Abstract: A device is described for treating a nasal airway by modifying a property of a nasal tissue of or near a nasal valve of the airway, without using a surgical incision or an implant, to decrease airflow resistance or perceived airflow resistance in the nasal airway. Various embodiments include an elongate shaft, a bipolar radiofrequency delivery member extending from one end of the shaft, and a handle attached to the elongate shaft at an opposite end from the radiofrequency delivery member. The radiofrequency delivery member is sized to be inserted into a nose and configured to at least temporarily deform the nasal tissue and deliver radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency delivery member includes two rows of protruding electrodes disposed on a tissue contact surface, and the device is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy from one row of electrodes to the other row of electrodes.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve mountable to an endoscope having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first channel dimensioned to receive an endoscope, and a second channel dimensioned to receive an electrode. The electrode is slidable within the second channel from a retracted position wherein a tip of the electrode is unexposed from the sleeve and an extended position wherein the tip of the electrode is exposed from the sleeve and curves toward target tissue.

Abstract: A renal denervation system includes an ablation catheter and an inflation balloon. The renal denervation catheter is insertable into a renal artery to perform a renal denervation procedure. The inflation balloon is inflatable within the renal artery, wherein one of a blood pressure condition in the renal artery resulting from operation of the inflation balloon and a performance characteristic of the inflation balloon indicates efficacy of the renal denervation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing and completing surgical and medical procedures. In particular, kits are provided for improving preparation and completion time for a medical or surgical procedure in which the kit includes modularized compartments containing sterilized medical or surgical equipment and wherein the medical or surgical equipment is organized and/or ordered within the kit to generally correspond to the sequence of steps of the medical or surgical procedure. The kit is particularly applicable to recanalization procedures for stroke patients as well as revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction patients where a kit enables faster preparation and completion of these procedures.

Abstract: A cart includes a main body, wheels, first drawers, at least one collecting bin and at least one driving unit. The wheels are disposed on the bottom of the main body. The first drawers are contained in a front space of the main body and are configured to be pulled out of the main body via a front surface thereof. The collecting bin is contained in a rear space of the main body. The collecting bin has an opening and an accommodation space communicated with the opening. The opening is located in the rear space such that the accommodation space is not exposed to the outside of the main body. The driving unit is coupled to the collecting bin and configured to receive an external triggering to turn the collecting bin out of the main body via a rear surface thereof, to expose the opening and the accommodation space.

Abstract: Containers and container systems for temporarily storing and/or securing one or more surgical instruments in a neutral position during a surgical procedure. The containers are configured to withstand autoclave sterilization such that the containers are reusable following autoclave sterilization. The container includes a syringe holder having an elongate body, at least one pair of spaced guard elements extending upwardly, at least one supporting element, and at least one row of spaced projections.

Abstract: The invention is a new horizontal syringe storage system for larger syringes which provides a high degree of product safety, storage and accessibility. The horizontal syringe storage system defines offset scallops to provide for tray nesting when stacked in a similar direction and for tray stacking when an upper tray is rotated 180° relative to a lower tray. In use, the upper trays do not touch product in a lower tray. For one embodiment, the syringe storage system comprises raised nubs for vertical alignment between stacked trays. Such raised nubs of a lower tray operably cooperative with the scallop pockets of an overhead tray. This simple feature aligns trays on two axes and limits tray slippage, essentially offering unlimited syringe tray stacking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical apparatus, in particular a navigation probe for localizing and treating lesions in a brain, comprising: a body member (10) having an anterior end (20), a posterior end (30) and at least one groove (60, 62) extending for a particular length in a longitudinal direction of the body member (10) between said anterior end (20) and said posterior end (30); a saddle (70) adapted to securely hold a medical device, the saddle (70) being placed on said body member (10) and having at least one grip (74, 75, 76) that extends into said at least one groove (60, 62) so as to mount the saddle (70) on the body member (10) moveable in said longitudinal direction; and a means for maneuvering said body member (10).

