Abstract: An augmented reality system includes an augmented reality display system; and processing circuitry in communication with the augmented reality display system. The processing circuity configured to receive, from a mapping system, data associated with a subject's anatomical feature; receive, from a navigation system, an indication of a position of a treatment device within the subject's anatomical feature; and display, via the augmented reality display system, a virtual organ object and at least one of the data associated with the subject's anatomical feature and the indication of the position of the treatment device within the subject's anatomical feature overlaying a real-world environment viewable by a user via the augmented reality display system.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a surgical procedure includes providing a three-dimensional model of a patient's organ of a patient based on pre-operative image data of the patient's organ; identifying positional data corresponding to a first position of at least one target treatment anatomy of the patient relative to a second position of an ancillary target anatomy of the patient based on an analysis of the three-dimensional model of the patient's organ of the patient; selecting a puncture location based on the identified positional data; and displaying, by an augmented reality device, a virtual organ object via an augmented reality display system overlaying a real-world environment, the virtual organ object corresponding to the three-dimensional model and visually indicating the selected puncture location.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a computerized tomography (CT) image comprising voxels of a body part of a subject, segmenting the image so as to identify a surface of a skin and a surface of a bone in the image, measuring respective minimum distances to the bone from a plurality of points on the surface of the skin, and rendering an image of the surface of the skin while visually coding the rendered image so as to indicate the respective minimum distances.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for patient-specific modeling of hemodynamic parameters in coronary arteries. Example methods may include performing computational fluid dynamics simulations using a patient-specific coronary artery anatomical model derived from medical imaging data and patient-specific boundary conditions derived from a continuously recorded blood pressure waveform to determine patient-specific hemodynamic parameters in a patient's coronary arteries.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a visual representation of material removal from an object by a cutting tool during a cut procedure is described. The method may comprise tracking consecutive cuts a cut trajectory of the cutting tool during the cut procedure, shape sweeping the consecutive poses of the cutting tool, and, for example, accumulating a union of the cut trajectory in a voxelized constructive solid geometry (CSG) grid to produce an object space representation of the union of the cut trajectory. The computer-implemented method may further comprise performing a CSG operation on object space representation of the union of the cut trajectory and a model of the object, and displaying a result of the CSG operation at a display screen.

Abstract: A method of generating a correction plan for correcting a deformed bone includes inputting to a computer system a first image of the deformed bone in a first plane and inputting to the computer system a second image of the deformed bone in a second plane. Image processing techniques are employed to identify a plurality of anatomical landmarks of the deformed bone in the first image. The first image of the deformed bone is displayed on a display device. A graphical of the deformed bone is autonomously generated and graphically overlaid on the first image of the deformed bone on the display device, the graphical template including a plurality of lines, each line connected at each end to a landmark point corresponding to one of the anatomical landmarks. A model of the deformed bone may be autonomously generated based on the graphical template.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processing assembly, a plurality of field generators, and a patient tracking assembly. The patient tracking assembly includes a sensor assembly and a communication assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first body, a first sensor, and an electrical conduit. The first body selectively attaches to a patient. The first sensor is mounted to the first body and generates a signal in response to movement within an electromagnetic field. The communication assembly includes a second body and a cable. The second body rotates relative to the first body from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The cable extends away from the second body. The cable communicates with the processing assembly. The electrical conduit couples the first sensor with the cable while the casing is in the first rotational position and the second rotational position.

Abstract: There is provided an optical tracking system for tracking a location and a posture of a marker. The system includes an image capturing device having a first image capturing part, which captures a part of the marker to generate a light field image, and a second image capturing part, which captures an outgoing light emitted from an aperture, and a processor, which determines the posture of the marker based on a first image, which captures a part of a pattern surface and is obtained by extracting an image from the light field image at an infinite focal length, and the location of the marker based on a second image obtained by extracting an image from the light field image at a shorter focal length than the infinite focal length and a third image obtained by capturing the outgoing light emitted from the aperture to the second image capturing part.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided which enhance ophthalmological surgical procedures. Systems may include camera(s) configured to capture and magnify eye image(s) (possibly stereoscopic), a tissue position and orientation (P&O) tracker configured in to track a P&O of a specified eye tissue, a tool P&O tracker configured to track a P&O of treatment tool(s) and derive a tool tip pointing vector therefrom, a processing unit configured to calculate an intersection between the tool tip pointing vector and the specified eye tissue and to relate spatially optical coherence tomography (OCT) image(s) of the eye tissue to the tool tip location and/or to the intersection, and a display module configured to display the magnified image(s) of the eye tissue with the OCT image(s) associated therewith according to the spatial relation. An OCT imager may be mounted on the tool tip to provide the OCT image(s) in real time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating instrument location are described. The methods and systems can obtain a first motion estimate based on robotic data and a second motion estimate based on position sensor data. The methods and systems can determine a motion estimate disparity based on a comparison of the first and second motion estimates. Based on the motion estimate disparity, the methods and systems can update a weighting factor for a location derivable from the robotic data or a weighting factor for a location derivable from the position sensor data. Based on the updated weighting factor, the methods and systems can determine a location/position estimate for the instrument. The methods and systems can provide increased accuracy for a position estimate in cases where the instrument experiences buckling or hysteresis.

