Abstract: A system for incisionless transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation, the system including an anchoring unit configured to affix a vaginal wall to a sacrospinous ligament; and a piercing tip configured to: pierce said vaginal wall, pierce said sacrospinous ligament, and deploy a first portion of said anchoring unit though said pierced vaginal wall and said pierced sacrospinous ligament, thereby disposing said first portion at said sacrospinous ligament.

Abstract: An apparatus for surgical extraction of hair follicles for transplantation uses a rotating needle for cutting follicular units from a patient's scalp. Each follicular unit is drawn through the needle and transported through a diverter unit to a selected one of plural collectors, in which the follicular units are accumulated for transplantation. The rotating needle is extends through a seal compartment in which a seal, composed of a spring inside a spring carrier, engages both the needle and a cylindrical inner wall of the seal compartment.

Abstract: A device for locating and retrieving a misplaced foreign body that has metallic characteristics includes a shaft connected to a handle and a retrieval tool that is coupled to the shaft and moves between a deployed position and collapsed position. The tool has a magnetic element that generates a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field extends over a greater area in the deployed position and is of sufficient strength to attract the foreign body such that it is held in contact with the tool. The device can be part of an automated robotic system and can also include a metal detector to assist in locating the misplaced foreign body.

Abstract: A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an assembly of three balloons into the intrajoint space while the assembly of three balloons is in a contracted condition; expanding the assembly of three balloons within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the assembly of three balloons, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state.

Abstract: An external fixation system and method for realigning, compressing or distracting broken bones has a planar ring element with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring element. The adjustable device includes a first member for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the ring element. A second member is mounted on the first member for movement in a direction parallel to the first member and with respect to a circumference of the planar ring element. The method includes inserting a k-wire through a first piece of bone and affixing the k-wire to the ring element. Then inserting a second k-wire through a second piece of bone and affixing the k-wire to the adjustable device second member. The pieces of bone are realigned, compressed or distracted by adjusting at least one of a first and second adjustable members forming the device.

Abstract: A system for compressing a fracture can include a first bone plate having a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a second bone plate having a second proximal end and a second distal end. The second bone plate can be spaced apart from the first bone plate. The system can include an expansion member coupled to the second proximal end of the second bone plate. The movement of the expansion member relative to the second bone plate can cause the first distal end of the first bone plate and the second distal end of the second bone plate to move toward each other to compress the fracture.

Abstract: A spinal rod is provided that includes an elongate body having first and second ends, a length and an outside diameter. The outside diameter is substantially the same size over an entirety of the length of the elongate body. A cavity extends within the elongate body over a cavity length. The cavity length is less than the overall length of the elongate body. A stiffness of the elongate body in portions containing the cavity is less than a stiffness of a portion of the elongate body not containing the cavity.

Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.

Abstract: A spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.

Abstract: Vertebral plate revision apparatuses, kits, and methods, and osteosynthesis systems useful in the treatment of vertebrae are described. An example vertebral plate revision apparatus is comprised of an extension plate, a connecting plate, a connecting member, and a set of locking members. An example osteosynthesis system comprises a vertebral plate revision apparatus, a previously-implanted plate, and a set of anchors.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for assisting in spinal stabilization. An access device is provided that includes an outer sleeve, inner sleeve, spring latch and lock nut. The inner sleeve includes compressible grasping elements. The access device can be coupled to a screw head by sliding the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve and compressing the grasping elements. The coupled access device and screw can then be delivered to a target location in a patient. After providing two or more access devices, a rod member can be delivered using a rod insertion device. The rod member can serve as a connection between the two screws, and can provide spinal stabilization. An anti-torque device and a persuading device can be used to help ensure that the rod member is placed and secured in a proper location within a patient.

Abstract: A bone plate locking cannula and drill guide assembly having a locking cannula detachably mountable onto screw-receiving apertures of a bone plate and a drill guide received within the locking cannula such that pilot holes are drilled through the apertures into bone at the proper angle to receive bone screws. The screw receiving apertures have a proximal bore of greater diameter than a distal bore, and the proximal bore is provided with internal threading to mate with external threading located on the distal end of the locking cannula. The bone screws are inserted through the locking cannula after removal of the drill guide and fastened into the bone to secure the bone plate in position without having to remove the locking cannulas from the bone plate, the internal diameter of the locking cannula bore being greater than the maximum diameter of the screw heads. The locking cannula is detached from the bone plate after the bone plate has been secured in place on the bone.

