Abstract: In an approach to generating preflex stimulation, one or more computer processors monitor one or more sensing devices for data associated with a user activity. Based, at least in part, on the data associated with the user activity, the one or more computer processors predict a user reaction associated with the user activity. The one or more computer processors transmit a preflex stimulus to at least one muscle of the user, wherein the at least one muscle is associated with the user reaction. The one or more computer processors determine a reaction time of the at least one muscle to the preflex stimulus.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, information identifying a user's activity; determining, by the computing device, the user's tasks based on the information identifying the user's activity; determining, by the computing device, the user's context switches based on the user's tasks; receiving, by the computing device, biometrics data associated with the user via an application programming interface (API); determining, by the computing device, the user's stress levels at various times based on the biometrics data; storing, by the computing device, information linking the user's stress level with the user's context switches; and outputting, by the computing device, the information linking the user's stress level with the user's context switches.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer-implemented method for stress monitoring. Methods include receiving, by a processor, a plurality of user stress labels corresponding to a plurality of events. Methods also include determining an individualized stress profile based at least in part upon the user stress labels. Methods also include receiving heart rate sensor data from a wearable device. Methods also include extracting a cardiovascular feature from the heart rate sensor data. Methods also include determining a stress index based at least in part upon the individualized stress profile and the cardiovascular feature. Methods also include outputting the stress index.

Abstract: A unitary multilumen cranial bolt for use in multimodal monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters in brain tissue incorporates a plurality of lumens, each lumen directing a catheter borne sensor through a bore hole in the cranium and into brain tissue of a patient. The lumens are configured to cause the catheters to splay outward as they enter the cranial cavity and reach their intended depth of penetration. Each lumen is associated with a guide. The guides are adapted for use with introducers that enable fragile and/or flexible sensors to be introduced into brain tissue. Each catheter borne sensor can be positioned and repositioned within brain tissue independently of all other sensors.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for intra-operatively providing anatomical guidance in endocrine surgery. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of illuminating tissues in the neck area of a living subject with a beam of light having a predetermined wavelength, obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated tissues, finding Raman signatures corresponding to thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the obtained Raman data, and identifying the thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the corresponding Raman signatures.

Abstract: Methods of coaching a user of a breathalyzer to make use of correct blowing technique when blowing into the breathalyzer are provided. Methods of setting up a breathalyzer such that it adjusts a breathalyzer's parameters to account for jurisdictional variations in blood and/or breath alcohol limits and other standards are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fractional fat content of tissue comprises registering thermoacoustic image coordinates to an acquired ultrasound image, the acquired ultrasound image at least comprising target tissue within a region of interest; defining a thermoacoustic voxel grid coincident with the region of interest; obtaining thermoacoustic image measurement values from tissue within the region of interest corresponding to the voxels within the defined thermoecoustic voxel grid to yield a thermoacoustic measurement matrix; normalizing the thermoacoustic image measurement values within the thermoacoustic measurement matrix; calculating a fractional fat content map for the target tissue within the region of interest based on the normalized thermoacoustic image measurement values within the thermoacoustic measurement matrix and a reference thermoacoustic measurement value; and correcting the fractional fat content map based on tissue speed-of-sound data to yield a final fractional fat content map for th

Abstract: A hydration sensor or sensing element is configured to measure the hydration level of a user. The sensing element can include a water-permeable material positioned in between two water-impermeable materials. The sensing element can be coupled to a bottle of fluid, or a carrier with a timer. The sensing element can be incorporated into a handheld device. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. One or more additional sensors that do not measure hydration level of the user can be coupled to a hydration sensing element to determine the amount of fluid consumption for the user in different conditions.

Abstract: A method includes forming one or more vias in a first layer, forming one or more vias in at least a second layer different than the first layer, aligning at least a first via in the first layer with at least a second via in the second layer, and bonding the first layer to the second layer by filling the first via and the second via with solder material using injection molded soldering.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a composite band, a touch-sensor display, a skin sensor, and a course of electrical conductors. The composite band forms a loop having two or more rigid segments and a flexible segment coupled between the rigid segments. The touch-sensor display is arranged in a first of the rigid segments, and a skin sensor is arranged in a second of the rigid segments. The course of electrical conductors runs between the first and second rigid segments, inside the flexible segment.