Abstract: A navigation, tracking and guiding system for the positioning of operatory instruments inside the body of a patient. The system includes a control unit, a viewer and detecting means for determining the spatial position of the viewer. The system further includes a sensor associated to an operatory instrument and insertable inside the internal portion of the body of the patient. The control unit is configured to project on the viewer an image of the state of the internal portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for instrument tracking and navigation are described. In one embodiment, the system may be configured to receive position sensor data from at least one position sensor tracking an instrument positioned within a luminal network and determine a position sensor-based estimated state derived from the sensor data. The system may be configured to determine a combined estimated state for the instrument based on the position sensor data and at least one other type of position data. The system may be configured to determine a location transform based on the combined estimated state and the position sensor-based estimated state and output an estimated state of the instrument based on the position sensor-based estimated state adjusted by the location transform.

Abstract: An intracardiac ultrasound catheter or other intravascular imaging tool is provided with an adapter to allow the imaging tool to be used both subcutaneously and supracutaneously, and especially at different stages of a single intravascular procedure. The adapter covers a tip of the imaging tool and preferably includes an echogenic window to facilitate gathering of ultrasound images through this window in the adapter. With the adapter in place, the intracardiac ultrasound can be used supracutaneously, such as at a femoral artery/vein location for imaging to improve vascular access, such as with an appropriate percutaneous needle. The adapter is then removed and the same imaging tool can be inserted percutaneously and intravascularly for use, such as in intracardiac imaging accompanying and intracardiac procedure. The intracardiac ultrasound probe is preferably coupled to an electrophysiology mapping system both when used supracutaneously and when used intravascularly.

Abstract: A neuro-navigation accessory system includes components programmed to work with existing neural navigational software. The components include trackers or motion sensors, modified surgical instruments with motion sensors incorporated into the instruments, CT/MRI opaque fiducial(s), surgical head clamps(s), ready-to-use, surgery specific kits, magnetic-field calibration apparatus for magnetic navigation, and internal reference arrays.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described herein for performing a navigated surgical procedure involving a patient's anatomy in sterile and non-sterile surgical environments. A camera may be used to determine a registration of the camera coordinate-frame to the patient anatomy or optionally a tracker in relation to the patient anatomy. A drape may be applied to permit use in a sterile surgical environment. The camera may be moved from its original position to enable access to patient anatomy while maintaining a registration of the camera coordinate-frame with the patient anatomy. Alternatively, the camera may be used in a hand-held or head-mounted manner. A visualization of the patient anatomy may be displayed on a computing unit, with visualization reference planes defined by the pose of an instrument or the camera. The visualization may be presented on a display of a computing unit or as part of a head mounted augmented reality system.

