Abstract: The endoscope treatment system includes an endoscope treatment tool that has an operating part having a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath that is connected to the distal end of the operating part and is formed with a lumen through that enables a guide wire to be inserted therethrough; a guide wire holder around which a tube member housing the guide wire is wound circumferentially; and a fixing member that couples the operating part to the guide wire holder such that the distal end and the proximal end of the operating part are located outside the circumference of the guide wire holder.

Abstract: A multi-utility surgical instrument may include a nosecone, a handle, a housing sleeve, an actuation facilitating sleeve, a piston tube, a hypodermic tube, and an end plug. The hypodermic tube may be disposed within the piston tube; the piston tube may be disposed within the actuation facilitating sleeve; the actuation facilitating sleeve may be disposed within the housing sleeve; the end plug may be disposed within a portion of the housing sleeve; the housing sleeve and the end plug may be disposed within the handle; the nose cone may be fixed to a distal end of the handle; and the hypodermic tube may be fixed to the nosecone.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for defining surgical boundaries. One example method involves receiving data indicating a representation of a patient; receiving data indicating (i) a surgical target region within the representation of the patient; and (ii) a surgical entry portal within the representation of the patient; providing a graphical display of (i) the representation of the patient, and (ii) a surgical pathway from the surgical entry portal to the surgical target region; defining one or more surgical boundaries within the representation; receiving data indicating a position of a surgical instrument with respect to the representation; based on the received data indicating the position of the surgical instrument, determining that the surgical instrument is within a threshold distance from the one or more surgical boundaries; and providing feedback indicating that the surgical instrument is within the predetermined threshold distance from the one or more surgical boundaries.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.

Abstract: Improved devices, systems, and methods for planning cataract surgery on an eye of a patient incorporate results of prior corrective surgeries into a planned cataract surgery of a particular patient by driving an effective surgery vector function based on data from the prior corrective surgeries. The exemplary effective surgery vector employs an influence matrix which may allow improved refractive corrections to be generated so as to increase the overall efficacy of a cataract surgery by specifying one or more parameters of an intraocular lens (IOL) to be implanted during the cataract surgery.

Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located external to a surgical area for capturing images of optically visible patterns. A processing system receives and processes the images to recognize the patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each pattern relative to a camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset to recognize the patterns.

Abstract: Intra-operative systems for identifying surgical sharp objects are provided. Aspects of the systems include an intra-operative imaging device for obtaining intra-operative surgical sharp object image data; and a surgical sharp object automated shape recognition module configured to identify a surgical sharp object from intra-operative surgical sharp object image data. Systems of the invention may further include additional components, such as surgical instrument and/or sponge identification and tracking devices. Systems of the invention find use in a variety of methods and applications, including tracking of surgical items during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located external to a surgical area for capturing images of optically visible patterns. A processing system receives and processes the images to recognize the patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each pattern relative to a camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset which defines a reference coordinate system based on alignment to a portion of the oral anatomy. The processing system determines the location and orientation of the tracked instrument based on the reference dataset.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for providing enhanced echogenicity to medical devices. At least two adjacent echogenic features with an intervening section positioned between the echogenic features are formed as a helical groove in a medical device surface. Each of the echogenic features has a depression that spans between first and second transition lips. In one form, each depression includes a steep portion adjacent a shallow portion wherein the steep portion has a first radius and the shallow portion has a second radius that is larger than the first radius such that the radii capture different wavelengths of ultrasound. The intervening section has a planar surface in which the first and second transition lips do not extend above. In one form, each of the at least two echogenic features has a length that is within 0.1 mm of a length of the intervening section.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates a fiducial marker deployment system configured for controlled deployment of at least one of a plurality of preloaded specially-configured fiducials in a controlled serial manner to a desired target site. The deployment system generally includes a deployment device configured to deploy at least one of a plurality of preloaded fiducials to a target site within a patient via a rotational deployment mechanism. Each fiducial generally includes a pellet-like body having a groove helically formed along an outer surface thereof and the deployment device includes a deployment catheter having an internally threaded lumen configured to engage the helical groove of each fiducial so as to allow rotational loading and deployment of each fiducial.

