Abstract: A sterile barrier assembly includes a linear drive section and a rotation drive section. The linear drive section includes a corrugated portion interfacing with an axial output of an instrument driving unit on a non-sterile side and an engaging portion interfacing with a tool assembly of a surgical instrument on a sterile side. The rotational drive section includes a first engaging portion interfacing with a rotational output of the instrument driving unit on the non-sterile side and a second engaging portion interfacing with the tool assembly of the surgical instrument on the sterile side.

Abstract: Adjustable surgical drapes are provided for easily modifying the size of fenestrations in the drape to accommodate patients of different sizes.

Abstract: A catheter dressing system for providing enhanced isolation and protection of a catheter site from potential contamination during a surgical procedure includes a dressing adhered to a patient covering a catheter. The dressing has a top layer removably covering a base layer. The base layer adheres to the catheter and the patient. The top layer is fluid impermeable. A surgical drape adhesively engages the top layer more strongly than the top layer is engaged to the base layer wherein removal of the surgical drape separates the top layer from the base layer when the surgical drape is removed leaving the base layer uncontaminated and in place covering the catheter after removal of the surgical drape.

Abstract: A tissue protector has a body structure having a longitudinal extending thin web. The body structure has an unconstrained first shape configured to form a nerve shield and is configured to shrink about a longitudinal axis to a smaller constrained second shape sized to fit into a lumen of a cannula. Preferably, the second constrained shape is oval or round having a maximum diameter equal or less than an inside diameter of the lumen. The body structure is configured to return to the first shape when the cannula is withdrawn or returned to this shape as the implant advances.

Abstract: A removable tip for a light energy handpiece comprises a hollow conduit configured to surround a light guide in the handpiece; a support extension having a length longer than a length of the hollow conduit; and a shielding extension coupled to the support extension at an angle less than 180 degrees and located in front of the hollow conduit. The shielding extension is configured to be inserted behind an eyelid and extend to the fornix, the shielding extension comprised of a thermally insulative material.

Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for providing subjacent support to a head of a patient, and multiple lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The central head support includes a cushion with one or more chambers that are fillable with a material. Similarly, the lateral head supports include respective pads with chambers that are fillable with a material. In some instances, the cushion and the pads used with the HFDs can include ports that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers of the cushion and/or pads.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for removing an occluding object from a surgical image. An image capture device is inserted into a patient and captures an initial image of a surgical site inside the patient during a surgical procedure. A controller receives the image and determines that the occluding object is present in the initial image. The controller executes a removal algorithm that includes controlling the image capture device to perform a plurality of movements, controlling the image capture device to capture a plurality of images, wherein each image among the plurality of images corresponds to a movement among the plurality of movements, and applying an image filter to combine the initial image and the plurality of images and generate a processed image where the occluding object is removed from the processed image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible application aid for the treatment of wounds. The application aid can be used in particular for the debridement and/or cleansing of wounds, including the skin surrounding the wound. The application aid according to the invention including a flexible or elastically deformable application wand, facilitates debridement of superficial to deep wounds without the risk of injury to the wound.

Abstract: Method for producing a dentist tool formed by an overlay to be used by a dentist in removing tooth structure, said method comprising the steps of: acquiring three-dimensional data relating to a shape of a tooth and at least a part of a neighbouring tooth; processing said three-dimensional data with a computer so as to determine an overlay fitting said tooth and fitting at least said part of said neighbouring tooth; further processing said three-dimensional data with said computer so as to determine a predetermined part of tooth structure to be removed from said tooth so as to prepare said tooth for further treatment; determining at least two guiding edges of which a first and a second guiding edge are spaced apart from each other by a distance d of at least 0.

