Abstract: Various exemplary surgical tool and robotic surgical system interfaces are provided. In general, a sterile barrier can be positioned between a robotic surgical system and a surgical tool releasably coupled to the robotic surgical system. The surgical tool can be in a sterile environment on one side of the sterile barrier, and the robotic surgical system can be in a non-sterile environment on the other, opposite side of the sterile barrier. The robotic surgical system can be configured to control movement of the surgical tool releasably coupled thereto using a magnetic field that extends across the sterile barrier between the surgical tool and the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: Various exemplary surgical tool and robotic surgical system interfaces are provided. In general, a sterile barrier can be positioned between a robotic surgical system and a surgical tool releasably coupled to the robotic surgical system. The surgical tool can be in a sterile environment on one side of the sterile barrier, and the robotic surgical system can be in a non-sterile environment on the other, opposite side of the sterile barrier. The robotic surgical system can be configured to control movement of the surgical tool releasably coupled thereto using a magnetic field that extends across the sterile barrier between the surgical tool and the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a minimally invasive cutting instrument includes a surgical cutting instrument. The surgical cutting instrument includes a drive unit, an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, and a garage for housing the cutting blade when the cutting blade is not in use. The end effector includes gripping jaws and a cutting blade. To perform a cutting operation, the instrument extends the cutting blade from a first position to a second position, retracts the cutting blade from the second position to a third position between the first and second positions, and further retracts the cutting blade to the first position. While the cutting blade is not in use, the cutting blade is maintained in the first position using a restraining mechanism in the drive unit, force or torque applied by a motor or other active actuator to the drive unit, or both.

Abstract: A surgical path setting method, for a surgical robot, comprises the steps of (a) the surgical robot's operating a first surgical path that has been preset with respect to a surgical site of a person to be operated on; (b) the surgical robot's confirming whether or not a surgical path reset command, transmitted from a surgical path setting device, has been received; (c) the surgical robot's stopping if the surgical path reset command has been received; (d) the surgical path setting device's receiving an input of surgical path form information; (e) the surgical path setting device's determining a second surgical path, which is a new surgical path, on the basis of the surgical path form information and then transmitting same to the surgical robot; and (f) the surgical robot's operating along the second surgical path.

Abstract: There is provided a guide apparatus for orienting a medical tool relative to and through a remote fulcrum or remote center of motion. The guide apparatus may comprise: at least one crank arm comprising at least a portion of a first hinged coupling for hinged coupling to a stabilizer; at least one link arm comprising at least a portion of a second hinged coupling for hinged coupling to the crank arm at a location spaced from the first hinged coupling; a tool holder for supporting a medical tool on the link arm at a location spaced from the first hinged coupling; wherein the rotational axes of the first and second hinged couplings intersect to define a remote fulcrum. The guide apparatus may be configured to be an open-loop spherical chain or a closed-loop spherical chain.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to robotic surgical systems and devices that use force and/or torque sensors to measure forces applied at various components of the system or device. Certain implementations include robotic surgical devices having one or more force/torque sensors that detect or measure one or more forces applied at or on one or more arms. Other embodiments relate to systems having a robotic surgical device that has one or more sensors and an external controller that has one or more motors such that the sensors transmit information that is used at the controller to actuate the motors to provide haptic feedback to a user.

Abstract: A catheter dressing system includes a catheter that may be inserted into a patient when the patient is undergoing a surgical procedure. A dressing is provided and the dressing is selectively adhered to the patient. The dressing covers the catheter thereby inhibiting the catheter from being contaminated and the dressing has a tear-away portion. A surgical drape is positioned on the patient when the patient is undergoing the surgical procedure. The surgical drape adhesively engages the tear-away portion of the dressing. The tear away portion is removed from the dressing when the surgical drape is removed from the patient such that the dressing remains on the catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for handling medicament delivery devices and is to be used with a safety container, where the medicament delivery devices have information retaining elements having information that is unique to specific medicament delivery devices, and which medicament delivery devices are to be put in a safety container after use. The disclosed device has an information obtaining mechanism operably arranged to obtain information from the medicament delivery devices placed into the safety container.