Abstract: A method for a robotic surgical system includes displaying a graphical user interface on a display to a user, wherein the graphical user interface includes a plurality of reconfigurable display panels, receiving a user input at one or more user input devices, wherein the user input indicates a selection of at least one software application relating to the robotic surgical system, and rendering content from the at least one selected software application among the plurality of reconfigurable display panels.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a rotatable jaw of an attachment relative to a non-rotatable jaw is disclosed. The method comprises assembling the attachment to a surgical robot, rotating a first rotatable driver of the robot to align the first driver with a first rotatable drive of the attachment, and rotating a second rotatable driver of the robot to align the second driver with a second rotatable drive of the attachment. The method further comprises evaluating the amount of rotation required to align the first driver with the first drive and the amount of rotation required to align the second driver with the second drive, calculating a difference between the amount of rotation of the first driver and the amount of the rotation of the second driver, and determining the position of the rotatable jaw relative to the non-rotatable jaw based on the calculated difference.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for positioning an end effector or remote center of a manipulator arm by floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular joint velocity sub-space and providing a desired state or movement of a proximal portion of a manipulator arm concurrent with end effector positioning by driving a second set of joints within a null-space orthogonal to the null-perpendicular space. Methods include floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular space to allow manual positioning of one or both of a remote center or end effector position within a work space and driving a second set of joints according to an auxiliary movement calculated within a null-space according to a desired state or movement of the manipulator arm during the floating of the joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configured to be operably attached to and detached from a surgical robot interface is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly comprises a shaft assembly comprising an end effector and a closure drive member configured to move a second jaw relative to a first jaw of the end effector. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a control assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is operably coupled with the control assembly, and wherein the control assembly comprises a housing, a closure drive system configured to actuate the closure drive member, and an exterior closure drive actuator exterior to the housing and configured to be actuated by a clinician to manually rotate a rotary input drive of the closure drive system to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw when the surgical instrument assembly is not operably attached to the surgical robot interface.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system has a user interface with a control arm that includes a passive axis system for maintaining degrees-of-freedom of a gimbal rotatably supported on the control arm as the gimbal is manipulated during a surgical procedure. The control arm includes a swivel member, a first member, and a second member. The swivel member is rotatable about a first axis. The first member rotatably coupled to the swivel member about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. The second member rotatably coupled to the first member about a third axis that is parallel to the second axis. The gimbal rotatably supported by the second member about a fourth axis that is orthogonal to the third axis. The passive axis system correlating rotation of the swivel member about the first axis with rotation of the gimbal about the fourth axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has two openings through which two resilient latch arms can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides two lead-in ramps that force the resilient latch arms onto locking surfaces. The resilient latch arms are contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. Inward forces can be applied to two buttons to apply an outward force on the resilient latch arms and release them from the locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure. Each of the two buttons is accessible from one of two opposite outside surfaces of the proximal control mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising an end effector, a shaft assembly, a closure drive system, and a firing drive system is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a dual lock configured to engage a closure member and a firing member to prevent the firing member from being advanced distally from a proximal firing stroke position before the closure member is in a distal closure stroke position. The dual lock is further configured to prevent the closure member from being retracted from the distal closure stroke position before the firing member is returned to the proximal firing stroke position after the firing stroke.

Abstract: A medical lighting device for illuminating an operative field, which device includes light-emitting diode (LED) light sources that cooperate with collimator optical systems to light the operative field. LEDs are mounted on a flat printed circuit board so that their illumination axes (B) passing through the collimator optical systems (7) have different angular orientations. The printed circuit board (6) may be cut out to form tongues, each of which is flexible and has a free end carrying an LED. Each tongue can be deformed under stress in such a manner that its free end is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the illumination axis (B).

Abstract: A method of producing a modification plan for producing a surgical guide from an impression element includes: obtaining surface data representing a configuration of a surface of an impression element providing an impression of a surgical site; obtaining image data of a patient's anatomy; obtaining surgical plan data providing a surgical plan with respect to features in the image data representing anatomical features of the patient's anatomy; registering the impression element using the surface data and the image data with anatomical features of the patient's anatomy; and producing a modification plan from the surgical plan data using the registration of the impression element with anatomical features of the patient's anatomy, the modification plan being a plan for modifying the impression element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring device for registering lesions or microcalcification in a biological tissue, comprising: a guide wire comprising at least one graduated portion for determining the anchoring depth of the anchoring device, at least two anchoring members for anchoring in a biological tissue connected to the guide wire, and a connecting ring connecting the guide wire to the anchoring members. The invention relates also to an anchoring system comprising such an anchoring device, a mandrel and a hollow positioning needle.

Abstract: A marker device that aids in the subsequent identification of a particular area is equipped with an anchoring device that prevents migration once placed in the tissue of that particular area. The device may include a chemical agent or drug that adds a therapeutic function to the marker device.

Abstract: A marker delivery device includes a handle having a housing, and a cannula positioned in the handle that retractably extends beyond the front end of the housing. A retraction mechanism is mounted to the housing, and has a shear member. The retraction mechanism is coupled to a proximal end of the cannula. The retraction mechanism is configured to store a retraction force, and is configured to facilitate a retraction of the cannula into a chamber of the housing upon an actuation of the retraction mechanism. The shear member has a shear region of reduced cross section dimension. The shear member is configured to be displaced upon the actuation of the retraction mechanism to expose the shear region to the retraction force to shear the shear member at the shear region to enable the retraction and prevent reuse of the marker delivery device.

Abstract: A medical headlamp and camera system having an articulated linkage-and-headlamp assembly, including an articulated linkage supporting a headlamp and a video camera, which produces a first video data signal. A headband assembly, supporting the articulated linkage-and-headlamp assembly, and including at least one battery port, supporting a battery, and further including an electrical network, including a microcontroller, that supplies electrical power to the headlamp, in reliance on computations performed by the microcontroller, from the battery and also delivers electrical power from the battery to the video camera. Also, a data compression network, is electrically connected to the video camera and receives the first video data signal and compresses it into a compressed data signal, Finally, a wireless transceiver supported by the headband assembly and electrically connected to the data compression network wirelessly transmits the compressed data signal.

