Abstract: A medical instrument according to the present disclosure includes: a contact portion configured to contact body tissue; a drive unit configured to generate drive force for causing the contact portion to contact the body tissue; and a limiter mechanism configured to impose restriction on transmission of the drive force to the contact portion, in accordance with contact force of the contact portion with respect to the body tissue. This configuration makes it possible to restrict force applied to body tissue during surgery, and to reduce failure risk, with a simple configuration.

Abstract: Generally, a sterile adapter for use in robotic surgery may include a frame configured to be interposed between a tool driver and a surgical tool, a plate assembly coupled to the frame, and at least one rotatable coupler supported by the plate assembly and configured to communicate torque from an output drive of the tool driver to an input drive of the surgical tool.

Abstract: A storage system, including a storage element having a plurality of receptacles configured to store one or more tools therein, the storage element defining at least one aperture therethrough; an anchoring element configured to at least partially pass through the at least one aperture, the anchoring element having: a substantially cylindrical housing defining a passage therethrough; a plurality of clamping bodies circumscribing the passage and controllably movable towards the passage; and an actuator coupled to housing, where rotational operation of the actuator moves each of the clamping bodies along a substantially linear path towards the passage in order to at least partially obstruct the passage.

Abstract: A single use disposable sterile kit, including a sterile sealed container including a first module configured to fit within the sterile sealed container including a single bone plate including a plurality of fastener apertures, and a fastener housing including a plurality of protrusions on the top of the fastener housing, a plurality of stairs extending downward from the top of the fastener housing and a plurality of concave depressions located on the top surface of the plurality of stairs for housing a plurality of fasteners, each of the plurality of fasteners including a head and a shaft.

Abstract: A single use disposable surgical kit, including a sterile sealed container including a module configured to fit within the sterile sealed container including surgical instruments housed in a bottom tray including a first fastening feature; and a lid including a second fastening feature congruently aligned with the first fastening feature, wherein the first fastening feature is one of a tab portion and a mating slot, the second fastening feature is the other of the tab portion and the mating slot, and the second fastening feature is configured to engage with the first fastening feature.

Abstract: A headlamp magnetically mounted on a magnifying loupe for use in cosmetic, dental, medical, surgical, hobby and any other fields where an individual would find the ability to simultaneously illuminate and magnify a small area to be advantageous. The headlamp would contain an internal power source, so that there is no longer a need for a cable to connect the headlamp with the bulky external power source that is found in traditional loupe mounted headlamps.

Abstract: A stand apparatus, which can be built and assembled/disassembled in a modular manner, is shown and described. In particular embodiments, a bushing for a stand apparatus for arrangement in an operation theater, comprising a coupling part, by means of which the bushing can be mounted on a connecting component of the stand apparatus about a rotational axis and/or along the rotational axis in a height-adjustable manner—in particular, on a spindle—and a section on which the bushing can be connected to a support arm of the stand apparatus, wherein the section is a mounting section, by means of which the bushing can be mounted on the support arm in a reversible manner—in particular, by means of one or more fastening means. Further embodiments comprise a support arm for fastening to a bushing, as well as a support system, consisting of at least one such bushing and one such support arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosis or treatment of a vessel or organ. The apparatus includes a deformable body such as a catheter having a tissue ablation end effector and an irrigation channel in fluid communication therewith. At least two sensors are disposed within a distal extremity of the deformable body, the sensors being responsive to a wave in a specified range of frequency to detect deformations resulting from a contact force applied to the distal extremity. A microprocessor can be operatively coupled with the sensors to receive outputs therefrom, the microprocessor being configured to resolve a multi-dimensional force vector corresponding to the contact force. In one embodiment, the sensors are fiber Bragg grating sensors, and the wave is injected into the fiber Bragg grating strain sensors from a laser diode.