Abstract: A double clamp whose jaws are mounted on pivots. The clamp finds use in craniotomy procedures where a piece of the skull is removed to expose the brain. The clamp frame of the present invention can be attached to armatures that circle the patient's head. The jaws hold the patient's skull fixed. There are no supporting bars; rather, there is a pair of semi-circular (or other shaped) armatures that partially circle the patient's head and are attached to the frame of the clamp device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locally invasive surgical apparatus including a manipulator for scratching the bone at a fracture site, a drive arm on which the manipulator is mounted, and a controller for controlling the manipulator and the drive arm. Therefore, it is possible to carry out minimally invasive surgery during bone fracture surgery, thereby enabling simple and quick bone fracture surgery for a speedy recovery.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various modular medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.

Abstract: Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A coupler to transfer controller motion from a robotic manipulator to a surgical instrument includes a pin having a tip with a bearing surface and a plate having a driving surface that bears against a gimbal assembly in the surgical instrument. The plate has a surface supported on the bearing surface of the pin. The bearing surface has a center that coincides with an intersection of two rotational axes of the gimbal assembly. The plate is rotated about the center of the bearing surface to transfer controller motion to the surgical instrument. There may be alignment features on the driving surface of the plate to mate with corresponding features on an inner gimbal of the gimbal assembly. An actuator arm may be connected to one side of the plate. An actuator mechanism may be connected to the actuator arm to rotate the plate about the center of the bearing surface.

Abstract: A medical manipulator includes: a manipulator body that has a handle; a drive unit that can be detachably attached to the handle; and an attachment limiting mechanism that is provided to the handle. When the number of times that the drive unit has been attached to and detached from the handle reaches a set number, the attachment limiting mechanism prevents the mounting of the drive unit to the handle. The attachment limiting mechanism has a counting mechanism and a stopper. The counting mechanism counts the number of times that the drive unit is attached and detached. When the count reaches a set number, the stopper is made to protrude into a mounting hole in the handle so as to prevent the insertion of the drive unit into the mounting hole.

Abstract: Methods and systems for retention and use of historical patient-specific information in selecting and/or designing patient-adapted articular repair systems are disclosed herein. Various embodiments include articular repair system components that are selected and/or designed based, at least in part, on both current patient-specific information and historical patient-specific information. According to certain embodiments, a method of making an implant component for intended treatment of a diseased or damaged joint of a patient is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (xn,yn,zn) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone spice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing.

Abstract: Various surgical devices having integrated means of illuminating a surgical field are provided. Retractors, cannulas, suction devices and the like are disclosed having integrated optical waveguides coupleable to external lighting sources. The waveguides feature cladding layers configured to enhance transmission efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The apparatus comprises a handle portion located near the proximal end of the apparatus, a supporting arm attached to the proximal end of the apparatus, the supporting arm having a tracking marker, a flexible tip portion located at the distal end of the apparatus, and a plurality of sensors located on the outer surface of the apparatus. The plurality of sensors each provides a signal representing information that is useable for determining deformation of the flexible tip portion. The apparatus may be either a sheath for covering a medical tool or the apparatus may be a medical tool.

Abstract: A system and method images first and second views of a subject and analyses the view to identify devices and anatomical structures. The images are overlayed with labeling identifying anatomical structures and/or segment regions corresponding to the anatomical structures. The segment regions have indicia differentiating the segment regions. The overlayed images are displayed to a doctor executing a procedure on the subject to assist in identifying the anatomical structures. In an embodiment a nominal anatomical model is adapted to an anatomical structure and substituted in a display to provide greater clarify than an actual image. Devices in the first and second views are identified and optionally movement paths of the devices is tracked and displayed. User input is optionally accepted to adapt the segment regions and/or the adaptation of the anatomical model to the imaged anatomical structure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to providing assistance to medical professionals during the performance of medical procedures through the use of technologies facilitated through a head-worn computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which devices that are employed during a medical procedure are adaptively configured during the medical procedure, based on input or feedback that is associated with the current state, phase or context of the medical procedure. In some example embodiments, the input is obtained via the identification of one or more medical instruments present within a region of interest, and this input may be employed to determine configuration parameters for configuring the device. In other example embodiments, the input may be based on the image-based detection of a measure associated with the phase or context of the medical procedure, and this input may be employed to adaptively control the device based on the inferred context or phase of the medical procedure. In other embodiments, images from one imaging modality may be employed to adaptively switch to another imaging modality.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical material or surgical sponge including an integral construction having a plurality of micro-particle taggants that are UV or radio wave detectable. The sponge includes a fibrous, nonwoven fabric containing entangled fibers arranged in an interconnecting patterned relationship in a plane of the fabric, and at least one UV or radio wave detectable element positioned interiorly of the fibrous nonwoven fabric in the plane. The fibers of the nonwoven fabric may be inter twined about the micro-particle taggants.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool, at least one movement detection means in communication with a movement database and with the location estimating means and a controller, which controls the position of at least one surgical tool, in communication with a movement database, a control database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores the 3D spatial position of each surgical tool at the present time and at at least one previous time; a tool has moved if its present position is different from its previous position. The control database stores rules to identify a movement of a tool as either an allowed movement or a restricted movement. Examples of rules include a maximum speed rule, a virtual zoom rule, a virtual rotation of scene rule, and position of tool rule.

