Abstract: A surgical instrument for electrosurgery having a first forceps arm, a first forceps jaw of the first forceps arm, a first conductor tip of the first forceps arm, a second forceps arm disposed opposite the first forceps arm, a second forceps jaw of the second forceps arm, the second forceps jaw disposed opposite the first forceps jaw, a second conductor tip of the second forceps arm, and the second conductor tip disposed opposite the first conductor tip. The first forceps arm includes a first forceps arm first thermal portion comprised of a first thermal material, and a first forceps arm second thermal portion comprised of a second thermal material. The second forceps arm includes a second forceps arm first thermal portion comprised of the first material, and a second forceps arm second thermal portion comprised of the second material.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple penetrators advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, nerve sensing, nerve stimulation, or ablation by application of energy. The catheter can include a proximal handle for the advancement of guide tubes and penetrators.

Abstract: A method and device for modulating the autonomic nervous system adjacent a pericardial space to treat cardiac arrhythmia includes a treatment source arranged to supply a treatment medium, a catheter having an end sized for insertion into the pericardial space, a medium delivery assembly having a distal end arranged to be positioned by the catheter into the pericardium, with the distal end of the delivery assembly comprising a delivery tip arranged to extend away from the distal end of the catheter into the pericardial space. A connector operatively couples the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly to the treatment source, and the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly including a plurality of delivery points for delivering the treatment medium at a plurality of treatment areas within the pericardial space. The device performs modulation or ablation of the autonomic nervous system at selected treatment areas within the pericardium.

Abstract: Methods and systems treat abnormal cardiac electrical activity employing a probe having first and second ablation electrodes disposed on a distal portion of the probe and a sensing electrode disposed between the first and second ablation electrodes, bringing the probe into contact with cardiac tissue, and applying energy through the first and second ablation electrodes to ablate target tissue along an ablation path, monitoring cardiac electrical activity using the sensing electrode to detect the cardiac electrical activity. After making an observation that the cardiac electrical activity is no longer detectable by the sensing electrode, energy application is terminated.

Abstract: A medical device including a handle; a flexible conduit having a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the proximal segment is coupled to the handle; and a substantially contiguous shaping structure coupled to the distal segment of the flexible conduit, wherein the shaping structure is configured to transition from (i) a substantially linear configuration to (ii) a configuration where a portion of the contiguous shaping structure is laterally displaced from remaining portions of the contiguous support structure upon the application of an axial compression force to the shaping structure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument capable of supporting resonance of microwave energy at multiple frequencies. The instrument comprises a coaxial cable and a radiating distal tip portion arranged to receive microwave energy from the coaxial cable. The radiating tip portion consists of a dielectric material having an electrical length selected in conjunction with its dielectric properties at three or more frequencies of microwave energy to support resonance at each frequency. By providing a single device that can effectively couple microwave energy into biological tissue at three or more frequencies, tissue ablation can be performed rapidly with accuracy.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting assembly for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting assembly includes a cutting element having a first end and a second end, the cutting element comprising an optical waveguide for receiving light from at least one light source. The cutting assembly includes a first light guiding element configured to guide light from the at least one light source into the first end of the cutting element, and a second light guiding element configured to guide light from the at least one light source into the second end of the cutting element. Each of the light guiding elements comprises a taper transition section in which a diameter of the light guiding element reduces from a first diameter to a second diameter. A hair cutting device comprising a cutting assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for characterizing a behavior of an anatomical structure. Tracking data can be generated by a tracking system to represent at least a location of at least one sensor in a three-dimensional tracking coordinate system over time. A motion model is generated to characterize the behavior of the anatomical structure over a plurality of time instances. For instance, the motion model includes at least one free parameter and a temporal parameter. Each free parameter estimating geometry of the anatomical structure derived from the tracking data, and the temporal parameter indexes the free parameter over the plurality of time instances. A visualization is generated to provide a sequence of graphical images based on the motion model to characterize behavior of the anatomical structure over time.

Abstract: An exemplary method of determining a surgical spinal correction for a subject using analysis of motion capture images of the subject, which uses the steps of obtaining pre-operative three-dimensional images of a spinal region, obtaining a pre-operative time sequenced set of images of the subject during a movement progression of said subject, calculating in a plurality of the motion capture images, alignment parameters relating to upper and lower body regions of the subject, and determining if any of the calculated alignment parameters are outside their predetermined acceptable ranges in one or more of the images, iteratively adjusting anatomical elements in three-dimensional images until all of the calculated alignment parameters are within their predetermined acceptable ranges; and adjusting spinal anatomy in the three-dimensional images according to the degree of adjustment of spinal parameters in the motion capture images to determine a surgical spinal correction.