Abstract: A disposable patient interface includes a reusable sensor that removably mounts within a shoe of the disposable patient interface when at least one protrusion on opposite ends of the sensor removably lock with corresponding at least one aperture on opposite portions of the shoe. The patient interface includes a compliant structure which conforms to a patient's body upon placement thereon without causing wrinkles in the compliant structure so as to maximize adhesion of the compliant structure against skin on the patient's body when the compliant structure is conformed to muscle underlying skin on the patient's body.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring cardiac activity of an individual using a conformal cardiac sensor device are presented herein. A conformal cardiac sensor device for analyzing cardiac activity includes a flexible substrate for coupling to the user, and a heart sensor component embedded on/in the substrate. The heart sensor component contacts a portion of the user's skin and measures electrical variable(s) indicative of cardiac activity. A biometric sensor component is embedded on/in the flexible substrate and measures physiological variable(s) indicative of cardiac activity of the user. A microprocessor, which is embedded on/in the flexible substrate, is communicatively coupled to the heart sensor component and biometric sensor component and operable to execute microprocessor executable instructions for controlling the measurements of electrical data and physiological data.

Abstract: Embodiments include an implant for insertion into a human and/or animal body and an insertion device for the implant. The implant includes a housing, at least one negative pressure unit and at least one adhesive application unit to temporarily and/or permanently fix the implant to a bodily tissue.

Abstract: An implant sized and shaped to be endovascularly delivered to the middle meningeal artery includes a carrier that carries a payload between first and second ends thereof. An anchor mechanism associated with the implant transitions into a swollen state in response to exposure to bodily fluids. In the swollen state, said anchor mechanism anchors the implant to the middle meningeal artery. Before or during the transition, the anchor mechanism permits endovascular delivery of the implant to the middle meningeal artery.

Abstract: A system for ablating tissue includes an ablation catheter for insertion into the body of a patient and a robotic controller for moving the catheter within the body. The robotic controller advances the catheter until the catheter contacts the tissue surface, maintains contact between the catheter and the tissue surface, and moves the catheter along a predetermined path to create a substantially continuous lesion of ablated tissue. A display device may be used to present a graphical representation of an area of tissue to be ablated. A user interface permits selection of a plurality of treatment points on the graphical representation. The interface is preferably coupled to the controller and catheter such that the controller may cause the catheter to automatically ablate tissue at and between the plurality of treatment points in response to the received user input.

Abstract: A stand-on physiological sensor (e.g. floormat) measures vital signs and various hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and ECG waveforms. The sensor is similar in configuration to a common bathroom scale and includes electrodes that take electrical measurements from a patient's feet to generate bioimpedance waveforms, which are analyzed digitally to extract various other parameters, as well as a cuff-type blood pressure system that takes physical blood pressure measurements at one of the patient's feet. Blood pressure can also be calculated/derived from the bioimpedance waveforms. Measured parameters are transmitted wirelessly to facilitate remote monitoring of the patient for heart failure, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and other degenerative diseases.

Abstract: A positioning device for a medical field generator includes a base member, an adaptor connected with the base member and configured to support a field generator, and a fixing member allowing the positioning device to be fixed to an associated operating table. The base member includes at least one contacting section and is configured to contact an upper surface of an operating table. The adaptor is configured to prevent the field generator from being positioned at less than a predetermined distance from the operating table. A method positions a medical field generator. The field generator is attached with the positioning device. A base member of the positioning device, with the field generator attached to it, is positioned on the upper surface of the operating table and beneath a part of a head of a patient lying on the operating table. The positioning device is fixedly attached with the operating table.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and system for providing data to a user of a wearable sensor platform. The method may be performed by a least one software component executing on at least one processor. The method includes capturing data for the user using at least one sensor in the wearable sensor platform. The data includes physiological data and artifact data. The physiological data includes noise data therein. A confidence indicator for the data is determined based on at least one of the physiological data and the artifact data. A physiological data signal corresponding to the physiological data and the confidence indicator is provided to the user on the wearable device platform.