Abstract: A surgical instrument tracking assembly includes a trackable target and an adapter that can be rigidly coupled to the trackable target such that the pose of the adapter can be determined from the pose of the trackable target. The tracking assembly also includes stretchable tape for stretchably winding around the adapter and a surgical instrument to provide a tensile clamping force holding the adapter to the surgical instrument in a fixed, stable, spatial relationship so that a pose of the surgical instrument is determinable from the pose of the adapter. The stretchable tape may be highly elastic to provide a long-lasting tensile clamping force, sufficiently strong to resist tearing when being stretched by a human hand, and self-engaging such that once the tape is wound on itself, the long-lasting tensile clamping force of the winding is maintained even when the pulling force is removed.

Abstract: A method for treating a site within a patient from which tissue has been removed includes providing at least one press-formed marker body formed of polysaccharide and a suitable binder; and placing the at least one of the press-formed marker body within the site where tissue has been removed so as to provide hemostasis therein.

Abstract: An interface component is provided for use with a first glove and a medical equipment component. The interface component comprises at least one switch located on the first glove, where each of the at least one switch provides a control signal to the medical equipment component. The interface component may further comprise a controller coupled to the plurality of switches, a power supply module coupled to the controller, and a wireless communications interface coupled to the controller in communication with a wireless interface of the medical equipment component.

Abstract: A tailpiece for a dental valve device is disclosed which has a body having a valve receiving end, a hose receiving end, and a hose retaining section having a hose insertion section, an inclined section, a first flat section, a first tapered ring section having a central section, a second flat section, a second tapered ring section having a central section, and a third flat section.

Abstract: System and method for non-invasive sonication, through at least one of enamel and dentin, of a root-canal system of a target tooth with an externally delivered ultrasound beam, to disinfect the root-canal system while blocking a nerve associated with the tooth and removing a need for radiography to confirm the results of endodontics. The tooth does not have a physical access opening to the root canal system. When focused, the beam is oriented to expose the root-canal system to the ultrasound within the confocal range of the beam such as to concentrate the ultrasound energy within the root-canal system and to avoid irradiating teeth that are immediately adjacent to the target tooth.

Abstract: The dental handpiece has a handpiece body having a mixture transfer line for transferring a mixture of air and powder, and a nozzle connected to the handpiece body for injecting the mixture transferred through the mixture transfer line, and performs dental treatment by injecting the mixture onto tooth surface. The nozzle is rotatably connected to the handpiece body via rotary means. With this nozzle connection, during subgingival treatment with the nozzle being inserted subgingivally at its end and moved along the tooth surface, the entire handpiece body is not required to be moved from side to side over a wide amplitude, which improves work efficiency in dental treatment.

Abstract: A ring clamp matrix system utilizes a split ring spring with a pair of feet, one mounted to each end of the ring. At least one of the feet includes a wedging surface for engaging and holding a sectional matrix foil. Each foot is positioned outwardly from the interproximal space as the ring clamp is being installed between two adjacent teeth, to have each foot exert a force inward against the teeth and foil under the force of the spring when the spring is permitted to retract to its natural shape. A pair of juxtaposed extensions, each extend in the orthogonal direction, respectively inwardly towards each other from the bottom of each foot. These extensions are retained in position by the respective curved surfaces of the teeth to force the foil against one of the two teeth and positively lock the ring clamp from moving out of position.