Abstract: Various exemplary surgical tool and robotic surgical system interfaces are provided. In general, a sterile barrier can be positioned between a robotic surgical system and a surgical tool releasably coupled to the robotic surgical system. The surgical tool can be in a sterile environment on one side of the sterile barrier, and the robotic surgical system can be in a non-sterile environment on the other, opposite side of the sterile barrier. The robotic surgical system can be configured to control movement of the surgical tool releasably coupled thereto using a magnetic field that extends across the sterile barrier between the surgical tool and the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an elongated medical device (1) suitable for intravascular insertion. Said device comprising a flexible elongated body (2) having a distal portion (3) with a distal end (4) and a proximal portion (5) and an optic force sensing assembly (20) disposed within said flexible elongated body (2) proximate said distal end.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A radiopaque composite wire for medical applications has a core comprising a rare earth metal, an outer layer comprising a nickel-titanium alloy disposed over the core, and a controlled diffusion zone between the core and the outer layer. The controlled diffusion zone includes at least one compound phase comprising (a) the rare earth metal and (b) nickel and/or titanium.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to releasable attachment devices for use with surgical tools that include a fixed jaw fixedly coupled to a joint housing, a moveable jaw rotationally coupled to the joint housing, and an actuation mechanism operably coupled to the joint housing.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for advanced electrode management in neurological monitoring applications include receiving sockets configured to receive connectors having groups of electrodes. The physician is not required to manually map each electrode with its corresponding input channel. Electrodes are coupled to the corresponding input channels in groups through connectors having a unique identification (ID). The system is configured to read the unique ID of each connector and establish its identity. Based on the ID, the system configures itself to automatically correlate or associate each electrode with its corresponding input channel when the connectors are first inserted into the receiving sockets, and again if the connectors are removed and re-inserted into different positions in the receiving sockets, to insure the electrodes are always mapped to the same input channels.

Abstract: A surgical tool assembly for forming holes in bone at precise locations and to controlled depths. The drilling tool has a leading apical tip and a shank. The shank includes an annular groove at a predetermined distance from the apical tip. An adjustable stop gauge is coupled to the shank. The stop gauge includes an indexing adapter which telescopically supports a tubular collar. The collar includes an integrated impeller that accentuates irrigation of the treatment site during surgical procedures. The adjustable stop gauge may be used in combination with a guided surgery jig. The jig includes a guide bushing having a generally semi-cylindrical alignment valley adapted to receive the spinning collar of the stop gauge. The alignment valley includes an elevated internal abutment step having a semi-annular surface adapted to engage the collar when the apical tip reaches a predetermined penetration depth in the bone.

Abstract: A drilling jig for drilling a drill hole into a jaw of a patient for a medical tooth implant. The drilling jig includes a prosthesis adapted to at least one of teeth and the jaw of the patient and a drilling model. The prosthesis has a bipartite design and includes an individualized part adapted to the teeth, and a standardized plate part with at least two reference markers suitable to provide reference points in digital images of the prosthesis and a first coupling part which couples the drilling model to the prosthesis. The drilling model is a standardized part which includes a drill channel adapted to the medical tooth implant, and a second coupling part adaptable to the prosthesis so that the prosthesis and the drilling model are connectable with each other through the first and second coupling parts.

Abstract: An orthodontic guide tray includes a tray surface at least partially congruent with a tooth surface. The orthodontic guide tray includes at least one opening in the gingival direction. The at least one opening is configured to be larger than a pad of a bracket to be placed on a tooth. At least one registration feature extends from a first side interior the opening. The at least one registration features is configured to define a prescribed bracket placement.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biocompatible dental implant systems comprising: an implant body comprising a top collar; and an abutment comprising a first coupling region and a second coupling region; wherein the first coupling region is mechanically coupled to the top collar, and the second coupling region is mechanically coupled to a crown, and wherein at least a portion of a surface of the abutment includes one or more nanotube arrays, the one or more nanotube arrays comprising a plurality of nanotubes separated by a plurality of empty spaces.