Abstract: A computing device for use in a system for mapping brain activity of a subject includes a processor. The processor is programmed to select a plurality of measurements of brain activity that is representative of at least one parameter of a brain of the subject during a resting state. Moreover, the processor is programmed to compare at least one data point from each of the measurements with a corresponding data point from a previously acquired data set from at least one other subject. The processor is also programmed to produce at least one map for each of the measurements based on the comparison of the resting state data point and the corresponding previously acquired data point. The processor may also be programmed to categorize the brain activity in a plurality of networks in the brain based on the map.

Abstract: A method of processing a biosignal includes estimating a time period from a time-domain biosignal, converting a biosignal corresponding to a time interval based on the time period to a frequency-domain signal, performing signal processing to remove a distortion component from the frequency-domain signal, and converting a processed frequency-domain signal obtained through the signal processing to a time-domain signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for evaluating vulnerability, disease progression, and treatments in neuropathologies. In one aspect, a method to provide an assessment related to a neurological or neuropsychiatric disorder includes selecting a profile category indicative of one or more aspects of cognitive or sensory functions associated with a neurological or neuropsychiatric disorder, presenting a sequence of stimuli to a subject, in which the sequence of stimuli is based on the selected profile category, acquiring physiological signals of the subject before, during, and after the presenting of the sequence of stimuli to produce physiological data, and processing the physiological data to generate an information set including one or more quantitative values associated with the selected profile category.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting that a patient will require a blood transfusion during a treatment. The method includes obtaining, on a processor, first data that indicates values for one or more parameters of a characteristic of a continuous photoplethysmographic (PPG) waveform collected during the treatment. The method further includes applying, on the processor, coefficients to the values for the one or more parameters. The method further includes determining, on the processor, second data that indicates a prediction that the patient will require the blood transfusion during the treatment based on applying the coefficients to the values for the one or more parameters. An apparatus is also provided for predicting that the patient will require the blood transfusion during the treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for contextualizing manual entries of blood glucose measures for a patient into a patient log of a portable computing device. The method includes: administering a structured collection procedure, where the structured collection procedure specifies two or more collection actions for obtaining blood glucose measures from a patient; generating a reminder notification for a given collection action of the structured collection procedure, where the given collection action is associated with a given event of patient; and displaying a data entry interface upon receipt of an acceptance input from a user in response to the reminder notification, where the data entry interface includes a first input for a blood glucose measure and a second input for an event associated with the blood glucose measure, such that value for the second input is defaulted to the given event from the reminder notification.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alarm controlling method, an alarm controlling apparatus and an adaptive alarming method for a patient monitor. The alarm controlling method comprises: acquiring false alarm probabilities of a plurality of current alarms; acquiring a corresponding alarm confidence according to a false alarm probability of each current alarm; and determining a priority of the current alarm based on at least the alarm confidence of the current alarm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a device, a system and/or a manufacture of voice controlled assistance for monitoring adverse events of a user and/or coordinating emergency actions such as caregiver communication. In one embodiment, a system includes an assistance device coupled to a voice controlled assistance server over a network. The assistance device includes a memory including computer-executable instructions that when executed, upon an event such as sensing the presence of the user, generates a verbal status query to the user usable to determine an event of concern and/or an adverse event related to the user, such as a negative response or non-response event that may require initiation of an emergency action.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes a first X-ray source, a first detector, a second X-ray source, a second detector, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the first X-ray source, the second X-ray source, the first detector, and the second detector to perform scanning. The processing circuitry acquires first data of a plurality of first detection regions and second data of a plurality of second detection regions, each of the plurality of first detection regions and the plurality of second detection regions including one detection element or a plurality of detection elements in a row direction, and the plurality of first detection regions being offset by an amount corresponding to n (0<n<1) of a length of each of the plurality of first detection regions in the row direction from the respective plurality of second detection regions. The processing circuitry generates image data based on the acquired first data and the acquired second data.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic-imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes plural converters and processing circuitry. The converters output an electrical signal based on an incident radioactive ray. The processing circuitry identifies a first signal intensity that is a signal intensity corresponding to a peak of the number of the radioactive rays based on a relationship between a signal intensity of an electrical signal output from the convertor and the number of incident radioactive rays, for each of the converters. The processing circuitry identifies a second signal intensity that is a signal intensity corresponding to energy of a radioactive ray that has entered therein without scattering, based on a relationship between the signal intensity and the number of radioactive rays in a higher intensity than the first signal intensity.