Abstract: A method that generally relates to comparing a current dental setup with a series of preset dental setups. More particularly a method where this comparison is used to determine which aligner should be used from a series of dental aligners for proceeding with an orthodontic treatment. Each aligner in the series of previously manufactured aligners is provided for moving the at least one tooth in the patient's teeth from one dental setup to a subsequent dental setup.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing an appliance for correcting malocclusions of a patient's teeth. The method may include measuring the positions of a patient's teeth and receiving tooth movement constraints. The method may also include generating an initial treatment plan based on the measured tooth positions and the tooth movement constraints and measuring the malocclusions of the patient's teeth for one or more types of dental malocclusions. The method may also include generating a plurality of treatment plans from the initial treatment plan based on the measured malocclusion and generating a model of an appliance for each stage of the treatment plan. The method may also include generating instructions for fabricating the appliance for each stage of the treatment plan based on the model of the appliance for each stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: An orthodontic correction device includes a correction unit that is adapted to be removably worn on a dental arch. The correction unit includes at least one first receiving part for receiving at least one first tooth which needs correction. The shape of the first receiving part allows the first tooth to move toward the alveolar bone. At least one elongated opening is formed on the occlusal surface of the correction unit and extends to the lingual surface and the buccal surface of the correction unit. The opening exposes parts of the occlusal surface, the lingual surface and the buccal surface of the first tooth. A force exerting assembly is configured to contact the first tooth through the opening, thereby exerting a force on the first tooth to press the first tooth into the alveolar bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjustably retaining a dental prosthesis are disclosed. In one variation, a securement assembly includes an abutment assembly comprising an upper abutment portion configured to extend beyond the gingiva of a patient. The upper abutment portion can have an abutment ledge and the abutment ledge can be defined by a receiving groove. The securement assembly can also include a coping attached to the abutment assembly. The coping can have a coping base. A seal can be positioned in the receiving groove and in between at least the abutment ledge and the coping base. The seal can elastically deform to allow the coping to translate relative to the abutment assembly.

Abstract: A dental implant with a cushion device that can simulate the functions of natural human periodontal ligament (PDL) is provided.

Abstract: An improved denture system is disclosed. An improved denture system has a support bar and a denture material blank. The denture material blank has an oversize cutout to secure the support bar. The support bar has oversized implant interfaces and optional oversized tooth abutments. After securing the support bar in the denture material blank the final shape and dimensions of the implant interfaces and optionally the final shape and dimensions of the tooth abutments will be machined.

Abstract: Methods using additive manufacturing processes for making custom abutments for dental implants and copings for screw retained crowns for dental implants are disclosed herein. The methods for making custom abutments include making a main body portion using an additive manufacturing system and adhesively attaching the main body portion to an insert member that extends into a central bore of the main body portion. The methods for making copings for screw retained crowns include making a coping using an additive manufacturing system, fusing a crown over the coping, and adhesively attaching the coping with crown to an insert member that extends into a central bore of the coping. Custom abutments and screw retained crowns made according to these methods are adapted to be attached onto dental implants previously installed in a patient's mouth.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printed dental device formed from rapid prototyping with printable polymerizable materials, the dental device comprising a polymeric composition, wherein the polymeric composition, after curing, has at least one property of flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, and work of fracture that is at least 20% greater in measured value at 37° C. in comparison to measured value at 23° C.

Abstract: An apex locator system constructed to enable visualization of an apex location at a vicinity of the mouth of a patient and more specifically on a lip clip, hand file and/or file clip of the apex locator system.

Abstract: A padded table for animal massage or body work having a flat square working surface with diagonally situated bumper pads supported on 4 sets of attached folding legs. Table construction includes two adjacent parallel sections joined in the middle with a piano-type hinge so that it may be closed and moved or carried easily as like a suitcase or unfolded to form a flat working surface. The double leg support structure on both sides of the adjacent parallel sections distributes the weight of animals who may move continually across the sections providing unique stability.

Abstract: A kit for delivering microwave ablative energy to tissue and methods for using the kit are included. The kit includes an access catheter, an implant deployment tool, and a microwave delivery device. The implant deployment tool is configured to be inserted into the access cathether and has an implant disposed therein in a contracted state and being slidable out of a distal opening and expandable into an expanded state. The microwave delivery device is configured to deliver the microwave ablative energy to the tissue and to be advanced through the access catheter and slidably disposable within the implant when the implant is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A lumen woven support (100), comprising a netted tube body (10) woven by weaving filaments (1), wherein the netted tube body (10) comprises a first portion (110) and a second portion (120) along an axial direction; the netted tube body (10) further comprises a plurality of first hooked and wound knots (140), at least two weaving filaments (1) from one end of the second portion (120) are hooked and wound to each other in the axial direction of the netted tube body (10) to form a first hooked and wound knot (140) and are then separated, and all the weaving filaments (1) constituting the first hooked and wound knots (140) are woven to form the first portion (110); and the mesh density of the first portion (110) is smaller than that of the second portion (120).

