-detected image from the smooth image. The smooth image includes a plurality of pixels, where each pixel of the plurality of pixels has an intensity level and an address. The address includes a row number and a column number. The peak-detected image includes a first true peaks subset from the plurality of true peaks. In one implementation, the intensity level of each true peak of the first true peaks subset is higher than an intensity threshold. The method further includes localizing at least one true peak of the first true peaks subset in the peak-detected image.

Abstract: A method for normalization of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The PET scanner includes a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows includes a plurality of actual detectors and an unused area. The method includes acquiring a plurality of lines of response (LORs) by scanning a normalization phantom, obtaining a plurality of actual counts by extracting a plurality of LORs subsets from the plurality of LORs and counting a number of elements in each LORs subset, generating a plurality of virtual detectors in each of the plurality of rows by assigning the unused area to the plurality of virtual detectors, generating a count profile for the plurality of actual detectors, estimating a plurality of virtual counts based on the count profile, and applying a normalization process on the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for guiding a biopsy surgical tool are disclosed. One type of surgical device includes a first rotational mechanism, a translational mechanism, and a second rotational mechanism. In some cases, the second rotational mechanism includes a circular frame and an end-effector. The yaw movement of the end-effector is effectuated via the first rotational mechanism. In addition, roll and pitch movements of the end-effector are effectuated via the second rotational mechanism. Furthermore, translational movement of the end-effector is effectuated via the translational mechanism.

Abstract: A method for decontamination of a toxic substance is disclosed. The method includes fabricating a plurality of nanomotors, and putting the plurality of nanomotors in contact with a contaminant solution comprising the toxic substance. Fabricating the plurality of nanomotors includes preparing a mesoporous silica template, forming the plurality of nanomotors within the mesoporous silica template, and separating the plurality of nanomotors from the mesoporous silica template. The mesoporous silica template includes a plurality of channels, where each channel of the plurality of channels have a diameter less than about 50 nm and a length of less than about 100 nm, and each nanomotor of the plurality of nanomotors is formed within a channel of the plurality of channels. Putting the plurality of nanomotors in contact with the contaminant solution includes adding hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the plurality of nanomotors to the contaminant solution.

Abstract: Various robotic guides for a biopsy surgical tool are disclosed, of which one includes a main shaft, an end-effector mounted on a distal end of the main shaft, a roll/yaw actuating mechanism, a translational actuating mechanism, and a pitch actuating mechanism. Optionally, the roll/yaw actuating mechanism includes a first actuating mechanism and a second actuating mechanism. Roll movement or yaw movement of the main shaft is effectuated by combination of movements of the first actuating mechanism and the second actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A method for altering paths of optical photons that pass through a scintillator. The scintillator includes a plurality of vertical sides. The method includes forming a reflective belt inside the scintillator by creating a portion of the reflective belt inside the scintillator on a vertical plane parallel with a vertical side of the plurality of vertical sides. Creating the portion of the reflective belt includes generating a plurality of defects on the vertical plane.

Abstract: A system for electromagnetic navigation in dental implant placement may include an electromagnetic tracking system that may be configured to track positions and orientations of a plurality of electromagnetic sensors. An exemplary electromagnetic tracking system may include a field generator that may be attached to a dental unit utilizing a positioning arm. An exemplary system may further include a control unit that may be coupled to the electromagnetic tracking system and the positioning arm. The control unit may be configured to receive the tracked positions of the plurality of the electromagnetic sensors from the electromagnetic tracking system and to adjust at least a position or an angular orientation of the field generator to maintain the plurality of the electromagnetic sensors within a volume of interest within the tracking volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed, including a method for confining an annihilation range of a positron, from a plurality of positrons emitted from an object being imaged in a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system. Confining the annihilation includes applying a stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field on the positron. Optionally, the stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field includes components in each of three dimensions.