Abstract: A surgical system and a method of providing and enabling a surgical system. The surgical system having a console and a first component configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to the console. The surgical system having a sensor circuit arranged to the console, and a first target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component. The sensor circuit outputs a feedback signal indicative of a state of electrical connection of the first target state identifying circuit to the sensor circuit. A controller arranged in the console is configured to control a therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling a treatment device generates a graphical interface that visually prompts a user in a step-wise fashion to use the treatment device to perform a process of forming a pattern of lesions that extends both circumferentially and axially in different levels in a body region. The graphical interface displays for the user a visual record of the progress of the process from start to finish and guides the user so that so that individual lesions desired within a given level are all formed, and that a given level of lesions is not skipped.

Abstract: In the case of a dental hand instrument having a grip sleeve and also a head housing arranged at the front end of the grip sleeve for receiving or holding a treatment instrument, the head housing has a substantially cylindrical hollow space which is connected by way of at least one connecting bore to a connection region pointing to the grip sleeve, wherein the connecting bore is coupled, at its end facing the grip sleeve, to a media line extending through the grip sleeve, and wherein the inner wall region of the head housing enclosing the hollow space has a recess into which the connecting bore opens.

Abstract: A dental instrument and a dental kit comprising multiple dental instruments are disclosed for use in dental examination, extraction and reconstruction procedures. Each dental instrument is composed of three detachable components: the handle, the arm and the head. These components are connected to one another during assembly through magnetized hexagonal projections and hollows of 0.5-1.0 cm in length or depth to provide fast and sturdy connections between the components. Multiple versions of the arm and the head are provided to enable different angulations, different combinations of angulations, different configurations and sizes of a single type of dental instrument, different types of dental instruments to be assembled during the dental treatment procedure. Embodiments disclosed herein help to create a neat and orderly working environment for the dental professional wherein the multiple tools required for a procedure are provided in a compact kit.

Abstract: A pen-like dispenser for dispensing a dental material has a handle and a cover which are attached for rotation relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, and a cartridge for holding the dental material and a screw plunger for extruding the dental material from the cartridge by screwing action. The cartridge and the cover in combination form a rotary slide valve which is operable by rotation about the longitudinal axis between a storage position, in which the cover closes a dispensing outlet of the cartridge, and a dispensing position, in which an opening in the cover opens the dispensing outlet of the cartridge. A relative rotation between the screw plunger and the handle about the longitudinal axis is restricted, and a relative rotation between the cartridge and the cover about the longitudinal axis is enabled within a predetermined rotation angle and restricted otherwise.

Abstract: Orthodontic positioning devices, and related methods and systems, are disclosed for use with one or more orthodontic elastic members. The disclosed devices are configured to couple with an orthodontic elastic member so as to react a force from the elastic member into the appliance to, for example, generate traction forces on the patient's teeth to produce a desired occlusion. A positioning device includes a patient removable tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hook configured to interface with an orthodontic elastic member. The hook can be configured to be offset from a surface of a tooth when the appliance is coupled with the patient's teeth and no elastic member is coupled with the tooth. The hook can be curved so that the hook is more retentive on the aligner. The hook can be reinforced so that the reinforcement resists deformation when the elastic is in place.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting and correcting deviation during an orthodontic treatment plan is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an un-segmented current teeth image representing a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun and before the plan ends for the patient; matching a previously segmented teeth model with the current teeth image; and generating at least one corrective stage to define an intermediate tooth arrangement, wherein the at least one corrective stage repositions a digital teeth image so that a prescribed tooth arrangement of the previously segmented teeth model can be used.

Abstract: An indirect bonding tray includes a least one tooth portion. Each tooth portion includes an occlusal surface that conforms to an occlusal surface of an associated tooth of a patient's dentition. At least one arm includes an arm tip configured to engage an orthodontic bracket. The at least one arm is movably attached to at least one tooth portion to move between a first position and second position relative to a bonding surface of the associated tooth. In the second position, the arm is in a position configured to hold an orthodontic bracket in a predetermined treatment position relative to the bonding surface of the associated tooth.