Abstract: In a jaw implant for oral, subperiosteal placement over the alveolar ridge of the maxilla or of the mandible, the implant forms a body which in cross-section, in the condition in which it has been placed on the alveolar ridge transverse to the alveolar ridge, has been formed concave towards the alveolar ridge, wherein in or near a first portion forming the base of the body, in particular forming the base of the J, L or U, the body has been provided with one or more supporting areas for support members, such as pillars, for extending through the gingiva, the support members forming a support for an exo-prosthesis, wherein the supporting areas have been connected to the rest of the body via relatively weakened areas of the body, in particular have been connected to the rest of the body via those relatively weakened areas of the body only.

Abstract: A reinforcement bar combination for a direct dental bridge, the reinforcement bar combination including: first and second elongate bars, each of the first and second elongate bars contacting a single occlusal preparation formed in a single abutment tooth and each of the first and second elongate bars having an end positioned on a central pad of a third elongate bar to form a reinforcement scaffold. The first elongate bar is a first elongate torque bar that is optionally bent. The second elongate bar is a second elongate torque bar that is optionally bent.

Abstract: It is provided an equipment for treatment of a person, wherein the equipment is configured to achieve a target denture geometry characterized by a target denture plane (3), the target denture plane lying parallel to an internal ear line (11) through a left internal ear point (7) and a right internal ear point (9) of the person. Further, a manufacturing method is provided.

Abstract: A device for tooth shade measurement comprising a housing, a handle and a measuring head, characterized in that said measuring head includes a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, said hollow body comprising a proximal end, a bent distal end relative to the longitudinal axis, said distal end being provided with a removable tip designed to come into contact with a tooth surface to be analyzed, at least one light source and image acquisition means, integral with the hollow body, said hollow body being adapted to transmit the light from said light source from the proximal end up to the distal end, and in that said device comprises an orientation assembly for mounting the proximal end of the hollow body in the housing so that the measuring head occupies different angular positions relative to the housing.

Abstract: Dental prostheses may be manufactured based on electronic models of the prostheses. Manufacturing aids may be used to check manufacturing quality of the dental prosthesis and components thereof. For example, a jig may be used during and after the manufacture of the dental prostheses and systems and methods for using the same. A customized tooth die may be designed and fabricated to fit a dental prosthesis or components thereof in a jig for inspection. A customized jig may be designed and fabricated for inspecting a dental prosthesis or components thereof throughout the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. The casting jig includes an opening through the bottom surface through which an elongate handle may be inserted, allowing a temporary abutment to be coupled into the distal end of the elongate handle, so that the abutment is disposed in the well, held in place by the handle, as it is used as a core about which the anatomical healing cuff body is formed. A crown forming jig for forming an inexpensive, chair-side prepared bis-acrylic temporary crown that may be easily and quickly installed over the anatomical healing cuff body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable, portable and compact fluid and floss dispenser that is substantially rectangularly shaped with dispensers for fluid located at each of the four slanted configured corners and pop up spindle for dispensing floss and a mirror located on the bottom surface of the dispenser housing three layers or sections and an outer frame housing and connecting the three layers together, said three layers including top layer having a pop up floss spindle which pops up when pressed and rotated, said spindle portion having floss is wound about for dispensing by a user. Flaps located on said top layer and in registration with fluid or foam containers to located on said second level so that when each flap is pressed downward it exerts pressure on tis respective fluid or foam container to dispense fluid or foam from a nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing electricity are provided for non-human animals. Electrodes are used to deliver an electrical current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing genetic merit of swine by establishing a plurality of mating subtypes for a line of swine, and determining a percentage of progeny that are male for each of the mating subtypes, or a percentage of progeny that are female for each of the mating subtypes, that would result, relative to a control, in an increase in genetic merit in the line; the invention further relates to sorting a sperm cell sample from a male swine in one of the mating subtypes into one or more subpopulations of sperm cells, wherein a majority of sperm cells in a subpopulation of sperm cells bear X chromosomes or Y chromosomes, and inseminating one or more female swine in the one of the mating subtypes with the subpopulation of sperm cells to achieve the percentage of progeny that are male, or the percentage of progeny that are female, determined to increase genetic merit relative to the control.