Abstract: A technique for accessing extra articular lesions or abnormalities or intra osseous lesions or abnormalities or bone marrow lesions or all has the step of positioning the localizing pinning member onto cartilage or subchondral bone to define a virtual pathway through the cartilage or subchondral bone towards or into or through the lesion or abnormality or a desired target to create the virtual pathway utilizing an intra articular localizing pinning member to determine a location of the lesion or abnormality wherein the utilization of the localizing pinning member includes the step to locate or stabilize or both and thereafter using the virtual pathway to create an entry access.

Abstract: A technique for accessing extra articular lesions or abnormalities or intra osseous lesions or abnormalities or bone marrow lesions or all has the step of positioning the localizing pinning member onto cartilage or subchondral bone to define a virtual pathway through the cartilage or subchondral bone towards or into or through the lesion or abnormality or a desired target to create the virtual pathway utilizing an intra articular localizing pinning member to determine a location of the lesion or abnormality wherein the utilization of the localizing pinning member includes the step to locate or stabilize or both and thereafter using the virtual pathway to create an entry access.

Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system. The foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal base, a foot pedal and a sensor. The foot pedal moves relative to the foot pedal base and has a contact surface extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the foot pedal. The contact surface is to come into contact with a foot of a user during use of the foot pedal assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system and the distal end is farther away from a heel of the foot than the proximal end during use of the assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: A medical system including a support structure including a proximal link and a distal link, and a base joint coupling the proximal link of the support structure to a base, wherein the proximal link is configured to rotate about a first axis associated with the base joint. The system also includes a linkage mechanism coupling the proximal link to the distal link. The system also includes an instrument support coupled to the distal link, wherein the instrument support has an orientation relative to the base in a first configuration of the support structure, and wherein the linkage mechanism maintains the orientation of the instrument support relative to the base as the support structure is moved into a second configuration in which the support structure is rotated relative to the base about the first axis and the distal link is extended from the proximal link.

Abstract: A surgical endoscope for manipulation by a surgical robot arm. The surgical endoscope comprises a shaft having a distal end for insertion into a patient and a proximal end. An endoscope interface is attached to the proximal end of the shaft. The endoscope interface is configured to engage a robot arm interface of the surgical robot arm. The endoscope interface comprises an endoscope wedge mechanism moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The endoscope wedge mechanism comprises endoscope wedge elements which are displaceable such that collective displacement of the endoscope wedge elements actuates the endoscope wedge mechanism between the unlocked position and the locked position.

Abstract: An OSS guiding and monitoring system employs an interventional device (40) including an integration of a OSS sensor (20) and one or more interventional tools (30), the OSS sensor (20) for generating shape sensing data informative of a shape of the OSS sensor (20) as the interventional device (40) is navigated within an anatomical region. The OSS guiding and monitoring system further employs an OSS guiding controller (90) for controlling a reconstruction of a shape of the interventional device (40) within the anatomical region responsive to a generation of the shape sensing data by the OSS sensor (20), and an OSS monitoring controller (100) for controlling a monitoring of a degree of folding and/or a degree of twisting of the interventional device (40) within the anatomical region.

Abstract: A medical device includes a link, a first tool member, a second tool member and a third tool member, which each have a proximal end portion movably coupled to the link and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the first tool member can engage a first object and be associated with a first medical function, the distal end portion of the second tool member can engage a second object and be associated with a second medical function, and the distal end portion of the third tool member can engage the first object or the second object and be associated with the first and/or second medical function. Each of the first, second and third tool members can move relative to the link independent of movement of the each of the other tool members.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical instrument is provided for the control of flows of one or more fluids into and out of a surgical site. The robotic surgical instrument may include a housing, a flow control system, a hollow tube, and one or more hose fittings. The housing to couple the instrument to a robotic arm. The flow control system mounted in the housing includes one or more controlled valves to control the flow of one or more fluids. The hollow tube has a first end mounted in the housing coupled to the flow control system. A second end of the hollow tube has one or more openings to allow the flow of fluids into and out of the surgical site. The hose fittings have a first end coupled to the flow control system and a second end to couple to hoses.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided in which an instrument can translate along an insertion axis. Rather than relying primarily on a robotic arm for instrument insertion, the instruments described herein have novel instrument based insertion architectures that allow portions of the instruments themselves to translate along an insertion axis. For example, an instrument can comprise a shaft, an end effector on a distal end of the shaft, and a handle coupled to the shaft. The architecture of the instrument allows the shaft to translate relative to the handle along an axis of insertion. The translation of the shaft does not interfere with other functions of the instrument, such as end effector actuation.