Abstract: An arthroscopic shaver cleaning device and method of cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr are disclosed. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device includes a sleeve portion configured to interface with a proximal portion of a blade/burr of an arthroscopic shaver. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device further includes a fluid connection portion having a fluid passageway configured to direct fluid toward the proximal portion of the blade/burr in order to dislodge debris entrapped in shaver lumen of the blade/burr.

Abstract: To provide an air injection device for a dental handpiece which makes it possible to obtain a clear image even if the position of an image taking part is changed, provided is an air injection device including: a trunk connector (41) that is in a form of a column, in the trunk connector a passage being formed; an air guiding pipe (45) that is in a form of a pipe, one end of the air guiding pipe being connected to the trunk connector, the air guiding pipe having flexibility; and a means (46) that retains the air guiding pipe in the dental handpiece main body, wherein the passage in the trunk connector branches, one of the branching passages communicating with the air guiding pipedental handpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centering and guiding device (1) for a dental drill which comprises a body (10) including a guiding hole (15) for a dental drill and two arms (20, 30) pivotally coupled to the body (10). Each arm includes a respective free end (22, 32). Said arms (20,30) are capable of pivoting between a first open position, in which said respective free ends (22, 32) are mutually spaced apart to promote the movement of the device (1) from and towards an operating surface, and a second closed position, in which the free ends (22, 32) are approached to each other to match an operating surface. The device according to the invention also comprises an elastic element (40) to push the arms (20, 30) towards the closed position. According to the invention, each of said arms (20, 30) comprises a cylindrical end (27, 37), opposite to the corresponding free end (22, 32), accommodated in a corresponding seat (10A) defined by the body (10).

Abstract: The a-flex assist arm is a device that attaches to any surface on a dental chair or hospital bed or in either case attachment to any surrounding surfaces in the dental office or any medical setting. It is designed to hold any suction device but not limited to just holding a medical or dental suction. The A-flex is essentially a third arm that can be used in any field holding items such as tools, instruments or devices.

Abstract: A surgical tool with an improved drive system may feature an uneven, rotating, swash plate pushing against a spring biased driving shaft to transform rotary motion to linear motion. As the swash plate pushes forward, the spring tension increases and is then continually released as the swash plate is rotates to a point where less pressure is applied to the shaft. The motion is then smooth, continuous, and reciprocating. Various tool bits may be provided for various operations.

Abstract: A dental form assembly for forming a restorative material in a pair of adjacent teeth during a dental procedure includes a first band that is selectively wrapped around a first tooth thereby facilitating the first band to be aligned with a cavity in the first tooth. The first band is comprised of a metallic material to retain a restorative material in the cavity. A second band is coupled to the first band and the second band is selectively wrapped around a second tooth is adjacent to the first tooth. Additionally, the second band is aligned with a cavity in the second tooth. Each of the first band and the second band facilitate the cavity in each of the first tooth and the second tooth to be simultaneously filled. The second band is comprised of a metallic material to retain the restorative material in the cavity in the second tooth.

Abstract: A chemi-luminescent cheek retractor, wherein, the chemi-luminiscence is not localized to a specific location but the whole cheek retractor has multiple compartments to provide adequate and uniform illumination. Further, the cheek retractor is inflated with chemi-luminescent reagent and triggered by triggering agent thus allowing a chemi-luminescent reaction. The chamber is made of transparent heat resistant flexible material to withstand the heat generated during the chemi-luminescent reaction. An angular oris is lined with a reflective coating on the mouth facing surface to aid in better and uniform illumination; one detachable extendable flange is provided to abet attachments for providing multi-functionality, the purpose of detachable components is to facilitate easy cleaning and sterilization.

Abstract: A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

Abstract: A dental implant cover, constituted of: an elongated member extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated member arranged and dimension such that when the elongated member is fitted over a dental implant which is implanted into a patient bone, the first end of the elongated member covers an end of the dental implant and the second end of the elongated member extends towards the patient bone; and filler material deposited between the elongated member and the dental implant.

Abstract: A ceramic dental prosthesis including an implant for osseointegration in a jaw bone with a receiving opening and an abutment having a through-hole for receiving a bolt. The bolt is produced from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and connects the abutment and the implant. The dental prosthesis system includes an anti-rotation feature formed by a first interlocking means arranged on a proximal end of the abutment and a second interlocking means arranged on a distal end of the implant. The first interlocking means engages in the second interlocking means, wherein the first and second interlocking means are arranged at a distance from one another such that the abutment can be tilted relative to the implant. The bolt runs in the through-hole of the abutment and the receiving opening. An interference fit is provided between the bolt and the receiving opening of the implant.