Abstract: A device and system to improve sexual intercourse by adjusting the diameter of the vaginal channel. In one embodiment, a vaginal strap comprises an implantable elongated semi-flexible biocompatible strap having a first and a second side. The strap further comprises a ribbed section, a middle section and a fastener section. The ribbed section comprises a plurality of parallel ribs and said fastener section comprises a fastener. The ribbed section engages said fastener, resulting in a circular loop that reduces vaginal diameter when implanted in a patient.

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of occluded alkali metal cations from an MSE-framework type molecular sieve comprises either (a) contacting the molecular sieve with a solution containing ammonium ions at a temperature of at least about 50° C. to ammonium-exchange at least part of the occluded potassium ions or (b) contacting the molecular sieve with steam at a temperature of at least about 300° C. and then subjecting the steamed molecular sieve to ammonium exchange.

Abstract: Various embodiments of craniofacial implants, surgical instruments, and techniques are described to provide improved surgical results.

Abstract: A surgical implant (20) comprises a flexible basic structure (22) having a face and a plurality of resorbable film pieces (26) attached to the face of the basic structure (22). Each film piece (26) comprises a plurality of solid protrusions (28) emerging from the respective film piece (26) is a direction. away from the basic structure (22).

Abstract: A device for providing access to a nodule, lesion, or pathological area in a lung or other body organ or lumen. The device includes a sheath portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of stabilization wires. The sheath portion includes a primary lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of secondary lumens that extend from the proximal end to the distal end. The stabilization wires are configured to be slidably received within the secondary lumens. The length of the stabilization wires is greater than the length of the secondary lumens.

Abstract: Various implementations of a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device include a catheter, a filter, and an expandable balloon. The filter is coupled adjacent a distal end of the catheter and is movable between an unexpanded and expanded configuration via a filter activation wire extending through a lumen of the catheter. An anti-stenotic therapeutic agent is disposed on an outer surface of the balloon, and the balloon is disposed on the catheter proximally of the filter. An axial movable sheath is positioned over the balloon and filter during deployment to a target site and is axially retracted away from the filter and balloon prior to treatment of a lesion. At the target site, the exposed filter is expanded via the filter activation wire. Then, the exposed balloon is inflated to dilate and deliver the therapeutic agent to the lesion.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, or a semi-finished part for an implant, having a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the body includes magnesium, and the body is enriched with gallium or a gallium alloy in a region close to a surface.

Abstract: A device for treating acid reflux comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned for insertion into the esophagus of the patient, the sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sleeve includes a an inner member applying a radial force on the sleeve for securement within the esophagus, and a skirt connected to the sleeve to block acid backup from the stomach while not inhibiting passage of food into the stomach.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for a graft fixation device for fixing a graft member within a bone tunnel. In one embodiment, a graft fixation device is provided having a radially expandable sheath adapted to be disposed within a bone tunnel, and a sheath expander adapted to be received within the radially expandable sheath to expand the sheath and thereby anchor a graft between the sheath and the bone tunnel. In an exemplary embodiment, the graft fixation device is particularly useful to affix a graft within a femoral tunnel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue anchoring device is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and inside surfaces of a bone tunnel to secure the tissue within the tunnel. Methods are described that enable use of the bone anchoring device to secure a tissue graft into the tibial and femoral bones during anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”) reconstruction.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a keratoprosthesis assembly comprising a central optical core; and a peripheral skirt comprising at least one porous biocompatible layer and methods of using it in keratoprosthesis procedures.