Abstract: A motor-driven dental device has a motor control that is responsive to a load placed upon the motor. More specifically, the invention relates to a dental device having motor that drives a tool, wherein the tool is activated or otherwise controlled in response to a load placed upon the motor through the tool, such as by touching the tool to a surface. The tool may also be controlled by the sustenance, over a predetermined time period, of an increase or decrease in motor current beyond a predetermined hysteresis current threshold. The motor may be an electric motor, a rotary electric motor, and air driven motor, an ultrasonic device or the like.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing digital brackets for orthodontics, including: loading an oral scan image obtained corresponding to an internal profile of an oral cavity of a subject and extracting one virtual orthodontic template corresponding to each of tooth images virtually adjusted according to a preset consecutive tooth arrangement structure from a digital library, aligning and disposing each of virtual brackets and a virtual wire of the extracted virtual orthodontic template corresponding to the consecutive tooth arrangement structure of each of the tooth images, and designing each of digital brackets configured to include a jig portion assembled with a top of each of the virtual brackets to surround a top of each of the tooth images and a grip protrusion portion configured to protrude from a top end of the jig portion while being integrated therewith, and three-dimensionally printing each of the digital brackets based on design data.

Abstract: A processing device receives image data of an actual condition of a patient's dental arch at an intermediate stage of a multistage orthodontic treatment plan. The processing device compares the image data of the actual condition of the patient's dental arch to a planned condition of the patient's dental arch for the intermediate stage. The processing device identifies one or more clinical signs that the actual condition of the patient's dental arch has a deviation from the planned condition of the patient's dental arch for the intermediate stage of the multi-stage orthodontic treatment plan based on a result of the comparing. The processing device determines one or more probable root causes for the deviation based on the one or more clinical signs. The processing device additionally determines one or more corrective actions for the multi-stage orthodontic treatment plan based on the one or more probable root causes.

Abstract: A customized orthodontic archwire fabrication kit and a method of fabricating an orthodontic archwire using the same are disclosed. The orthodontic archwire fabrication kit according to the present disclosure comprises: a jig base formed by perforating the pairs of inner fastening holes and outer fastening holes corresponding to the positions of teeth on a dental setup model of a patient; a jig comprising at one end a first head through which a first through hole is penetrated, at the other end a second head through which a second through hole is penetrated, and a body connecting the first head and the second head and having a wire ligation slot recessed on a portion of the top of the body; a fixing screw corresponding to the dimensions of the first through hole and inner fastening hole; and a fixture corresponding to the dimensions of the second through hole and outer fastening hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a removable lingual-vestibular dental alignment device comprising an assembly of independent caps (12). The inner part of each cover (12) includes a fissure (14) for coupling to a fixing element (21, 24, and 27) adhered to the tooth (20) and outer elements (13) facilitating the passage of the dental arch (16) having a circular, square or rectangular section. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the caps (12) that includes scanning the mold of the denture and working on a virtual mold in order to include the corrective elements. The caps (12, 35) are produced after printing the result of the denture (9) with the different elements and subsequent stamping method or from the printing of a file corresponding to a virtual cap produced on the virtual denture (8) that includes the virtual cuboids (4) and virtual half-spheres (5).

Abstract: An orthodontic post and pin assembly including a post structure, being slotted at its back end, for accommodating a pin therethrough, the post includes a further slot into which the wire of an orthodontic appliance may locate, so that when the post and pin assembly are connected onto the wire, and a hybrid screw is tighten within the post, the appliance may become affixed to the wire at the position of its tightening and securement. This eliminates the need for removal of the wire, when a different or different size orthodontic appliance needs to be installed.

Abstract: A dental implant has a body and a plurality of distinct roots that extend outwardly from the main portion that generally define a coronal-apical axis. A porous tantalum metal portion is disposed at the body for engaging bone and the plurality of distinct roots are configured to resist a torsional force that is applied to the dental implant and around the coronal-apical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter (1, 1?) for attaching a dental superstructure (50) to a dental implant (30). The adapter (1, 1?) comprises a coronal attachment portion (2, 2?) for attaching the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental superstructure (50), an apical attachment portion (4) for attaching the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental implant (30) and an intermediate portion (6) arranged between the coronal attachment portion (2, 2?) and the apical attachment portion (4). The apical attachment portion (4) is a protrusion defining an apical end portion of the adapter (1, 1?) and configured to be received in a corresponding recess (32) of the dental implant (30). The protrusion is rotationally symmetric, so that the adapter (1, 1?) is rotatable relative to the dental implant (30) in the state of attachment of the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental implant (30). Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising the dental superstructure (50) and at least one such adapter (1, 1?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a retention element (1) for attaching a first dental component (20), such as an abutment, to a second dental component (30), such as a dental implant. The retention element (1) comprises a coronal attachment portion (2) for attaching the retention element (1) to the first dental component (20), and an apical attachment portion (4) for attaching the retention element (1) to the second dental component (30). The retention element (1) is elastically deformable at least in all directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2). The apical attachment portion (4) comprises at least one projection (8) extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2).