Abstract: A surgical manipulator is disclosed which includes a surgical instrument, an arm comprising a plurality of links and being configured to support and move the surgical instrument, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to model the surgical instrument as a virtual rigid body. Forces and torques are applied externally to the surgical instrument. The at least one controller determines a commanded pose of the surgical instrument based on evaluation of the forces and torques and controls movement of the arm to place the surgical instrument according to the commanded pose.

Abstract: A system is provided to provide haptic feedback during a medical procedure comprising: a quantitative three-dimensional (Q3D); a surgical instrument disposed to deform a tissue structure; a haptic user interface device configured to provide an indication of tissue structure deformation in response to information indicative of the measure of tissue structure deformation; and a processor configured to produce a Q3D model that includes information indicative of a measure of tissue structure deformation and to provide the information indicative of the measure of tissue structure deformation to the haptic user interface device.

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: The present invention is package for a sterile tool, and a system for housing and using the tool in a sterile environment. The tool in its non-functioning state, lacking non-sterile components, is disposable. The system permits insertion of non-sterile elements of the tool into the tool while maintaining sterility of the outside portion of the tool. When the package is opened, a door on the tool automatically closes over the non-sterile element in the sleeve.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for illuminating an interior portion of an eye are disclosed herein. In an exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for use in ophthalmic surgery. The apparatus may include a light guide including an optical fiber, a transition region, and a light sleeve. The transition region may be disposed between the optical fiber and the light sleeve for transmission of light from the optical fiber to the light sleeve such that the light sleeve is operable to emit the light at a distal end of the light sleeve.

Abstract: Deformation of mobile soft tissue is detected and represented in a three-dimensional medical image based on radiographically-detectable markers that are implanted in the tissue. Locations of the markers are co-registered with locations within the tissue. Sensed changes in relative locations of the markers are used to calculate relative changes in locations within the tissue due to deformation. The changes are used to calculate coordinated multi-voxel manipulations, such that a real-time volumetric medical imaging dataset is developed. By co-registering the operating room coordinate system and the volumetric medical imaging coordinate system, depth-3-dimensional augmented reality viewing of this real-time volumetric medical imaging dataset can be achieved, thereby improving the surgeon's understanding of underlying surgical anatomy and ultimately improving surgical outcomes.

Abstract: A hyperdexterous surgical system is provided. The system can include one or more surgical arms coupleable to a fixture and configured to support one or more surgical tools. The system can include an electronic control system configured to communicate electronically with the one or more robotic surgical tools. The control system can electronically control the operation of the one or more surgical tools. The system can include one or more portable handheld controllers actuatable by a surgeon to communicate one or more control signals to the one or more surgical tools via the electronic control system to operate the one or more surgical tools. The one or more portable handheld controllers can provide said one or more control signals from a plurality of locations of an operating arena, allowing a surgeon to be mobile during a surgical procedure and to remotely operate the one or more surgical tools from different locations of the operating arena.

Abstract: A medical positioning apparatus including a telescopic member extending between first and second ends and having an adjustable length; a support member for receiving an object; a base member securable to a base; a first joint mechanism movably securing the support member to the first end of the telescopic member; a second joint mechanism including a housing with a top portion directly rotationally connected to the second end of the telescopic member, and at least one side portion directly rotationally connected to the base member and movably securing the base member to the second end of the telescopic member, a locking device operatively connected to the first and second joint mechanisms and the telescopic member, the locking device operable between a locked position and a released position; and a lock activation device to unlock the locking device biased in the locked position.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to systems, apparatuses or devices, and methods for: conditioning surfaces of dialysis catheters; removing or clearing occlusions within dialysis catheters; or collecting tissue or cell samples.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a medical adherence device. A medical adherence device includes a sharps bin, and an enclosure, the enclosure configured to display information on an output screen, receive medical waste and record information about the medical waste as the medical waste drops into the sharps bin.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an electric motor (9), in particular for moving an endodontic instrument. The device has a first sensor (8) and a control unit (2). The control unit (2) has a drive unit (4), a second sensor (6) and a processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) is configured to cause the endodontic instrument (7) to perform a sequence of movements (M1, M2). The sequence of movements (M1, M2) includes a continuous forward movement (M1) and at least one alternating movement (M2). The sequence may include an additional alternating movement (M3) and/or a reverse movement (M4). The number and order of movements to be performed in a sequence depends on a set of predefined threshold values reflecting the torque load applied to the instrument, as measured by one of the sensors.