Abstract: An adjustable optical power intraocular lens includes a flexible lens, flexible haptics and flexible cushions. At least one of these elements is made of a UV sensitive material that can be made rigid by UV radiation.

Abstract: Bifurcated haptic aligner actuators (BHAAs) have an anterior and a posterior lens support ring to each of which is pivotively attached a plurality of center-pivoted struts, at least two of which comprise an opposing pair, and to each of the opposing pair of struts is pivotably attached a bifurcated haptic, one haptic branch being pivotably attached to the anterior part of a strut, the other branch of the same haptic being similarly attached to the posterior part of the same strut.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens comprises a first lens component, a second lens component, and an adhesive between portions of the two lens components. The cured adhesive bonds the lens components to form a fluid chamber. The lens components are bonded to one another along a seam which extends circumferentially along at least a portion of the lens components. The lens components may comprise the same polymer material. The cured adhesive also comprises the polymer or a prepolymer of the polymer to provide increased strength. The polymer is hydratable such that the lens components and the cured adhesive therebetween can swell together to inhibit stresses between the lens components and the cured adhesive.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes fixed and actuatable tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively. Drug delivery capabilities and/or sensing capabilities may be incorporated into the base. Injector devices may be used to facilitate placement of the base and the lens sequentially or simultaneously into the eye.

Abstract: An inner ear fluid circulation system includes an implantable circulation pump that has a pump inlet and a pump outlet both in fluid communication with inner ear fluid of an implanted patient. The circulation pump is configured to drive the inner ear fluid in from the pump inlet and out through the pump outlet. A pump controller is coupled to the circulation pump and one or more sensing elements for measurement of one or more fluid conditions within the inner ear of the implanted patient, and is configured to control operation of the circulation pump as a function of the measured one or more fluid conditions. Also disclosed is a cochlear implant arrangement and a vestibular implant arrangement comprising such a fluid circulation system.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve (1) for implantation at the mitral annulus of a heart, the prosthetic heart valve comprising: a support framework (10) reversibly transformable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and one or more leaflets connected to the framework; wherein, in the expanded configuration: the support framework defines a fluid pathway through the prosthetic heart valve, the fluid pathway having a portion with a D-shaped cross section for engaging the mitral annulus; and the one or more leaflets allow fluid to pass through the fluid pathway in a first direction but prevent fluid from flowing in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A heart valve system, the system including a radially self-expandable tubular body, a valve, and a tubular fabric. The tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end. The valve being coupled to the tubular body and including a plurality of valve leaflets. The fabric being disposed on an outer surface of the tubular body, and the fabric having an inflow end and an outflow end, Furthermore, the outflow end of the fabric being directly connected to an outer circumferential edge of the valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure attachment features (“CAFs”) is disposed on the stent, with each CAF including a body and a plurality of eyelets. The eyelets may be arranged in a single column or in a plurality of rows and columns. The prosthetic heart valve also includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure attachment features. The bodies of the CAFs may include a number of other features including, for example, a slot extending between columns of eyelets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to prostheses including a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end, and a motion limiting member attached to the distal end of the support structure, wherein the motion limiting member is configured to restrict radial expansion of the distal end of the support structure. Methods for delivering the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to repair devices configured for use in fixing or approximating tissues, such as cardiac valve tissues and particularly the leaflets of a regurgitant mitral valve. The repair device includes a shaft, a pair of proximal elements pivotally coupled to the shaft and extending from the shaft, and a pair of distal elements pivotally coupled to the shaft and extending from the shaft. The proximal and distal elements are configured so that targeted tissue can be grasped therebetween. The distal elements and/or the proximal elements include adjustable arms that can be extended and retracted to adjust the length of the gripping elements to provide more effective grasping of targeted tissues.