Abstract: A medical image scanning system includes a top plate on which an object is placed, a drive screw shaft, and a fall prevention unit. The fall prevention unit includes a load support nut that is threadedly engaged with the drive screw shaft and to which the load of the top plate is applied; a fall prevention nut that is arranged below the load support nut and is threadedly engaged with the drive screw shaft; a rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the rotation of the load support nut; and a detent mechanism that performs the turning stop of the fall prevention nut and releases the turning stop of the fall prevention nut when the threaded engagement between the drive screw shaft and the load support nut is disconnected.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described for shaping a profile of radiation attenuation in a fan-angle direction via a pre-object filter (e.g., a bowtie filter) based upon a profile of an object. For example, a pre-object filter may be at least partially rotated about a filter axis and/or may be translated in a direction parallel to a direction of conveyance of the object under examination to adjust a profile of radiation attenuation in the fan-angle direction. Further, in one embodiment, the profile of radiation attenuation may be reshaped during rotation of the radiation source about the object to adjust an amount of radiation attenuation in the fan-angle direction (e.g., to adjust a profile of radiation attenuation as a shape of the object changes from a perspective of a radiation source as the radiation source is rotated about the object).

Abstract: Provided is a radiation irradiation device enabling a user to change the position of a monitor to a desired position as needed and smoothly perform imaging of a radiographic image. The radiation irradiation device includes a radiation generation unit that generates radiation; a second support part having one end to which the radiation generation unit is attached; a first support part having one end to which the second support part is connected and the other end connected to a body part; the body part; a leg part that is provided on a bottom surface of the body part and is capable of traveling on a device placement surface; and a monitor provided on a surface that faces the bottom surface of the body part, via a connecting member. The monitor is detachably installed at a plurality of positions on the surface that faces the bottom surface of the body part.

Abstract: Digital subtraction angiography is used to improve the contrast of images of patient vasculature. A non-contrast image is recorded with no contrast medium injected into the patient, and then a succession of contrast images is captured after the injection of a contrast medium. The non-contrast image is successively registered to the contrast images, and then subtracted. This removes background structures, but leaves the vasculature untouched, making blood vessels easier to see. Artifacts can remain when different motion layers are present in the X-ray image (for example, the spine and the lungs). This application discusses a technique to prevent artifacts occurring when different motion layers are present in an X-ray frame or sequence.

Abstract: A method for generating a 3D map of a cardiac parameter in a region of a living heart, the method using single-plane fluoroscopic images and comprising: (a) placing a plurality of catheters each having one or more radio-opaque sensors into the region such that the locations of the sensors geometrically span the region; (b) capturing a first-view digitized 2D image of the region from a first fluoroscope positioned at a first angle; (c) identifying each of the plurality of sensors in the first-view image; (d) capturing a second-view digitized 2D image of the region from a second fluoroscope positioned at a second angle which is different from the first angle; (e) identifying each of the plurality of sensors in the second-view image; (f) associating each of the plurality of identified sensors in the second-view image with its corresponding identified sensor in the first-view image; (g) sensing and storing values of the cardiac parameter with each of the plurality of sensors; (h) determining the 3D location of ea

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining a fractional flow reserve (FFR) value of the coronary artery system of a living being (3). A fractional flow reserve value determination unit (13) determines the FFR value by using an FFR value determination algorithm that is adapted to determine the FFR value based on a boundary condition and a provided representation of the coronary artery system, wherein the boundary condition is specific for the living being and determined by a boundary condition determination unit (12). Since the boundary condition determination unit determines a boundary condition, which is specific for the living being, and since the fractional flow reserve value determination unit not only uses the provided representation of the coronary artery system, but also the living being specific boundary condition for determining the FFR value, the accuracy of the FFR value, which is non-invasively determined, can be improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated boundary delineation of a tubular structure in a 3D medical image of a patient using an infinitely recurrent neural network (IRNN) is disclosed. An unraveled cross-section image corresponding to a portion of a tubular structure is extracted from 3D medical image. The unraveled cross-section image is divided into a plurality of image chunks. A boundary of the portion of the tubular structure is detected based on the plurality of image chunks using a trained IRNN. The trained IRNN repeatedly inputs a sequential data stream, including the plurality of image chunks of the unraveled cross-section image, for a plurality of iterations while preserving a memory state between iterations, and detects, for each image chunk of the unraveled cross-section image input to the trained IRNN in the sequential data stream, a corresponding section of the boundary of the portion of the tubular structure.