Abstract: A bone peg configured for cooperation with a threaded aperture on a bone plate for use in stabilizing a fracture of a bone can include a head portion and a shaft portion. The head portion can have a head threaded portion that incorporates head threads having a first pitch. The shaft portion can extend from the head portion to a distal end of the bone peg. The shaft portion can include (i) a shaft threaded portion that incorporates shaft threads having a second pitch, (ii) a first unthreaded portion and (iii) a second unthreaded portion. The shaft threaded portion is disposed intermediate the first and second unthreaded portions. The first unthreaded portion axially offsets the head threaded portion from the shaft threaded portion.

Abstract: A bone plate is provided including a plate member including a through-hole; a disk provided in the through-hole and rotatabiy supported in the plate member, the disk including a slot that is shaped such as to allow a guided displacement of the bone plate in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the disk with respect to a bone anchor extending through the slot.

Abstract: A bone plate kit may be provided for a foot or ankle orthopedic procedure, such as a lapidus procedure. In some examples, the bone plate kit includes a sterile container that holds multiple unicortical bone plate fasteners and one or more bone plates. For example, the kit may contain two bone plates configured to be used together during a tarsal-metatarsal fusion procedure. Each of the two bone plates may be configured to span different regions of a tarsal-metatarsal joint. The unicortical bone plate fasteners can be used to secure the two bone plates to the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform of a patient undergoing a procedure. In some configurations, one of the bone plates is a helical bone plate while the other bone plate may or may not be a helical bone plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an open wedge implant for open wedge osteotomies. The open wedge implant comprises a wedge body including a first expandable portion and a second expandable portion connected together by way of an intervening distal attachment. An expander is configured to separate the first and second expandable portions so as to increase a proximal thickness and a wedge angle of the wedge body. A proximal screw is configured to move the expander within the wedge body. Tightening the proximal screw draws the expander distally into the wedge body, thereby changing the open wedge implant from an initial, narrow wedge angle to an expanded wedge angle. In some embodiments, the open wedge implant is adapted for use in osteotomies performed in the feet, such as an Evans Procedure for lateral column lengthening, a Cotton Procedure for medial cuneiform opening wedge osteotomy, and the like.

Abstract: A biodegradable bone nail, including a rod-shaped magnesium screw having a head including a cross groove. The magnesium screw includes an axial chamber disposed below the cross groove, and a depth of the axial chamber is two thirds that of the bone nail. Along the length direction of the axial chamber, a plurality of radial holes are equidistantly disposed every 90 degrees from the bottoms of threads on the wall of the magnesium screw, and the radial holes communicate with the axial chamber.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for a bone screw and self-retaining driver. The system includes a mechanism that enables a bone screw to be rigidly attached to a screwdriver for manipulation and transfer of bone fragments and grafts to a fixation site, such as during surgery. The system includes a cannulated bone screw that has a drive connection that engages with a drive structures of a screwdriver. The bone screw also includes a structural connector that securely attaches to or receives an internal shaft or rod of the screwdriver. The internal shaft or rod of the screwdriver can rotate and slide independent of an outer shaft of screwdriver. Accordingly, the internal shaft of the screwdriver can rigidly connect with the bone screw enabling applied torque to the screwdriver to be transferred to the bone screw, without the bone screw falling off of the drive connection.