Abstract: Embodiments for estimating a surface texture of a tooth are described herein. One method embodiment includes collecting a sequence of images utilizing multiple light conditions using an intra-oral imaging device and estimating the surface texture of the tooth based on the sequence of images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.

Abstract: A tooth cleaning structure includes an elongate member. The elongate member includes a first section, a second section, and an intermediate section connected between the first section and the second section. The first section includes a tooth cleaning plate. The intermediate section has a thickness that is greater than thicknesses of the first section and the second section, so that the elongate member is elastically deformable and the intermediate section support the tooth cleaning plate to extend out in a flat form at an end of the elongate member. To use, a user may hold the intermediate section or the second section of the elongate member with the tooth cleaning plate being kept flat at an end of the elongate member to ease operation of insertion of the tooth cleaning plate into a slit between teeth of the user, with the tooth cleaning plate undergoing elastic deformation.

Abstract: An interdental cleaner has a rod-shaped support which is made of plastic and which, at a support rear end region, has a grip part. A support opposite front end region has a flocking with flock fibers made of plastic. The rod-shaped support is provided, in the support front end region, with a sleeve-shaped cover made of a flexible plastic. The flocking is arranged on the cover.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for cleaning teeth and gingival pockets are disclosed herein. A fluid platform can include a pressure wave generator configured to propagate pressure waves through a treatment fluid. The pressure waves may be sufficient to remove undesirable dental deposits from a treatment tooth, neighboring gums, and/or spaces between the tooth and gums.

Abstract: Oral hygiene systems and methods for their use are provided. An oral hygiene system includes a mouthpiece having an outer portion and an inner portion configured to receive at least a portion of a user's dental and gum structures, a plurality of filaments disposed within the inner portion of the mouthpiece, a water pressure irrigator configured to be selectively coupled to the outer portion of the mouthpiece and to deliver fluid to the inner portion of the mouthpiece, and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the water pressure irrigator and configured to deliver the fluid thereto, wherein the system is configured to generate ultrasound/ultrasonic vibration within the inner portion of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A light curing instrument for curing a target (with a material that is curable in response to application of light energy) includes a light source capable of outputting the light energy along an illumination path to cure the material and a sensor. The light source is controllable to vary the light energy being output, and the sensor, such as a photodiode, is configured to sense a light characteristic of light reflected back from the target. The sensor senses light reflected back along a sensing path and generates a feedback sensor signal. The instrument further includes a substrate for supporting the light source and the sensor, which is configured to support the light source and the sensor so that the illumination path and the sensing path are co-axial.

Abstract: A method of applying a dental treatment composition to a patient's teeth, including selecting a dental treatment composition, applying the dental treatment composition to a surface of at least one tooth of the patient; and applying pressurized gas on the dental treatment composition to spread the dental treatment composition smoothly across the surface of the tooth.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for injecting a medicament into a patient, the injection apparatus has a stationary head and a movable head that is movable with respect to the stationary head. A needle is attached to a needle holder that is held by the movable head and by the stationary head. When the movable head is urged rearwardly, a front edge of the needle moves forwardly with respect to a front face of the movable head.

Abstract: A mesh implant for lifting or restraining a body part includes filament strands (e.g., monofilaments) braided together into a tubular configuration that is hollow along a longitudinal axis and anchors (e.g., barbs) extending from the filament strands along their length, wherein the anchors are configured to anchor onto tissue of the body part. In one implementation, a first end of the mesh implant is closed and a second end has a needle attached thereto (e.g., via a monofilament strand, which may or may not have anchors along it).

Abstract: Stitching patterns overlap to produce a corner-locked stitch pattern. The corner-locked stitch pattern includes one or more thread interlace points, and one or more overlays of threads from overlapping patterns. A network of corner-lock stitch patterns produces a mesh, which may be embroidered into a substrate, such as a medical textile or biotextile. Corner-lock stitch patterns resist puncture-induced and tension-induced deformation of mesh pores between corner-locked stitch patterns, and may be used to modulate compliance and enhance strength properties of a substrate into which they are sewn.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to assemblies and methods that include (1) strips or cords of material configured to lift, restrain, or hold whole body organs (e.g., of a human patient) or parts of body organs in desired positions via tissue anchors (e.g., barbs, hooks, or cones), (2) an introducer device that facilitates the introduction of such strips or cords into a patient, and (3) the process of inserting such strips or cords of material into a patient (e.g., using an introducer device).