Abstract: Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a socket in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the socket, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Alternate embodiments of the anchor placement system and method of the present invention may forego tensioned sutures in favor of direct engagement with the soft tissue graft, whereby an end or a portion of the graft is trapped between an outer surface of the anchor and the boney surface of the wall of the socket such that friction force between the inserted portions of graft and socket maintains the position of graft relative to socket and bone. In either case, particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation.

Abstract: An artificial iris having a pouch includes a top iris, a bottom iris, and more than two fixing rings. The center of the top iris is formed with an inner hole. The outer edges of the top iris and the bottom iris are fixed together to form the pouch. Atop junction of the top iris and the bottom iris is formed with an opening for implanting an intraocular lens. The more than two fixing rings are fixedly mounted on a back surface of the bottom iris. A suture passes through the fixing rings of the artificial iris and is fixed to the scleral wall.

Abstract: An artificial intraocular lens device with light-induced zoom-in and zoom-out properties includes a lens, an inert lens frame surrounding the lens; and two inert supporting arms formed at the side edge of the lens frame. The lens is made from azobenzene gel, the deformation of the azobenzene gel by expansion or contraction respectively reverses on exposure to visible light and to ultraviolet light. The azobenzene gel is formed by heating an azobenzene gel precursor for polymerization, the azobenzene gel precursor being composed of monomer, initiator, crosslinker, and azobenzene.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an optic having an optic axis and a closed-loop haptic structure coupled with the optic. The closed loop haptic structure includes a first hinge having a first section, a second section, and a connecting section extending between the first section and the second section. The first section has a first component extending in a first angular direction and a second component extending in a second angular direction that is opposite to the first angular direction. The closed loop haptic structure further includes a second hinge including a radial section and an axial section extending from the axial section in the first angular direction, the radial section having a cross-sectional area greater than a maximum cross-sectional area of the first hinge.

Abstract: An intraocular lenses having a plurality of drug-containing microspheres attached to the intraocular lens. The intraocular lenses can be used for patients undergoing cataract surgery and reduces the need for recurrent surgery, follow-up treatment or postoperative eye-drops. Also provides a method for manufacturing such an intraocular lens and the use of an intraocular lens in the treatment of cataract.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens, for example, an accommodating intraocular lens including a lens optic, the lens optic including a ring-shaped lens optic portion and/or a light window.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve can include a radially expandable and collapsible annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end. A leaflet structure can be positioned within the frame. An annular inner skirt can be positioned around an inner surface of the frame, wherein the inner skirt includes an outflow edge portion secured to the frame and an inflow edge portion that wraps around the inflow end of the frame and extends at least partially along an outer surface of the frame, with the inflow edge portion being secured to the frame. An outer skirt can be positioned around the outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer skirt comprises an outflow edge portion secured to the frame and an inwardly folded inflow edge portion that is secured to the inflow edge portion of the inner skirt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a delivery assembly can comprise an annular frame, a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and an outer skirt positioned around an outer surface of the frame. The annular frame can comprise an inflow end and an outflow end and can be radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The outer skirt can comprise pericardial tissue having a fibrous parietal layer defining a first surface of the outer skirt and a serous parietal layer defining a second surface of the outer skirt. The outer skirt can be positioned such that the first surface is facing away from the frame and the second surface is facing towards the frame.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve commissure assembly may include a locking mechanism including a first locking portion spaced apart from a second locking portion in a delivery configuration and configured to engage with the second locking portion in a deployed configuration, wherein the first locking portion is longitudinally actuatable relative to the second locking portion between the delivery and deployed configurations. The commissure assembly may include a first valve leaflet and a second valve leaflet each secured to the first locking portion. A first sleeve portion of the first valve leaflet may be fixedly attached to a first fabric sleeve wrapped around a first leg of the first locking portion by a first filament, and a second sleeve portion of the second valve leaflet may be fixedly attached to a second fabric sleeve wrapped around a second leg of the first locking portion by a second filament.