Abstract: A light curing dental system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure a dental material. The light curing dental system generally includes a light source, a light emitting dental tray, an activation module and a photocurable dental material.

Abstract: A light curing dental system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure a dental material. The light curing dental system generally includes a light source, a light emitting dental tray, an activation module and a photocurable dental material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the virtual secondary machining of a virtual three-dimensional gingiva model, said model having been created during the planning of an artificial gingiva. Here, the virtual gingiva model is virtually machined by at least one defined three-dimensional surface structure of the gingiva model being modified by means of a virtual tool using a computer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a dental implant prosthesis using a digital library, the method including a first step of acquiring a three-dimensional integrated image through image matching of a computerized tomography (CT) image and an oral scan image related to an inside of an oral cavity of a person to be treated, a second step of virtually forming a bored hole according to an implant placement position preset in the three-dimensional integrated image, a third step of calculating a set value on the basis of a depth of the bored hole, a fourth step of extracting a single virtual digital one-body abutment corresponding to the set value, and a fifth step of setting a shape-matching portion inside the crown according to three-dimensional outer shape information of the virtually arranged virtual digital one-body abutment.

Abstract: A method for designing and manufacturing implant based restorations is disclosed. The method involves the use of Scannable Temporary Anatomic References to provide very reliable, fixed points of reference to enable a technician to relate and superimpose the dental implant position to a pre-planned restoration with a very high degree of accuracy throughout the entire workflow. The method can be carried out by placing Scannable Temporary Anatomic References in a jaw, on teeth, and/or in implants, collecting images by scanning a mouth, relating those images to images of a appearance of desired dental implant based restoration, placing an implant in the jaw, scanning the scannable temporary anatomic references to create a new set of images, relating the images, and producing a restoration based on the images.

Abstract: A method of making a dental article, has steps of (i) providing a layer of sinter powder, (ii) providing a solidifiable binder to form a circumferential fixation zone (114) which encloses a portion of the powder layer. The method further has the step of repeating steps (i) and (ii) with each fixation zone (114) of one layer being in contact with a fixation zone (114) of an adjacent layer such that a plurality of the fixation zones (114) together form a coherent hollow sleeve (116) extending across the layers. The corresponding plurality of powder portions in combination form a contiguous batch (118) of powder captured in the sleeve. The method facilitates the manufacturing of sintered dental articles.

Abstract: Dental restorations are created by preparing a hydrocolloid mold for such dental appliances as crowns and bridges. A slurry of zirconia powder and 3-O-acryloyl-D-glucose is prepared. The slurry is gelcast in the hydrocolloid mold with polymerization of the 3-O-acryloyl-D-glucose to a green body. The green body is dried and machined to the form of the dental restoration. The polymerized 3-O-acryloyl-D-glucose is then burned from the machined green body. The remaining zirconia body in the form of the dental restoration is then sintered to form the finished device.

Abstract: A housing interlock (90) for a power toothbrush (10) configured to improve the durability of the toothbrush and to simplify the assembly process. The housing interlock (90) provides for tolerance mitigation and shock protection, and also provides housing interlock tabs (95) such that the housing interlock can secure the components within the housing.

Abstract: A light curing dental system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure a dental material. The light curing dental system generally includes a light source, a light emitting dental tray, an activation module and a photocurable dental material.

Abstract: A light curing impression system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure impression material. The light curing impression system generally includes an LED light source, a light emitting impression tray, an activation module and impression material.

Abstract: A light curing dental system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure a dental material. The light curing dental system generally includes a light source, a light emitting dental tray, an activation module and a photocurable dental material.

Abstract: An occlusal state identifying method executed by a processor included in an occlusal state identifying apparatus, the occlusal state identifying method includes obtaining maxillary shape data and mandibular shape data; arranging a maxillary image including a plurality of maxillary teeth corresponding to the obtained maxillary shape data and a mandibular image including a plurality of mandibular teeth corresponding to the obtained mandibular shape data such that corresponding teeth oppose each other; executing a moving process of moving at least one of the arranged maxillary image and mandibular image by executing a dynamic simulation; and identifying a positional relationship between the maxillary image and the mandibular image after the moving process as a positional relationship corresponding to an occlusal state of the maxillary teeth included in the maxillary image and the mandibular teeth included in the mandibular image.