Abstract: A dental device comprises a distal part having a first lateral hole formed on a lateral side of the distal part; a middle part connected to the distal part; and a proximal part connected to the middle part, wherein the dental device has a central lumen penetrating the proximal part, the middle part, and the distal part and communicating to the first lateral hole and wherein the distal part has an exit of the central lumen at a distal end and the proximal part has an entrance of the central lumen at a proximal end.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis having a guide hole formed therein. The guide hole is configured to guide a drilling for a screw, and configured to receive the screw, holding the prosthesis in place when screwed into the bone of a patient.

Abstract: A method for preparing a zirconia composition comprises preparing a plurality of powders for lamination; the lamination powders containing zirconia, a stabilizer(s) suppressing phase transition of zirconia and a pigment(s) at respective different pigment content ratios, and laminating the lamination powders in a mold. In the laminating step, the mold is vibrated after at least two lamination powders are charged into the mold.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush for proper periodontium prophylaxis having a rotating bristle assembly configured to rotate in multiple directions so as to implement a brushing technique having the brush rotate in a direction from the gum towards the tooth by use of a switch, and regardless of the specific tooth or teeth being brushed, the electric toothbrush is configured to brush along the gingival margin towards the tooth crown.

Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical device includes a resorbable material that is configured to be disposed within the body of the patient proximate a bodily implant. The resorbable material is configured to frictionally retain the implant in place within the body of the patient for at least a period of time. In one embodiment, a kit includes an implant and a resorbable material. The implant is configured to be disposed within a body of a patient. The resorbable material is configured to be disposed within the body of the patient proximate the implant to frictionally retain the implant in place within the body of the patient for a period of time. The resorbable material is configured to be resorbed by the body after the period of time.

Abstract: An insertion device, includes an elongate member having a needle portion and a handle portion. The handle portion includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is configured to indicate an orientation of the needle portion.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a medical device includes a needle member having a curved portion, a handle coupled to the needle member, and a pusher member including a sheath and an extension member. The sheath may be bendable. The extension member is configured to be slidably coupled to a track of the handle such that extension member slides within the track during a medical procedure. The sheath defines a lumen configured to receive a portion of the needle member. The extension member is configured to be de-coupled from the track of the handle after the medical procedure. The sheath is configured to be de-coupled from the needle member after the medical procedure. In some examples, the sheath of the pusher member is configured to bend to conform to the curved portion when the sheath of the pusher member is moved over the curved portion of the needle member.

Abstract: A hernia patch supporting tissue in-growth conforms to a tissue wall upon surgical installation and fixation within a patient. The hernia patch can include a base and positioning straps. The base is formed of two layers that are affixed to each other around the perimeter of the patch, for example by stitching. A stabilizing washer is provided between the two layers, and the stitch is provided peripherally around the stabilizing washer, keeping the washer free-floating between the layers. The base, positioning straps, and stabilizing washer are formed of a structure that does not separate the layers of the implant or form a space in the form of a pocket, and promotes more uniform and confluent tissue incorporation or in-growth after implantation. The hernia patch may further include a hydrolysable bioabsorbable cross-linked coating of a fatty acid based material, such as an omega-3 fatty acid based material.

Abstract: Provided are a stent to be placed in the bile duct and a process for producing the stent, the stent hollow being less apt to be blocked even when the stent is placed in the bile duct for a long period. The inner peripheral surface of the stent is coated with a resin layer with resistance to sludge formation that includes a polymer obtained by polymerizing 2-methoxyethyl acrylate. This stent is produced by applying a coating fluid that contains 0.1-0.5 mass % polymer obtained by polymerizing 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, to the inner peripheral surface of a stent.