Abstract: Embodiments of an implantable prosthetic valve are disclosed. The valve can have an annular frame having a plurality of frame members and a skirt assembly. The skirt assembly can include a laminate having a fabric layer sandwiched between a first covering member and a second covering member. At least one surface of the fabric layer can be exposed at one or more windows in the second covering member. The skirt assembly can be coupled to the annular frame by a suture extending through the fabric layer at the one or more windows and around at least one of the plurality of frame members. Methods for making such an implantable prosthetic valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve can include a radially expandable and collapsible annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end. The frame can have a plurality of struts forming a plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells defines an opening in the frame. A leaflet structure can be positioned within the frame and secured thereto. A plurality of sealing members can be positioned within the openings of a plurality of the cells of the frame and secured thereto. Each of the plurality of sealing members can be positioned within a respective one of the openings.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the frame defining an axial direction extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and an outer sealing member positioned around an outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing segments, wherein each sealing segment is coupled to the frame and/or another sealing segment by a tether that pulls a portion of the sealing segment in a circumferential direction when the frame is radially expanded to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An assembly for collapsing a prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member having a plurality of arms pivotable between a first orientation in which side edges of adjacent arms are spaced apart from one another and a second orientation in which the adjacent arms contact one another. A translating member is movable along the arms to pivot the arms from the first orientation to the second orientation to collapse the prosthetic heart valve. A separation tool includes ribs defining channels sized to receive the struts of a stent of a prosthetic heart valve to keep the struts separated from one another as the prosthetic heart valve is collapsed.

Abstract: A system for replacing a heart valve of a patient. The system includes a delivery device and a prosthetic heart valve. The system is configured to be transitionable between a loaded state, a partially deployed state and a deployed state. In the loaded state, the prosthetic heart valve engages a coupling structure and is compressively retained within a primary capsule, which constrains the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed arrangement. In the partially deployed state, the prosthetic heart valve engages the coupling structure and is compressively retained within a secondary capsule, which constrains the prosthetic heart valve to a partially deployed arrangement. The partially deployed arrangement is less compressed than the compressed arrangement and less expanded than a deployed arrangement. In the deployed state, the primary and secondary capsules are retracted from over the prosthetic heart valve, which expands to the deployed arrangement and is released from the coupling structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for heart valve repair utilize a heart valve repair device including a generally annular ring-like structure and a net structure. The ring-like structure is seated in the valve annulus with the net structure extending from the ring-like structure through the coaptation zone between leaflets. The net structure can then be anchored to a heart structure with a suture. Net structure extending between leaflets helps prevent prolapse of leaflets and can aid in coaptation.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems and methods for repairing a valve inside a body, such as a heart valve, may include a delivery catheter having a distal end comprised of two or more rotatably coupled knuckles. An anchor delivery mechanism is disposed distally of the two or more knuckles, and includes a first pincer arm having a distal end and a proximal end rotatably coupled to a distal end of the anchor delivery mechanism at a first connection point, and a second pincer arm having a distal end and a proximal end rotatably coupled to the distal end of the anchor delivery mechanism at a second connection point opposite the first connection point. In a closed position, the distal ends of the first and second pincer arms are positioned together. In an open position, the distal ends of the first and second pincer arms are rotated apart from each other.

Abstract: A minimally invasive catheter and methods are provided for adjusting the chordae associated with an atrio-ventricular valve and for modifying the geometry of selected cardiac chambers. Clamps carried by the catheter are part of a prosthetic clamp assembly that includes the clamps and a cord attached to each of the clamps. The cord length can be adjusted after the clamps are attached to tissue. The clamps can be operated simultaneously or independently.

Abstract: A heart valve annulus repair device having a tissue engaging member and a plurality of anchors. The tissue engaging member includes a loop of wire. Each of the anchors has a pointy front end and a back end and a slot that runs in a front-to-back direction. The anchors are distributed about the loop of wire with the front ends of the plurality of anchors facing the heart valve annulus and with the loop of wire passing through the slots. The device further includes means for implanting the anchors into the heart valve annulus tissue so that the tissue engaging member becomes affixed to the heart valve annulus.

