Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a word line, a bit line, a first transistor, a second transistor and a driver. The word line is electrically coupled to a gate of the memory cell. The bit line is electrically coupled to one end of the memory cell. The first transistor includes a first gate electrically coupled to the bit line. The second transistor is coupled to a first end of the first transistor. The driver is configured to apply a voltage to the first gate of the first transistor. In a read operation, the driver varies a voltage to be applied to the first gate of the first transistor based on a read voltage applied to the word line.

Abstract: This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describes technology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and then shows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide an augmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on and around a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit can monitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tool carries suction pods adapted for robotic surgery wherein a distal end with the suction pods is insertable through a small port incised in a living body to reach a working space for performing cardiac repairs. The tool has an articulating hub with a base part and a sliding part, wherein the suction pods pivot from the sliding part. The base part has a keyed surface configured to interlock with a keyed surface of the pods. A pullcord for retracting the suction pods toward a support tube of the tool has a loosened state wherein the first and second keyed surfaces can be spaced apart so that the suction pods can be spread for grasping a tissue to be stabilized at desired locations. The pullcord has a tightened state wherein the first and second keyed surfaces are interlocked so that the suction pods are inhibited from pivoting.

Abstract: This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describes technology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and then shows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide an augmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on and around a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit can monitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.

Abstract: This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describes technology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and then shows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide an augmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on and around a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit can monitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.

Abstract: A vessel harvesting system removes a target vessel from a patient for use as a bypass. An elongated harvesting instrument inserts into a body along a path of a target vessel which includes at least one side branch. The harvesting instrument includes a cutter for applying thermal energy to sever and cauterize the side branch. An endoscopic camera captures visible-light images from a distal tip of the instrument within a dissected tunnel around the target vessel. A thermal camera captures thermograms coinciding with the visible-light images to characterize a temperature present at respective surfaces in the tunnel. An image processor (e.g., an electronic controller) renders a video stream including the visible-light images and an overlay depicting the temperatures present on at least some of the respective surfaces when applying the thermal energy. A display presenting the video stream and overlay to a user can be an augmented-reality display.

Abstract: An endoscopic vessel harvesting system for surgical removal of a blood vessel to be used for coronary bypass uses endoscopic instruments for isolating and severing the vessel. An endoscopic camera in the endoscopic instruments captures images from a distal tip of the instrument within a dissected tunnel around the vessel. An image processor assembles a three-dimensional model of the tunnel from a series of images captured by the endoscopic camera. An augmented-reality display coupled to the image processor renders (e.g., visibly displays to the user in their field of view) a consolidated map representing the three-dimensional model along with a marker in association with the map indicating a current location of the distal tip.

Abstract: Usable life of a biosensor life is extended while keeping the sensing system enclosed and minimizing the introduction of flushing solutions into a measurement line (e.g., a blood vessel) of a fluid system, such as a human blood vessel, a nutritional fluid line in a tissue cultivation system, or a circulation system in an organ preservation system. A catheter, tube, or other lumen contains the active biosensor. One end of the lumen is introduced to the target fluid, and the other end is connected to a supply of a buffer solution (e.g., heparinized saline solution). By advancing the buffer solution along the lumen, the biological fluid (e.g., blood) can be purged from the area around the sensor material to halt any reactions. When a measurement is desired, then the buffer solution is withdrawn (e.g., suctioned) back into the supply so that the biological fluid enters and contacts the sensor material.

Abstract: A reusable flexible arm stabilizes tissues during surgical procedures. The stabilizer arm switches between a flexible state for conforming to a desired curvature and a rigid state for maintain a desired positioning. A suspension length provided by the stabilizer arm is also adjustable. The arm has an articulating portion with successive articulating links each having a central passage. A length adjustable portion has successive length-adjustable links each having a central passage. A tension cable extends through the central passages between a proximal one of the length-adjustable links and a distal one of the articulating links. A base member captures the length-adjustable links at a position corresponding to a desired extension length of the arm. A control mechanism is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectably separate the captured length-adjustable links, thereby adjusting a tension in the tension cable and a rigidity of the stabilizer arm.

Abstract: A blood inspection system automatically repeats blood inspections at a plurality of times at a desired interval and a desired timing by chronologically coupling a supply of blood to each one of a series of blood inspection units. A change in a blood condition, such as a clotting time, is monitored so that a thrombus or the like is prevented from being formed and an associated medicine is prevented from being overdosed. The blood inspection system has a catheter providing a main flow path, a supply of a flushing liquid, a plurality of inspection units, a plurality of branched flow paths, an aspiration unit, and a switching valve for selectively coupling the main flow path to a determined inspection unit which has not yet performed an inspection.

Abstract: A retraction apparatus increases flexibility of retracting tissues around a surgical site, such as during cardiac surgery including mitral valve repair or other surgical procedures. A holder is configured to mount to a fixed rail such as a sternal retractor. A rake element comprises a strap segment having a proximal end slidably received in a slot in the holder. The rake element has a primary rake finger at a distal end of the strap segment configured to grasp and retract tissue at a surgical site and a sub-finger extending perpendicularly via a bendable wing from a side of the primary rake finger adapted to retract adjacent tissue around the surgical site.