Abstract: It is detected whether a grid stripe is present in a radiographic image. In a case in which the grid stripe is detected, a process of removing the grid stripe from the radiographic image is performed and the radiographic image is displayed. In a case in which the grid stripe is not detected, a process of removing a scattered component from the radiographic image is performed and a radiographic image subjected to the scattered radiation removal process and a radiographic image before the process are displayed.

Abstract: A method, a device, a system and a computer program are for controlling limited-area computer tomography imaging. The method includes determining location data of a first imaging object when the first imaging object is positioned in an imaging area, determining reference location data related to the first imaging object and adjusting the imaging area based on the location data of the first imaging object and said reference location data for imaging a second imaging object. The first and the second imaging object can be located at a distance determined by the reference location data from each other or symmetrically in relation to the reference location data.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes an X-ray radiator configured to radiate X-rays to an object and a controller configured to acquire orientation information indicating an orientation of the X-ray radiator and motion information indicating a movement of an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays radiated by the X-ray radiator and select the X-ray detector based on the orientation information and the motion information.

Abstract: A whole breast ultrasound image-capturing device comprises: a platform comprising an opening formed thereon; a mechanical driving system mounted in the opening and comprising a frame mounted on the mechanical driving system, a rotary module comprising a first gear, a second gear engaged with the first gear, and a drive motor connected to the first gear, and a radial movement drive comprising a translation mechanism radially movable; an array probe mounted in the radial movement drive; a holder connected to the translation mechanism to fix the array probe; a gel plate connected to a cam surface of the second gear through connecting frames, mounted on the holder, and comprising a plate opening enclosing the array probe to expose the array probe out of the gel plate; a film assembly mounted in the frame and comprising a film frame mounted in the frame and a film mounted in the film frame.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an eye imaging apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise a light source, an image sensor, a hand-held computing device, and an adaptation module. The adaptation module comprises a microcontroller and a signal processing unit configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus may comprise an exterior imaging module to image an anterior segment of the eye and/or a front imaging module to image a posterior segment of the eye. The eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imaging medical system. The images of the eye may be captured by the eye imaging apparatus, transferred to an image computing module, stored in an image storage module, and displayed in an image review module.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array that generates ultrasonic waves, a backing layer that is provided on a rear surface of the transducer array, a pulsating heat pipe that absorbs heat generated in the transducer array, and a heat radiation unit that receives the heat from the pulsating heat pipe to emit the received heat to the outside.

Abstract: A probe includes a transducer array including a transducer element, the transducer element including cells connected in parallel to each other, and a current detector configured to apply a voltage to the cells of the transducer element, or to output an electrical signal based on currents output from the cells.

Abstract: In order to obtain a high-resolution ultrasound diagnostic image while reducing the back side reflection of a ultrasound irradiated to the side opposite to the ultrasound transmission direction of an ultrasound transmission/reception device, disclosed is an ultrasound probe, wherein a substrate is provided thereon with a cavity, insulation layers having the cavity therebetween, and an upper layer electrode and a lower layer electrode having the cavity and the insulation layers therebetween, so as to form an ultrasound vibration element, the substrate is held by a backing with a low-modulus member therebetween, and a direct voltage and a alternating voltage are applied between the electrodes to vibrate the ultrasound vibration element, and wherein a mechanical impedance by the substrate and the low-modulus member has a substantially equal value as an acoustic impedance of the backing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic intracranial sonothrombolysis pressure amplitude is pre-quantified by using an ultrasound-scanner control unit (110) having an increasing and/or decreasing mode and designed for: with respect to a current mode, interrogating a blockage site iteratively so as to progressively and respectively increase or decrease a pressure amplitude of ultrasound being emitted to the site at which bubbles (144) for oscillating that is caused by the emitted ultrasound are present; iteration to iteration, deriving, from echoes of the emitted ultrasound, a magnitude of an energy of a signal; and automatically identifying, for the quantifying, an iteration that, in comparison with a just-previous iteration, fails to increase the magnitude. The interrogating may span a region that contains or goes through: the obstruction; another part of the blood vessel; and bubble circulation within a neighboring vessel and a neighboring capillary (136).