Abstract: A method for coupling a body conduit to tissue is provided. The method includes engaging an implant about an outer surface of a catheter. The implant receives a bioactive agent having tissue growth properties. The method involves inserting the catheter through the body conduit and into a tissue opening across a resected area, positioning the implant in the resected area, inflating a balloon to anchor the catheter within the tissue opening such that the implant bridges the body conduit and the tissue opening across the resected area, and maintaining the catheter and the implant in vivo to enable the bioactive agent to secure the implant in the resected area to permanently bridge the body conduit and the tissue opening.

Abstract: A graft-positioning system that includes a body further comprising a shaft, a handle engaged to the first end of the shaft, a guide rest engaged to the second end of the shaft and a flange engaged to the guide. In addition, the shaft also includes a plurality of pin channels that extend from the first end to the second end of the shaft. The graft-positioning system may also include plurality of guide pins that are configured and arranged to be received within the plurality of pin channels. Additional embodiments provide an arthroscopic cutter that includes a tubular body and a drive shaft attached to a cutting head at one end and situated within a lumen defined within the tubular body. The tubular body further includes a guide rest engaged to the distal end of the tubular body and a flange engaged to the guide rest.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: A toric intraocular lens is configured for enhanced stability after implantation into a capsular bag of an eye. The intraocular lens has one or more haptics extending from the lens, with stabilization enhanced by configuring the lens to include at least one engagement element configured to cooperate with the interior to the capsular bag to resist relative rotation of the lens. In one aspect of the invention, the engagement element can be provided in the form of one or more rotation-inhibiting projections provided on the lens body and/or the haptics of the lens. In another aspect of the invention, the lens includes an anterior surface which is configured to provide enhanced frictional engagement of the intraocular lens with the interior of the eye. The anterior surface of the lens can be roughened in order to provide the desired frictional engagement.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (30) having focusing capabilities permitting focusing movement of the lens (30) in response to normal ciliary body (24) movement incident to changes in the distance between the eye and an object under observation is provided. The lens (30) is designed for surgical implantation within the capsule (20) of an eye (10) and includes an optic (32) and an optic positioning element (33) which cooperate to form the lens (30). Accommodation is achieved by relying upon the thickening and thinning of the optic (32) as a result of the normal retracting and contracting of the ciliary body (24) in response to the distance of an object from the viewer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an injector device for introducing an intraocular lens into an eye. The injector device defines a longitudinal axis and includes an injector tip having a through guide channel for the intraocular lens. The channel has a rear inlet and a front outlet. A cassette accommodates the intraocular lens therein and two closure tips are configured for closing the cassette. The closure tips extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis axially farther rearwardly than the rear inlet. A method for prefolding the intraocular lens in the cassette is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cassette for accommodating an intraocular lens. The cassette defines a longitudinal axis and includes a base part. Pivotable cover flaps are arranged on the base part so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis from a base position to a closed position. The cover flaps are curved at least in selected regions thereof and are configured to be autonomously intrinsically bendable in a defined manner when the cover flaps are moved from the base position to the closed position.

Abstract: A medical assembly for replacing a native heart valve of a patient can include a deployment mechanism and a radially expandable and contractable prosthetic heart valve coupled to the deployment mechanism. The prosthetic heart valve can comprise a self-expandable stent body and a plurality of leaflet-forming membranes. The assembly can further include a storage container, wherein the prosthetic heart valve and the deployment mechanism are disposed in the storage container.

Abstract: A crimping tool for use with a collapsible prosthetic valve having a stent frame with a plurality of cell openings, and a valve structure assembled in the stent frame. The crimping tool includes a plurality of resilient tines defining an array around a longitudinal axis of the crimping tool. The array has a first cross-section in an expanded state and a second cross-section less than the first cross-section in a collapsed state. The plurality of tines are adapted to intersect the plurality of cell openings in an assembled position of the crimping tool on the prosthetic valve to prevent pinching of the valve structure by the stent frame as the prosthetic valve is collapsed.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve.