Abstract: A tool and set thereof providing for relatively easy removal of dentures is described. At least one embodiment comprises a set of tools: one for removal of an upper denture; and a second for removal of a lower denture. Each are characterized by a cylindrical shaft that has a flat or facet formed near its distal end that tapers towards the distal end thinning the shaft. The tip is bent to about a 90 degree angle. The thin tip can be easily maneuvered over a lip of a denture and as necessary in-between the denture lip and the underlying gum. The user holding onto the handle on the proximal end of the tool can push, pull, leverage and rotate the tip to pop the denture loose for removal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tools, systems and methods for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue by engaging a consumable tip on a dental hand tool to abrade/ablate excess or mal-contoured gum tissue to allow better visualization of the tooth/implant structure and reduce the periodontal pockets to provide improved access for cleaning. In some embodiments, the dental hand tool may use vibrational movement, longitudinal reciprocating movement, rotational movement, reciprocating rotational movement, or a combination of any of the above movement schemes. In some embodiments, a consumable tip may be directed for cleaning tooth/implant surfaces and for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue.

Abstract: A slender polishing tip is disclosed. In one example, it is an interproximal polishing bur, which is a dental instrument that is a small bit used in a high-speed handpiece by a dentist to perform dental work on the teeth of a patient. It smooths the adjacent tooth or restoration. An adjacent tooth may inadvertently become nicked by the high-speed handpiece while working on a tooth, leaving the adjacent surface roughened. This roughened surface will attract more bacteria and can be harmful to the health of the dentition. Presently, there are no such burs slender enough to fit into the small space available between the prepared tooth and the adjacent tooth to allow appropriate smoothing. The interproximal polishing bur described is small and slender with a particular shape designed to re-finish and re-polish the surfaces of an adjacent gold crown, porcelain crown, and natural dentition.

Abstract: A method includes determining, from a first image, a first region comprising teeth, wherein the first region comprises a first set of pixel locations. A first parametric function is generated based on intensities at the first set of pixel locations. Image data comprising new contours of the mouth is received, wherein one or more of the teeth have a different position in the image data than in the first image. A second region comprising the teeth is determined from the image data, wherein the second region comprises a second set of pixel locations for the teeth. A new image is then generated based on the image data and the first parametric function, wherein a shape of the teeth is based on the image data and a color of the teeth is based on applying the first parametric function to the second set of pixel locations for the teeth.

Abstract: Method and system for displaying an orthodontic related image including one or more image segments, selecting one or more movement indicators associated with a corresponding one or more of the image segments, and dynamically displaying a modified orthodontic related image based on the selected one or more movement indicators are provided.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sublingual dental appliance for treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). The sublingual dental appliance may be a semi-permanent physical training device that guides the tongue into the appropriate position in the mouth, thereby training the muscles to address a disorder. The sublingual device may feature a pair of support structures that guide the tongue into the appropriate relationship with the palate, with the tongue directed in a superior angle to the superior portion of the mouth, against the hard palate, during both use and rest. Although the appliance may be semi-permanently affixed to the individual, the support structures of the appliance are directly affixed to flexible, adjustable elements that may be adjusted during use to reconfigure the angle or position of the support structures as needed during treatment.

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

Abstract: A dental post made from a zirconia compound, wherein said zirconia compound is at least one of a pure zirconia puck, a zirconia stabilized with yttria (yttrium oxide) compound, a cubic zirconia compound, a Partially Stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) compound, a Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (TZP) compound and a Zirconium based bulk metallic glass (BMG).

Abstract: Disclosed is a 3D scanning system and a method for using such a system, where a handheld scanner of the 3D scanner system is used to control the operation mode of the system such that the user does not need to engage an external unit e.g. during a scanning procedure in which the teeth in a patient's upper and lower jaws are scanned.