Abstract: An archwire stop defines a non-linear path through the stop that results in a bend moment between an orthodontic stop and the portion of an orthodontic archwire passing through the stop. The bend moment is accommodated by elastic deformation of the archwire and stop, resulting in a predictable frictional engagement between the stop and the archwire that is useful in maintaining a stop mounted on an archwire during packaging, shipping and handling in a clinical setting. A non-linear path through an archwire stop may be created by a non-linear tubular stop or may be created by appropriate internal features of the stop. The non-linear path through the stop may be selected so that the frictional engagement is greatest toward the free ends of the archwire, preventing the stop from sliding off the ends of an archwire, while permitting adjustment of the stop at the front of the mouth during patient treatment.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket has a sliding archwire cover that has a top surface congruent with the top surface of an upper body portion having an archwire slot. The cover has a resilient locking tab that slides across the slot, bending upward as it encounters a ridge on the other side of the slot, and latching to the ridge to secure the cover in a closed position. The cover has a modified dovetail shape with flared bottom portions that slideably engage guides for reciprocal opening and closing sliding motion. A groove in the slide support track engages the locking tab in the open position preventing it from disengaging from the upper body portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an osseointegrative implant and related tools, components and fabrication techniques for surgical bone fixation and dental restoration purposes. In one embodiment an all-ceramic single-stage threaded or press-fit implant is provided having finely detailed surface features formed by ceramic injection molding and/or spark plasma sintering of a powder compact or green body comprising finely powdered zirconia. In another embodiment a two-stage threaded implant is provided having an exterior shell or body formed substantially entirely of ceramic and/or CNT-reinforced ceramic composite material. The implant may include one or more frictionally anisotropic bone-engaging surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting element (10) for fixing removable tooth prostheses which are anchored by an implant, comprising a lower end (13) for fastening the mounting elements (10) having an implant (21) or abutment; and an upper end for connecting the mounting element having a tooth prosthesis, optionally a friction insert; characterised in that the main body of the mounting element (10) has an outer ring (11).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (10) for anchoring a dental prosthesis to at least one at least partially hollow implant (50) fixed to the bone structure (S) of a patient, comprising an anchoring component (20) suited to be anchored to the implant (50). Said anchoring component (20) comprises a translatable element (15) suited to be translated between a first retracted position and a second position opposite the first retracted position; when the translatable element (15) is translated from the first retracted position to the second opposite position, a first end portion (15e) of the translatable element (15) is at least partially inserted into the implant (50), The invention furthermore concerns an anchoring structure (100) for anchoring a dental prosthesis to at least two implants (50), an anchoring kit for anchoring a dental prosthesis to at least one implant (50) and an anchoring system for anchoring a dental prosthesis to the bone structure (S) of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral-type implant including an intraosseous implant part, a gum penetration part, and a prosthetic appliance attachment part integrated with each other to solve an aesthetic problem which is not solved in a conventional integral-type implant so that an aesthetic customized prosthetic appliance is attached and then the final prosthetic appliance is attached to the aesthetic customized prosthetic appliance.

Abstract: Dental implant of the type formed by a single body, having an implant section intended for introduction into the maxillary bone and provided with a self-tapping screw, and a receiving section that comprises a troncoconical surface intended to receive directly a temporary or permanent dental prosthesis, the said implant also having an axial orifice with a thread for receiving a retaining screw, as well as a polygonal prismatic section intended for the tightening of the implant for its implantation in the bone, characterised in that the conical section is immediately adjacent to the implant section, without the intermediation of the polygonal prismatic section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit in parts comprising (i) a visualiser for a dental implant which comprises a) a mechanical connection part to a predetermined implant root defining, relative to the visualiser, the vector of the implant root along the axis of orientation, and b) at least three markers, contrasting under electromagnetic radiation with their an observable and recognizable by an electromagnetic recognition technique, whereby the markers define a geometric pattern of which the recognition technique is capable of collecting the spatial information, and (ii) a data file from which the spatial information of the geometric pattern may be retrieved and referenced to information determining the vector of the implant root relative to the pattern, and also identifying the visualiser and the predetermined implant root. Further disclosed is a method for preparing a dental prosthesis using the kit, as well as the visualiser itself.