Abstract: A fluid displacement and pressurizing device having a housing and a carrier member. A plunger extends through the carrier member, and plunger engaging structure is retained by the carrier member. The plunger engaging structure is selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, the plunger. The housing and carrier member are configured such that the carrier member is transversely installable in the housing. Preferably, both the carrier member and the plunger engaging structure form a sub-assembly, and the sub-assembly is transversely installable in the housing after having been assembled. By providing that the carrier member is transversely installable as a sub-assembly which includes the plunger engaging structure, the device is easy to assemble, and lends itself well to an automated assembly process. Integral handle and gripping features make control and operation of the devices easier, and allows for torsional operating loads to be resolved without reaching the device body.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a surgical bending instrument for bending surgical implants. The surgical bending instrument comprises a body including a longitudinally extending threaded hole. A shaft comprising a threaded portion is rotatably engaged within the threaded hole. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the shaft, and a distal extension of the shaft comprises a driver. A distal force applicator comprises the driver centered between a first grip and a second grip. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to retain a surgical staple, such that the surgical staple may be changed to a distracted configuration suitable for implantation at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to bend a bone fusion plate so as to tailor the plate to specific anatomy of the patient's bone.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a surgical guide apparatus (SGA) and method of use. The guide apparatus preferably comprises a collar connected to a guide tube. The guide apparatus is expressly adapted to mount to the finger of a surgeon and to facilitate the proper insertion of a K-wire into a patient without tearing the surgeon's glove or cutting the surgeon.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a plasma sealer attachment for an electrosurgical system. The attachment has a connector assembly, a cable, and a hand piece. The hand piece has a splitter, a pair of tubes and a pair of conductive wires. When used, an inert gas flows through the connector assembly, down the cable and out both tubes. One of the conductive wires is connected to a source of monopolar electrosurgical energy and acts as an active electrode. The other conductive wire is connected to a neutral or ground and acts as a return electrode.

Abstract: A radiofrequency guidewire includes a core wire configured to be coupled to a radiofrequency generator. The core wire includes a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the radiofrequency generator. A tip structure is coupled to the core wire proximate the distal end. The tip structure includes one or more edge surfaces. The one or more edge surfaces provide an area of reduced curvature radius on the tip structure. The area of reduced curvature radius generates a higher electric field than other areas of the tip structure during a delivery of radiofrequency energy on the tip structure. A method of ablating an occlusion utilizing the radiofrequency guidewire is also disclosed.

Abstract: At the present time, physicians often treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using radiofrequency (RF) catheter systems to ablate conducting tissue in the wall of the Left Atrium of the heart around the ostium of the pulmonary veins. These systems are expensive and take time consuming to use. The present invention circular ablation system CAS includes a multiplicity of expandable needles that can be expanded around a central axis and positioned to inject a fluid like ethanol to ablate conductive tissue in a ring around the ostium of a pulmonary vein quickly and without the need for expensive capital equipment. The expansion of the needles is accomplished by self-expanding or balloon expandable structures. The invention includes centering means so that the needles will be situated in a pattern surrounding the outside of the ostium of a vein. Also included are members that limit the distance of penetration of the needles into the wall of the left atrium, or the aortic wall.

Abstract: A transporter for controlling the longitudinal movement of an electrode of a urological resectoscope, with a guide tube which is secured lengthwise on the resectoscope and on which a carriage is mounted so as to be longitudinally movable, with a spring mounted at one end on the carriage and at the other end on one of the ends of the guide tube, and with finger supports secured on the carriage and on one of the ends of the guide tube, is characterized in that the spring is formed in one piece with at least one of the finger supports, and wherein the spring is designed as a leaf spring and has portions curved in opposite directions.

Abstract: A blood vessel cauterizing tool assembly includes a housing that has a first end, a second end and a perimeter wall which is attached to and extends between the first and second ends. A cauterizing rod is attached to the housing and extends outwardly away from the first end. A power source is mounted within the housing and is electrically coupled to the cauterizing rod. A switch is mounted on the housing and is operationally coupled to the power source and the cauterizing rod. The switch is actuated to turn the cauterizing rod on or off. A pull tab extends through the perimeter wall and is positioned in a cut off position breaking a circuit between the switch and the power source. The pull tab is removable from the housing to close the circuit.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first and second electrode assemblies can each include a rotary connection assembly to allow spatial orientation of the cutting window relative to the housing and/or cutting tip.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which result in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a system that maps the proximal and distal ablation subzones and their respective margins using the tools that are used to access the ablation target wherein the tools have markings to indicate which probe and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) system or vertebroplasty (VP) system to use. Examples of access tools comprise introducers, stylets, and bone drills. In some embodiments of the system, the probe has a marking indicating which BKP or VP system to use.