Abstract: A valve planning tool comprising: (a) a stem having a distal end and a proximal end, (b) an anchor indicator located at the distal end, and (c) a balloon located proximal of the anchor indicator, the balloon including: (i) a retracted state and (ii) a deployed state; wherein the balloon is inflatable from the retracted state to the deployed state and the balloon is substantially non-compliant so that the balloon is only inflatable to one size.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion implant includes a tapered body and a faceplate secured to the tapered body. The faceplate has a recess formed on a front face of the faceplate that is at least partially bounded by an interior surface. A first screw hole and a spaced apart first locking slot pass through the faceplate, the first locking slot having an elongated width. A first locking screw has a head and a threaded shaft, the threaded shaft passing through the first locking slot and being sized so that the threaded shaft can slide laterally along a length of the elongated width of the first locking slot. A first nut is disposed between the tapered body and the faceplate, the shaft of the first locking screw being threadedly engaged with the first nut.

Abstract: Methods of reducing loading across a cartilaginous joint, or of reducing pain in a cartilaginous joint caused by cartilage damage in the joint. The methods involve implanting one or more magnetic devices in the bones, or affixing one or more magnetic devices onto the surface of the bones, that form the joint. For example, to reduce loading or reduce pain in a knee joint, one or more magnetic devices maybe implanted in the femur and in the tibia. The magnetic devices are oriented to generate a repulsive magnetic force between the one or more magnetic devices of each of the bones forming the joint.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a revision implant includes a body extending between a first planar surface and a second planar surface and a head extending from the first planar surface of the body. The head is configured to couple the revision implant to at least one additional component of a multi-component prosthesis. At least one coupling mechanism is configured to couple the body to a first bone.

Abstract: Interbody cages for spinal stabilization having a frame that surrounds a central compartment suitable for retaining biological material, such as bone graft material. The central, compartment acts as a spill-free bone and biologic compartment that allows a surgeon to introduce the interbody cage into the body in an effective manner without spilling the biological material. Methods for introducing the interbody cages are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of performing percutaneous interbody spinal fusion on adjacent vertebrae in a patient including the steps of: creating a percutaneous access opening on the patient, using indirect visualization to establish a surgical path through the access opening, creating a cavity in a disc space between the adjacent vertebra, without retraction, inserting an expandable implant into the cavity, the implant configured to fit through the access opening into the cavity, and expanding the implant within the cavity.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral fusion implant, including an inferior component, including a first plurality of axial members and a first plurality of cross-members, a superior component, including a second plurality of axial members and a second plurality of cross-members, and at least one locking arm operatively arranged to lock the superior component at a distance from the inferior component.

Abstract: An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having a central beam having a proximal portion having an end, a grafting portion having a top and a bottom, a distal portion having a end, a central beam axis, a graft distribution channel having an entry port at the end of the proximal portion, a top exit port at the top of the grafting portion, and a bottom exit port at the bottom of the grafting portion. These systems can also include a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.

Abstract: A femoral extension prosthetic component for use in a unicondylar meniscal bearing unicompartmental knee replacement is described. The femoral component comprises a securing element and a bearing surface, the securing element adapted to abut and be connected to a distal end of a femur bone, and the Dearing surface adapted to abut a meniscal bearing. The femoral component includes an entrapment portion adapted to extend beyond the meniscal bearing. Tibial components and meniscal bearings are also described, as well as methods of using such components.

Abstract: Illustrative methods and systems for customizing a pre-manufactured acetabular shell to a specific patient are described herein. An illustrative method can include positioning a provisional shell at an acetabulum of the patient, the provisional shell having a plurality of selectable openings. The method further including marking, based on the assessing of the bone, a patient-matched hole location on a provisional liner that corresponds to one of the plurality of selectable openings in the provisional shell. With the provisional liner marked, the method can further include removing the provisional liner from the provisional shell and positioning the provisional liner in the pre-manufactured acetabular shell that is to be implanted in the patient. Using the provisional liner as a guide, the method can include forming a hole in the acetabular shell corresponding to the marked patient-matched hole location on the provisional liner.