Abstract: A probe head for dental confocal imaging, comprises a light-guiding part for guiding a light beam towards a teeth portion, the light-guiding part having an entrance face through which the light beam enters the light-guiding part and an exit face through which the light beam exits the light-guiding part, wherein the light-guiding part is configured, in case of a linearly polarized light beam having two polarization components being perpendicular to each other, to change polarization of the linearly polarized light beam on its path through the light-guiding part in such a way that one of the two polarization components, compared to the other of the two polarization components, is retarded by an odd multiple of a quarter of a wavelength of the light beam along the path from the entrance face to the exit face.

Abstract: An interproximal brush apparatus for dislodging and removing food particles and other debris is stuck between structures in a user's mouth comprises a curved handle defined by a rigid body having a hook shape, a bristle end defined by an elongated body having a plurality of bristles extending radially from its outer surface, and a docking member is defined by a rigid body connected to the shank of the curved handle on one end and the bristle on the other end. The curved handle enables the interproximal brush apparatus to be grasped and manipulated by a user with a single finger, while the bristle end is narrowly sized to enable it to slide between adjacent teeth of an individual, with the plurality of bristles contacting the teeth as the bristle end passes, making the bristle end operative to dislodge particles stuck in between teeth.

Abstract: An oral care appliance, comprising: a fluid flow pump assembly (46); a source of liquid (50); and a source of gas (12). The pump assembly is in operative communication with the sources of fluid and gas to produce a jet pattern of gas-injected fluid slugs, directed to a nozzle assembly (80) from which the resulting slugs are directed to the teeth. The individual fluid slugs in the jet flow have a volume in the range of 0.05-0.5 ml per orifice, a diameter in the range of 0.1-2 mm and a repetition rate within the range of 2 Hz to 20 Hz.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the movement of a power drive assembly in a back-and-forth movement. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead. A processor (65) is responsive to the output from the Hall sensor and provides an indication when the pressure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an intraoral measuring device which is to be moved relative to an organ of mastication of a patient and with which positions in the organ of mastication or areas of the organ of mastication are measured. To be able to carry out measurements without a fixed reference, independently of a reference that is independent of the patient, the position of the measuring device is measured by means of a position-determining sensor that is in a fixed relationship to the measuring device.

Abstract: Dental and medical devices with a light source and antimicrobial solution include an antimicrobial solution; a fiber optic cable that exposes the antimicrobial solution to light of a predetermined wavelength; and a solution holding apparatus that retains the lighted antimicrobial solution against the tissue. A method for antimicrobial treatment of a user includes retaining an antimicrobial solution in a solution holding apparatus; purposefully selecting a wavelength of light that reacts with the antimicrobial solution; providing the selected wavelength of light from an LED or laser or other appropriate light source; utilizing a fiber optic cable to expose the antimicrobial solution to the light; and utilizing the solution holding apparatus to hold the lighted antimicrobial solution against the user.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a compule with a dental handpiece including a piston. The compule contains a dental material. The adapter includes a coupling portion that defines openings for attaching the adapter to the compule and for attaching the adapter to the dental handpiece. A plunger portion extends through one opening and engages the piston. A breakable tab connects the coupling portion and the plunger portion and breaks during dispensing of the material. The plunger portion is then movable relative to the coupling portion. A tip for use with the dental handpiece includes a housing that defines a chamber. A needle extends from the housing and defines a lumen having an opening from which the dental material is dispensed. A plunger slides within the chamber to push the dental material through the lumen and includes a rib that seals the plunger against the chamber during sliding movement of the plunger.

Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers in oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for treating or preventing or suppressing a disease or condition in a non-human animal. The method comprises the steps of providing a single delivery device containing two components for sequential delivery from the delivery device. A first component is delivered from the single delivery device into a teat canal of a non-human animal and subsequently the second component is delivered from the single delivery device into the teat canal. The components are delivered without substantial mixing of the components.

Abstract: Veterinary devices with a light source and antimicrobial solution includes a solution retainer adapted to retain an antimicrobial solution against an animal; a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the antimicrobial solution in the solution retainer; and a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A remote treatment system may include a cone assembly including a spine and a cone body at least partially surrounding the spine, a marking payload, a syringe coupled to a portion of the cone assembly and adapted to store a syringe payload for treating a target, and a vanes cup. The vanes cup may have an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the syringe. The vanes cup may also include stabilization means for stabilizing the remote treatment system. Further, a pressure means within the vanes cup may be configured to apply a pressure against the payload within the syringe. In response to an impact between the cone assembly and the target, the payloads are expressed from the remote treatment system.