Abstract: In a method for optical recording of the surface geometry of gums, an object with known surface geometry, in particular a gingiva former, is located in the region of the gum to be recorded. A surface geometry of the region is recorded optically together with the object and the known surface geometry of the object is subtracted from the recorded surface geometry.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and user interfaces for facilitating the design of a so-called copy denture, whereby an existing denture is reproduced after making changes to the existing denture to improve fit, aesthetics or other parameters. A method may include the steps of obtaining a digital model of an existing denture, segmenting the digital model of the existing denture into an intermediate denture base model and at least one intermediate denture teeth model, and generating a digital data file of a final denture base model based on the intermediate denture base model and providing a digital data file of at least one final denture teeth model based on the at least one intermediate denture teeth model.

Abstract: A method is used to provide a dental prosthetic with an upper boundary that cannot be seen when a patient smiles with the dental prosthetic installed. The method includes tracing a smile line on a dental appliance while the dental appliance is in the patient's mouth and while the patient is smiling. The method then includes transferring that smile line from the dental appliance to a study cast of the patient's mouth. The study cast is then scanned to create a three-dimensional digital model that includes the transferred smile line. The three-dimensional digital model is used to generate a surgical plan and surgical hardware for installation of the dental prosthetic. The dental prosthetic may include a full arch restoration.

Abstract: A method (400) for calibrating a gyroscope (28) of an oral care device (10) includes the steps of: scheduling (420) a data acquisition scheme comprising a plurality of time points; obtaining (430) sensor data by the gyroscope at each of the plurality of time points; determining (440) whether the oral care device was experiencing motion at any of the plurality of time points and, if so, discarding those time points from further analysis; determining (450) a calibration model using the obtained sensor data; generating (460), based on the obtained sensor data and the determined calibration model, one or more parameters describing a behavior of the gyroscope; and calibrating (470), using the one or more parameters, gyroscope data obtained during a cleaning session.

Abstract: An attachment brush part for an electrical body care brush, in particular an electrical toothbrush, wherein the attachment brush part is designed in a multi-part manner. The attachment brush part includes an attachment brush housing, a drive rod for driving a brush head, with a brush-head-side end section, on which a first toothing is arranged, and with a hand-part-side end section, and furthermore a brush head with a bristle carrier and care bristles which are arranged on this, wherein the bristle carrier includes a second toothing. The attachment brush housing further includes a securing element for the rotatable mounting of the hand-part-side end section of the drive rod. The first and second toothing form a drive toothing for the driving of the brush head by the drive rod.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are described for unique storage of baby teeth. The disclosed embodiments describe a storage unit that may have a removable (or removably secure) cover and a base. A baby tooth storage kit may include the storage unit adapted to house tubes that may store baby teeth together with their corresponding “tooth fairy” note. The kit may also be adapted to store a writing implement and a plurality of notes. Also, described herein is a unique game or instruction set for using the kit in an original way if so desired.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising an inhalation exposure chamber and an aerosol delivery line connected to the inhalation exposure chamber. The aerosol delivery line is configured to produce a bi-directional and symmetrical presentation of aerosol to the inhalation exposure chamber. A laminar flow element is configured to create an ante-chamber where complete and turbulent mixing of the aerosol occurs. A radial exhaust and the laminar flow element enable laminar flow of the aerosol through the inhalation exposure chamber.

Abstract: The present application relates to method and apparatus for reducing migration and rotation of implantable devices including an expandable element and an elongate portion.

Abstract: A surgical kit used for removing a vascular filter, particularly an Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter. The surgical kit includes a forceps-tool and a sheath. The forceps-tool includes a pair of interlocking-jaw members configured to grasp a hook of the vascular filter in a clamped-position. Once clamped, the sheath can be extended over a body of the vascular filter to retrieve and remove the vascular filter.

Abstract: Acellular tissue matrix compositions for use in tissue approximation are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions to approximate tissue.

Abstract: A tubular structure has succeeded in achieving excellent puncture resistance as well as maintenance of flexibility in a base by covering the base with a cover having excellent flexibility. The tubular structure includes a tubular base and a cover which covers the base, wherein the cover includes a copolymer containing a silicone monomer and a polymerizable monomer having a fluoroalkyl group(s) as monomer units.