Abstract: A flushable catheter device has an outer tube with a first distal end opening to be introduced into a blood vessel and defining a first lumen. An inner tube is disposed in the first lumen with a second distal end opening proximally spaced from the first distal end opening and defining a second lumen. A space axially disposed between the end openings defines an outflow/inflow inhibiting portion which inhibits a flow of fluid out from the first lumen into the into the vessel as a result of a perfusion of a flushing fluid being supplied through the first lumen and into the second lumen.

Abstract: A tissue expander/retractor tool works within a narrow cavity/tunnel to access a deeper structure (e.g., the mitral valve) without consuming a significant amount of space either within the small through-hole or in the vicinity of the entrance to the port. The tool provides the user with direct control of the expansion and separation of a target area. The moving parts of the tool have a closed configuration with a narrow profile for insertion/removal and an open configuration obtained using a remotely-controlled, compact pivot mechanism that provides a broad enlargement capability for the retraction jaws. A pantograph mechanism with input pivots and output pivots is coupled between the retraction jaws and a compound cable (e.g., Bowden cable). A handle is coupled to the other end of the compound cable for displacing the inner wire along the outer tube.

Abstract: A retractor is configured to manipulate for vascular structures during minimally invasive surgical procedures such as mitral valve repair. A long wire has a spring loop at one end surrounded by a helical spring coil forming a toroidal ring. The spring maintains a circular shape while expanding and shrinking under manual control to a desired size for initiating and maintaining the retraction. The looping end of the spring wire is enclosed by the helical coil spring. The other end of the long wire is mounted through a frame with two hollow support arms carrying separate sides of the long wire and guiding them through a long support tube to a proximal end of the tube where each separate portion of the long wire attaches to a coupler. The coupler includes a handle or other push/pull mechanism to adjust the size of toroidal ring.

Abstract: This document describes devices used during surgical procedures for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document describes technology to monitor the operations of a heart-lung machine and then shows associated read outs on a head-worn display in order to provide an augmented-reality presentation. For example, various sensors on and around a heart-lung machine, patient, and/or extracorporeal circuit can monitor the operations of the procedure using the heart-lung machine.

Abstract: A retractor is configured to manipulate for vascular structures during minimally invasive surgical procedures such as mitral valve repair. A long wire has a spring loop at one end surrounded by a helical spring coil forming a toroidal ring. The spring maintains a circular shape while expanding and shrinking under manual control to a desired size for initiating and maintaining the retraction. The looping end of the spring wire is enclosed by the helical coil spring. The other end of the long wire is mounted through a frame with two hollow support arms carrying separate sides of the long wire and guiding them through a long support tube to a proximal end of the tube where each separate portion of the long wire attaches to a coupler. The coupler includes a handle or other push/pull mechanism to adjust the size of toroidal ring.

Abstract: A heart rotator tool uses a malleable guide rail with a distal end adapted to conform to a desired shape along a surface of a heart tissue. A suction cup is adapted for grasping the heart tissue. A slider is slidably mounted on the guide rail which is flexible to conform to the shape of the guide rail while sliding, the slider having a distal end connected to the suction cup and having a proximal end for providing a handgrip. A vacuum tube is joined to the suction cup and carried by the slider. The vacuum tube is adapted to selectively (i.e., selectably couple a vacuum source to the suction cup. After arranging the guide rail around the heart and sliding the suction cup to a desired position, the vacuum is activated and subsequent sliding of the suction cup via movement of the handgrip rotates the heart as desired.

Abstract: A device prepares leaflets for cardiovascular valve reconstruction from a pericardial tissue sheet harvested from a patient. A cutting tool is adapted to cut a predetermined pattern having a selected leaflet size. The device is continuously adjustable using a plurality of slidable blade segments forming a closed periphery. Radially-slidable links are slidably attached to respective blade segments. An adjustment disc is coupled to the links, wherein rotation of the adjustment disc varies a radial position of the links to modify an overlapping of the blade segments in order to select a corresponding size of the closed periphery.

Abstract: A reusable flexible arm stabilizes tissues during surgical procedures. The stabilizer arm switches between a flexible state for conforming to a desired curvature and a rigid state for maintain a desired positioning. A suspension length provided by the stabilizer arm is also adjustable. The arm has an articulating portion with successive articulating links each having a central passage. A length adjustable portion has successive length-adjustable links each having a central passage. A tension cable extends through the central passages between a proximal one of the length-adjustable links and a distal one of the articulating links. A base member captures the length-adjustable links at a position corresponding to a desired extension length of the arm. A control mechanism is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectably separate the captured length-adjustable links, thereby adjusting a tension in the tension cable and a rigidity of the stabilizer arm.