Abstract: An HF surgical instrument includes two instrument branches movable toward each other into a closing position. Each branch is equipped with at least one electrode and can be supplied with electric power from a power source. The HF instrument includes a separately configured bridge which is connectable to the power source via at least one electric connection or at least one electric line and includes at least one electrically conductive contact point for supplying the at least one electrode with electric power. The bridge can be introduced to at least one of the two branches so that the at least one contact point is electrically contacted by the at least one electrode. A method of assembling a HF surgical instrument includes equipping two instrument branches with at least one electrode.

Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (2), (3), movable between an open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. One or more spring members (15), (16), (17), (18), (19) are connected between the first and second jaw members (2), (3), such that moving the jaw members from their open position to their closed position causes the one or more spring members to compress. The one or more spring members have a fully compressed condition such that when in their fully compressed condition they form stop members to maintain the first and second jaw members (2), (3), at a predetermined spacing one from the other when in their closed position.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes jaws having an electrode configuration utilized to electrically modify tissue in contact with one or more electrodes. The instrument is removably connectable to an electrosurgical unit via an electrosurgical connector extending from the instrument and a receptacle on the electrosurgical unit. The electrosurgical instrument is rotatable without disrupting electrical connection to the electrodes of the jaws. One or more of the electrodes is retractable. The electrosurgical unit and instrument optimally seals and/or cuts tissue based on identifying the tissue and monitoring the modification of the tissue by the application of radio frequency energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tubular shaft for use with a surgical instrument grip for formation of an electrosurgical tubular shaft instrument is provided. The tubular shaft comprises a tube, an electrosurgical tool arranged at the distal end on the tubular shaft, at least one electric connection line electrically connected to the tool and extending in the tube, and at least one coupling element arranged at the proximal end on the tubular shaft for interacting with at least one corresponding coupling element of the instrument grip for releasably coupling the instrument grip to the tubular shaft. The tube comprises an outlet opening which is arranged distally of the at least one coupling element and through which the at least one connection line issues from the tube. The tubular shaft comprises an electric connection element for an electric energy supply. A surgical instrument grip and an electrosurgical tubular shaft instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a hot balloon catheter ablation system capable of achieving pulmonary vein isolation or ablation of atrial fibrillation in a safe and efficient manner. A highly directional pressure sensor 51 is provided coaxially in an anterior portion of a catheter shaft 1 within a balloon 6. As the result, there is monitored a pressing force against the balloon onto the tissue as well as a temperature of the balloon 6, impedances, potentials, and an energization time. Further, since the directional pressure sensor 51 is provided inside the balloon 6, there is monitored a pressing force from the balloon 6 onto the tissue with accuracy without being influenced by the swirls T of the liquid, thereby securing effective ablation of the target tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed systems, methods, and devices may include a system for removing a kidney stone from a ureter. The system may have an inner shaft extending coaxially within an outer shaft, a stone retention member shaft having a stone retention member and extending coaxially within the inner shaft, a wall protection member coupled to the outer shaft and the inner shaft, and a handle coupled with proximal ends of the outer shaft, the inner shaft, and the stone retention member shaft. The handle may include an eversion mechanism coupled to the inner shaft and configured to actuate the inner shaft, thereby everting the wall protection member to form a pocket adapted to receive a kidney stone. The system may also include a retention member mechanism coupled to the stone retention member shaft and configured to actuate the stone retention member shaft.

Abstract: According to the invention, the process includes the steps of : a) taking a sagittal preoperative x-ray of the vertebral column of the patient to be treated, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the femoral heads; b) on that x-ray, identifying points on S1, S2, T12 et C7 ; c) depicting, on the said x-ray, curved segments beginning at the center of the plate of S1 et going to the center of the plate of C7 ; e) identifying, on that x-ray, the correction(s) to be made to the vertebral column, including the identification of posterior osteotomies to make; f) pivoting portions of said x-ray relative to other portions of that x-ray, according to osteotomies to be made; g) performing, on said x-ray, a displacement of the sagittal curvature segment extending over the vertebral segment to be corrected; h) from a straight vertebral rod (TV), producing the curvature of that rod according to the shape of said sagittal curvature segment in said displacement position.