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging capable of achieving spatial resolutions that can resolve objects smaller than 300 ?m are described. Ultrasound is transmitted to and steered over a volume-of-interest that contains a microbubble contrast agent to individually excite microbubbles. Signal data is acquired in response to the transmitted ultrasound, and a plurality of images are reconstructed by beamforming the acquired signal data. The spatial resolution of the beamformed images can be further increased using techniques that determine the position of the microbubble within each image to a greater level of accuracy than the point spread function (“PSF”) of the ultrasound system. The images can also be combined to produce a single high resolution image of the volume-of-interest using, for instance, a maximum pixel projection technique.

Abstract: A method for generating an ultrasound image includes receiving an image frame comprising consecutive ultrasound scan lines obtained using a rotating ultrasound imaging arrangement and determining at least a first cross-correlation value and a second cross-correlation value for each of a plurality of the scan lines. For each individual scan line of the plurality of scan lines, the first cross-correlation value comprises a cross-correlation coefficient between a first subframe comprising a plurality of consecutive scan lines including the individual scan line and a second subframe comprising a plurality of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a first integer value. The second correlation value comprising a cross-correlation coefficient between the first subframe and a third subframe comprising a plurality scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a second integer value that is different from the first integer value.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises an introducer, a biopsy device having a needle, and a marker applier. The introducer may include a closed distal tip, a lateral aperture, a proximally facing interior wall, and a ramp that guides the closed distal end of a marker applier up and into abutment with the wall as the applier is fed into the introducer. The needle of the biopsy device includes a blunt distal end and features providing clearance for the ramp as the blunt distal end is brought into abutment with the wall when the needle is fed into the introducer. The introducer may alternatively include an open distal end having resiliently biased leaves that bear against an inserted biopsy device needle. In some other versions, a fin projects laterally from the closed distal end of a marker applier, spacing the distal end away from a sidewall region of the introducer cannula.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a tube assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a plunger assembly. The cartridge assembly is releasably engagable with the tube assembly and includes an end effector assembly disposed therein. The end effector assembly includes a specimen retrieval bag releasably coupled thereto at a distal end thereof and a first engagement member disposed at a proximal end thereof. The plunger assembly is configured for insertion through the tube assembly and into the cartridge assembly. The plunger assembly includes a second engagement member configured for releasably engaging the first engagement member. When the first and second engagement members are engaged with one another, the plunger assembly is movable between a more proximal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are retracted within the cartridge assembly, and a more distal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are deployed from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided including a reusable handle assembly having a controller and a reusable cannula assembly configured to be operatively connected to and steerable by the reusable handle assembly. The surgical system also includes a rail mechanism configured to cooperate with a port inserted through an incision, the rail mechanism mechanically attached to a stable platform. A plurality of surgical instruments are configured to be inserted through the reusable handle assembly and configured to advance a length of the reusable cannula assembly, such that the plurality of surgical instruments are engaged with at least one trigger mechanism of the reusable handle assembly. The handle assembly, the cannula assembly, and the plurality of surgical instruments are modular components configured to be releasably coupled to each other. The reusable cannula assembly slidably engages the rail mechanism to extend through the port and into the incision.

Abstract: An airway assist device (AAD) is provided. The device includes an upper AAD component and a lower AAD component. The upper AAD component includes and upper tooth guide connected to an upper plate having a pair of depending legs. The upper AAD component further includes an upper force receiving plate. The AAD also includes a lower AAD component. The lower AAD component includes a lower tooth guide connected to a lower plate. The lower AAD component further includes a lower force receiving plate. The upper and lower AAD components are connected in a way that allows relative longitudinal movement between the two components between a neutral position and a plurality of extended positions. A ratchet mechanism inhibits movement of the lower plate from any extended position toward the neutral position. The ratchet mechanism may be manually disengaged to allow the lower AAD component to return to the neutral position. An oxygen delivery housing may be connected to the upper plate to distribute oxygen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices, loops and inserts that are pre-loaded onto knotless anchors to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The splice incorporates an insert in the form of a flexible strand with at least one barb, or simply in the form of a cut length of suture or braid that is inserted into the center of the cinching loop to create a thicker portion. When the cinching loop is tightened, the insert prevents loosening of the loop, locking in the cinching loop and preventing movement of the loop.