Abstract: A method for generating movement rotation information includes: acquiring a jaw image including a plurality of teeth; specifying first position information indicative of positions of three or more points individually corresponding to three or more types of teeth included in the jaw image; acquiring, in accordance with positional relationship information that associates types of teeth with second position information indicating positions of reference points, the second position information corresponding to three or more reference points individually corresponding to the three or more types of teeth; calculating movement rotation information so that a plane including the three or more points is made coincide with a reference plane including the three or more reference points, the movement rotation information including at least either of a movement amount and a rotation amount with respect to the plane including the three or more points; and outputting the movement rotation information.

Abstract: A two-part treatment film may include a barrier layer, a gelatinous composition layer, and at least one active ingredient adhered to the gelatinous composition layer. The barrier layer may be a flexible film that is insoluble in water. In some embodiments, the at least one active ingredient may be in the form of dried particles. In other embodiments, the at least one active ingredient may be in the form of microspheres filled with an active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for bleaching teeth comprising applying a first bleaching composition having a first concentration of a bleaching agent to teeth to be bleached immediately followed by applying a second bleaching composition having a second concentration of a bleaching agent to teeth to be bleached. The second concentration of the bleaching agent is less than the first concentration of the bleaching agent.

Abstract: Provided is a rotatable surgical apparatus and accompanying method for processing a specimen via the rotatable surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus may include a base member and a platform member where the platform member and base member abut. Each of the base member and platform member may define one or more channel. The one or more base channels may be in fluid communication with the one or more platform channels. A nozzle may be disposed on the top surface of the platform member, in fluid communication with the at least one platform channel and may administer anesthetic to a specimen.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include an insertion device that can enclose and support a hyaluronic thread as it is injected into a patient's skin or other tissue. The device can include a cover member, a non-tubular support member, and the thread. The cover member can have a proximal portion, a closed distal portion, and an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the closed distal portion. The thread can be positioned along a longitudinal length of support member, between the support member and the cover member. The non-tubular support member can extend within the inner cavity of the cover member. The cover member can be moveable relative to the support member to expose the thread.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include a hyaluronic thread coupled with an insertion device that can provide a supportive enclosure for the thread as it is injected into a patient's skin or other tissue. The device can include a cover member, a base, and a thread. The cover member can have a proximal portion, a closed distal portion, and an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the closed distal portion. The thread can be positioned within the inner cavity and extend from the base toward the closed distal portion. The base can be removably coupled to the proximal portion of the cover member. In use, the cover member is insertable into a patient and separable from the base to expose the thread.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include a hyaluronic thread that is coupled at along distal portion with an insertion device. The insertion device can include a cover member and a piston that can collectively facilitate engagement with or disengagement of the distal portion of the thread with the device. For example, the piston can be positioned within an inner cavity of the cover member, and the distal portion of the thread can be engaged by and/or between the piston and the cover member. The thread can be released by movement of the piston relative to the cover member. Thus, some insertion devices can grasp or engage the distal portion of the thread and “push” the distal portion thread into and through into skin or other tissue of a patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include an insertion device having moveable portions that can retain, move, or otherwise control engagement and injection of a hyaluronic thread. The device can include a tubular member and a handle. The handle can include a body component coupled to the tubular member. The body component can include a passage that extends in communication with the lumen. The handle can further comprise first and second arms coupled to the body component and extending outwardly from the distal portion of the tubular member. Based on the configuration, the first and second arms can be positioned along the passage to change a cross-sectional profile of the passage and permit the device to engage or disengage the thread.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include an insertion device having moveable portions that can retain, move, or otherwise control engagement and injection of a hyaluronic thread. The device can include a tubular member and a handle. The handle can include two or more components that each include apertures through which a needle can be placed. The handle can be manipulated to align or offset the apertures with respect to each other to modify a clearance through the apertures and selectively engage or disengage the needle or thread.

Abstract: A delivery device for inserting a prosthesis to repair a muscle wall defect has platen and a handle attached to the platen. The platen is collapsible to a reduced configuration. A prosthesis is formed with a pocket to receive the platen and can be maneuvered in to position with the handle. After the prosthesis is secured, the platen is removed.