Abstract: A method is provided for planning, performing, and assessing of surgical correction to the spine during a spinal surgical procedure. This method is implemented by a control unit through a GUI to digitize screw locations, digitize anatomical reference points, accept one or more correction inputs, and generate one or more rod solution outputs shaped to engage the screws at locations distinct from the originally digitized locations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are device and methods for determining an orientation of an instrument for inserting a medical device in a bone. One such method includes simulating an insertion point and an orientation of a simulated surgical hardware installation on a diagnostic representation of the bone, and then using an electronic device to align an instrument for inserting a surgical hardware installation at a desired orientation through an insertion point of the bone by indicating when an orientation of the electronic device is within a threshold of the simulated orientation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for intraoperatively confirming location of tissue structures during medical procedures. Preoperative image data of a patient's skeletal structure in a vicinity of an anatomical part undergoing a medical procedure is acquired. During the procedure, after exposing tissue intraoperative image data is acquired by scanning a selected region of tissue, in a vicinity of the skeletal structure using Polarization Sensitive-Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT). Regions of tissue exhibiting structural organization in the vicinity of the skeletal structure are identified from the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data. Geometrically correlating and registering the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data with the preoperative image data of the skeletal structure in the vicinity of the anatomical part is then performed using a priori known anatomical information about the regions of tissue exhibiting structural information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for dental and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, comprising a surgical handpiece (2), an imaging unit (4) which is movably attached to the surgical handpiece (2), and a marker member (6; 44, 46) which is attachable to a cranial bone, a facial bone (26), a tooth or teeth of a patient. The marker member (6; 44, 46) comprises a plurality of marker elements (8, 10; 46) which are detectable by the imaging unit (4). Further, the invention relates to a positioning tool (40) for use with the navigation system, wherein the positioning tool (40) is configured for positioning the marker member (44, 46) on a patient's cranial bone, facial bone (26), tooth or teeth and comprises a die element (42) and the marker member (44, 46).

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of performing sonasurgery may include a room coordinate system and at least one probe with localization technology. A position of the probe may be tracked continuously during the course of a procedure so that its position is known and updated relative to a preoperative MRI/CT.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a catheter and delivering a needle to a desired anatomic location are provided. The system includes an injection catheter that includes a needle slidably exposed from, or retracted into, the catheter lumen. The system further includes a first acoustic marker located at a distal end of the catheter and configured to generate an acoustic signal, and a second acoustic marker located at the distal end of the retractable needle and configured to generate an acoustic signal. The acoustic markers allow, in conjunction with a Doppler ultrasound imaging system, identification and navigation of an injection catheter and delivering a needle to a desired anatomic target location.

Abstract: Collisions between a minimally invasive surgical instrument and patient tissue are prevented in various ways. In one aspect, a body cavity is mapped by recording positions of a surgical instrument, and the map is used to insert another surgical instrument. In another aspect, a surgical instrument is inserted into a space vacated by a guide tube. In yet another aspect, a volume is defined in which a control system permits an instrument to move, and the volume is a sum of one volume that is defined by previous movements of the instrument and other volume that is defined by the boundaries of an image capture component. In yet another aspect, a real time image of a surgical site is mosaiced over a previously recorded more distal image of the site. Surgical instruments are visible in the real time image, and representations of the surgical instruments as they would appear in the previously recorded image are generated and displayed on the previously recorded image.

Abstract: A method of making a patient specific surgical guide includes obtaining a virtual model of a fixation member, and virtually designing a guide that defines at least one hole that corresponds to a hole of the virtual model of the fixation member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a control device (25, 28, 29) for controlling a robot system (11) with at least one robot arm (14, 18) on which a surgical instrument (15, 19) is secured that has an end effector (17, 21), wherein the control device (25, 28, 29) comprises an imaging system (25, 28) that records the control specification of at least one hand (30L, 30R), evaluates it and converts it to corresponding control commands for one or more components of the robot system (11).