Abstract: A self-expanding wire frame for a pre-configured compressible transcatheter prosthetic cardiovascular valve, a combined inner frame/outer frame support structure for a prosthetic valve, and methods for deploying such a valve for treatment of a patient in need thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame and a leaflet construct. The leaflet construct is at least partially coupled to a leaflet frame outer side of the leaflet frame and being coupled thereto by a retention element.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering and deploying a self-expandable heart valve to a site of implantation such as the aortic annulus includes a deployment mechanism that engages the valve and regulates the rate of expansion of both the proximal and distal ends thereof. The heart valve may be a rolled-type valve and the deployment mechanism may include a plurality of distal fingers and a plurality of proximal fingers that engage the outer layer of the heart valve. Controlled radial movement of the fingers regulates the unwinding of the rolled heart valve. The fingers may be removed prior to inflation of a balloon to fully expand the valve, or the fingers may be repositioned to the inside of the valve for this purpose. The deployment mechanism may include an umbrella structure that forces the rolled valve outward into its fully expanded configuration. Alternatively, a gear shaft that engages one or more gear tracks on the valve may be utilized to regulate expansion of the valve.

Abstract: A device for placing in a cardiac valve to assist operation of natural cardiac valve leaflets, the device including a frame for anchoring the device, configured to be placed upstream of the cardiac annulus and shaped to prevent the frame from shifting downstream of the cardiac valve annulus, and at least one anchor extension attached to the frame, the anchor extension configured to extend through the leaflets of the cardiac valve at commissures of the cardiac valve and behind the natural leaflets, preventing the anchor extensions from shifting back from the downstream side of the annulus to the upstream side of the annulus. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An implant and method for repairing and/or replacing functionality of a native mitral valve are in various embodiments configured to reduce or eliminate mitral regurgitation and residual mitral valve leakage. A coiled anchor with a central turn that reduces in size upon implantation is used to approximate the amount of reduction in the size and the reshaping of the native mitral annulus to reduce valve leakage. A clip can be further applied to the native valve leaflets to reduce the size of the native mitral annulus and leakage therethrough. A prosthetic heart valve can be implanted in the coiled anchor to replace and further improve functionality of the valve. In some cases, the prosthetic valve can be implanted in a clipped valve, where the clip is detached from one of the native valve leaflets to provide space for the prosthetic valve to expand.

Abstract: Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.

Abstract: A surface protection system comprising a protective sleeve positionable over an orthopedic tool or implant, for example the tapered end of an orthopedioc femoral stem implant to shield the covered surface from exposure to abrasive particles during an automated polishing process is described. The protective sleeve comprises a body having an annular sidewall that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and is composed of a polymeric material. A cavity resides within the body extending through the distal end to a proximal end sidewall positioned perpendicular to the annular sidewall. The protective sleeve further comprises at least one annular recess intermediate at least two annular ridges that reside along an interior surface at the distal end of the sleeve. These series of annular ridges and recesses form a removably tight seal around the exterior surface that minimizes the migration of abrasive polishing particles to the exterior surface of the orthopedic tool or implant.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing implant for use in shoulder arthroscopy has a bearing surface, a mounting base affixed to or formed with the bearing surface, a convex element extending outwardly of the mounting base opposite the bearing surface, a receptacle positioned so as to slidably or pivotably receive a portion of the convex element therein, a housing receiving at least a portion of the receptacle therein, and a resilient element received in the housing and bearing against a surface of the housing and against a surface of the receptacle. The bearing surface can be concave when the implant is used as a glenoid implant. The bearing surface can be convex when the implant is used as a humeral head implant.

Abstract: In some exemplary embodiments, an ankle replacement prosthesis includes a tibial component which provides a convex bearing surface, and a talar component which provides a concave bearing surface configured to interface with the convex bearing surface of the tibial component to provide a joint of the ankle replacement prosthesis. The tibial component is configured to be attached to a patient's tibia and the talar component is configured to be attached to the patient's talus.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two motion surfaces and. wherein the radius of the upper articulation surface of the core member is greater than the radius of the lower articulation surface of the core member, and wherein the first articulation surface of the core member is spherical and the second articulation surface of the core member is curved and non-spherical.