Abstract: Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for stabilizing dry prosthetic tissue implants such as heart valves during storage. The packaging assembly can be used for storing a bioprosthetic heart valve without a liquid preservative solution. The packaging assembly can comprise a holder comprising an engagement structure configured for removably attaching a bioprosthetic heart valve, the holder comprising a shaft. The packaging assembly can also include a storage tray comprising a cavity and an insert sized to provide a cap over the cavity of the storage tray, the insert comprising a slot having a closed central end and an open outer periphery. The shaft of the holder can be non-rotatably retained at the closed central end, wherein the insert defines a flat, generally planar disc comprising at least one of outward projections and flow passages.

Abstract: An aortic arch embolic protection device may include an anchoring structure including a first anchoring ring at an upstream end and a second anchoring ring at a downstream end. A first filter element may extend from the first anchoring ring to the second anchoring ring and define a lumen through the aortic arch embolic protection device. A second filter element may be disposed within the lumen of the first filter element, wherein the second filter element includes an access port configured to facilitate passage of an interventional catheter through the access port. The anchoring structure may include a tubular scaffold extending from the first anchoring ring to the second anchoring ring. The second filter element may extend from the second anchoring ring upstream to the access port. The second filter element may extend transversely across the lumen of the first filter element at a plurality of axial locations.

Abstract: Synthetic polymeric vascular grafts that promote endothelial healing and methods of their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: A graft prosthesis coupler includes a plurality of luminal grafts, each of which defines a first end, and a second end and a major longitudinal axis, the major longitudinal axes being substantially parallel to each other. The graft prosthesis coupler also includes a circumferential graft that has first and second ends and extends about the plurality of luminal grafts, and a first end wall that lies in a surface defined by the first ends of the luminal grafts and the first end of the circumferential graft. In another embodiment, a graft prosthesis coupler includes a plurality of luminal grafts attached to each other. A modular graft system includes the graft prosthesis coupler and branch graft prostheses. The graft prosthesis coupler can be implanted in a patient at a site of an aneurysm to facilitate implanting the branch graft prostheses into branch vessels at the site of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A vascular flow diverter includes a tubular mesh framework which includes a mesh cover and an opening. The tubular mesh framework is collapsible and configured to expand from a collapsed shape to a tubular shape when the vascular flow diverter is deployed. The mesh cover conforms to the shape of the tubular mesh, is surrounded by the tubular mesh framework, and is less porous than the tubular mesh framework. The opening is located within the mesh cover. A delivery wire passes through the opening in order to guide the flow diverter into place over an aneurysm.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include arranging an implantable flow restriction device within the aorta of a patient. The methods may also include physical dimensions of the implantable flow restriction device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a delivery catheter, including a primary stent-graft and a flared endovascular stent-graft, which is configured to initially be positioned in the delivery catheter in a radially-compressed state, and to assume a radially-expanded state upon being deployed from the delivery catheter.

Abstract: An implantable vascular device comprises an expandable and compressible implant body, a housing, a rotatable member, and a locking member. The housing is coupled to a first end portion of the implant body. The rotatable member is coupled to the housing and to a second end portion of the implant body such that rotating the rotatable member relative to the housing and the implant body expands or contracts the implant body. The locking member is coupled to the rotatable member and configured to move between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the locking member allows the rotatable member to be rotated relative to the housing and the implant body. In the locked state, the locking member prevents the rotatable member from being rotated relative to the housing and the implant body.

Abstract: This disclosure details methods for improving the joint kinematics of an unstable joint. An exemplary method includes reconstructing an anterior cable region of a superior capsule of a glenohumeral joint. The anterior cable region may be reconstructed by fixating a graft at a greater tuberosity of a humerus to stabilize a glenohumeral joint. The graft is generally localized at the anatomical attachment site of the native anterior cable of the superior capsular ligament and extends from a superior glenoid to an anatomical attachment site of the native capsule or anterior cable. The graft can be an autograft or an allograft.

Abstract: An internal long term absorbable matrix brassiere including a ring member adapted to be fixed to the chest of a woman and a frusto-conical, pleated scaffold member, fixed within the ring member.

Abstract: A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss. The method can he used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss and are characterized by a positive change in refractive index.