Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented medical data processing method for determining a stimulated nerve fibre disposed in an anatomical body part of a patient's body, the method comprising executing, on at least one processor of at least one computer, steps of: a) acquiring, at the at least one processor, medical image data describing a digital image of the anatomical body part, wherein the anatomical body part contains at least one nerve fibre extending in a direction between an internal part of the anatomical body part and a substantially exterior part of the anatomical body part; b) acquiring, at the at least one processor, atlas data describing an image-based model of the anatomical body part including a representation of the at least one nerve fibre; c) determining, by the at least one processor and based on the medical image data and the atlas data, exterior part data describing an association between the exterior part and the nerve fibre; d) acquiring, at the at least one processor, stimulation signal da

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring an exercise, in which method the electrical signals caused by active muscles are measured with a measuring device and response is given from the physical performance with a perceivable signal. In the method in accordance with the invention by measuring and analyzing EMG activities of muscles or EMG activities of muscles and movements of the body quantities describing the physical performance and/or the result of the physical performance are calculated or evaluated.

Abstract: A method of assessing the stiffness of bone comprising the steps of: placing an elongate probe into a predrilled aperture in the bone to be assessed; exciting the elongate probe to physically oscillate; and monitoring the resonance frequency of the probe. The resonance frequency is analysed to determine the quality, density and/or stiffness of the bone.

Abstract: A catheter device system may include a plurality of transducers positionable in a bodily cavity defined by at least a tissue wall, each transducer configured to sense a degree of contact between the transducer and the tissue wall. A data processing device system may be configured by a program to receive a plurality of degree-of-contact signals respectively from the plurality of transducers, the signals respectively indicating a degree of contact between the transducer and the tissue wall; identify a particular transducer as belonging to a first transducer set and as exhibiting an improper contact arrangement with the tissue wall as compared to a predetermined tissue-contact state, based at least on an interaction with data associated with at least one of the received degree-of-contact signals; and, consequently, provide an indication of a contact-improvement procedure to facilitate an improved contact arrangement between the particular transducer and the tissue wall.

Abstract: A motion compensation system for tracking and compensating for patient motion during a medical imaging scan comprises an optical marker comprising an optically visible pattern and a mounting portion; a first optical detector positioned to digitally image the optically visible pattern along a first line of sight; a second optical detector positioned to digitally image the optically visible pattern along a second line of sight; a tracking engine configured to determine a pose of the object in six degrees of freedom by analyzing images from the first and second optical detectors; and a controller interface configured to generate tracking information based on the pose and to electronically transmit the tracking information to a scanner controller to enable compensation within a medical imaging scanner for object motion.

Abstract: An imaging device and method which can easily obtain a curve of time-varying changes in pixel value of a region of interest, even if the region of interest moves with a subject's body motion. A controller includes an image processor executing various types of image processing on fluorescence images and visible light images. The image processor includes a pixel value measurement unit which sequentially measures values of pixels at positions corresponding to a region of interest (ROI) in the fluorescence image, a change curve creation unit which creates a curve of time-varying changes in pixel value of the ROI by sampling, among the pixel values measured by the pixel value measurement unit, a minimum pixel value within a period equal to or longer than a cycle of the subject's body motion, and a smoothing unit which smooths the curve created by the change curve creation unit.

Abstract: In a method for detection of vital sign signal, a variation detection module is configured to determine whether there is a living body in an image captured by an image capture module, next, a beam direction of a vital sign sensing system is directed toward the living body to detect vital sign signal of the living body, and a compute module is configured to compute eigenvalue and confidence of the vital sign signal so as to reconfirm whether the determined living body in the image is a living body having vital signs.

Abstract: A minimally invasive procedure analysis and review system includes a display device, a user input device, a computing system communicatively connected to the display device and the user input device, and a study analysis module executable on a processor. The study analysis module is configured to receive a running tally of events during the minimally invasive procedure, wherein each event includes an event time and an event type. An event is selected from the running tally of events, and at least two relevant datasets are determined based on the event type of the selected event. A relevant time portion of each relevant dataset is identified based on the event time of the selected event, and the relevant time portions of each of the at least two relevant datasets is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and/or detecting cardiac events based on real-time biomedical signals are discussed herein. In various embodiments, a machine learning algorithm may be utilized to predict and/or detect one or more medical conditions based on obtained biomedical signals. For example, the systems and methods described herein may utilize ECG signals to predict and detect cardiac events. In various embodiments, patterns identified within a signal may be assigned letters (i.e., encoded as distributions of letters). Based on the known morphology of a signal, states within the signal may be identified based on the distribution of letters in the signal. When applied in the in-vehicle environment, drivers or passengers within the vehicle may be alerted when an individual within the vehicle is, or is about to, experience a cardiac event.

Abstract: A system and method of determining blood pressure includes measuring heart sounds, separating the measured heart sounds into a first heart sound (S1) and a second heart sound (S2), mathematically characterizing S1 and S2, and determining a blood pressure based on the characterization.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cardiac triggering of an imaging system. a method for an imaging system comprises acquiring, during a scan of a subject, an electrical signal indicating a periodic physiological motion of an organ of the subject, inputting a sample of the electrical signal into a trained neural network to detect whether a peak is present in the sample, triggering acquisition of image data responsive to detecting the peak in the sample, and not triggering the acquisition of image data responsive to not detecting the peak in the sample. In this way, the timing of data acquisition may be optimally and robustly synchronized with a cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A method comprising: acquiring via a network biogas information representing a concentration of furfural of the user acquired by a sensor that detects the furfural discharged from a skin surface of the user; obtaining the reference information representing a lower limit of a normal range of the concentration of furfural per unit period of time, using a memory storing the reference information; and outputting information related to stress of the user an information terminal of the user, after it is determined that a frequency that concentration of the furfural of the user per the unit period of time is less than the lower limit of the normal range tends to increase, based on the biogas information acquired in a pregnancy period of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (62, 64) for creating x-ray images as well as to an x-ray system. During the creation of an x-ray image, a slit diaphragm (16) is moved in front of an object (24) to be x-rayed, along a path extending between a radiation source (10) and said object (24), in order for the object (24) to be scanned. X-rays emitted by the radiation source (10) are detected by a detector (20) upon penetration of the slit diaphragm (16) and the object (24) to be x-rayed. In order to create an x-ray image using a simplified slot scanning technique, the x-ray image is created without the need for a second slit diaphragm (16) between the object (24) to be x-rayed and the detector (20), and only the radiation of which the intensity (60), detected by the detector (20) during the scan, exceeds a predefined threshold value is processed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

Abstract: A method for imaging a coronary arterial system of an individual includes releasing, using an actuator, pulses of a radio-opaque dye into a coronary arterial tree of the individual. The method further includes obtaining, using an image capture device, a sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images over time of the pulses of the radio-opaque dye. The method also includes tracking, using a processor, the pulses through the sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images and locating the pulses on a three dimensional (3D) structural model of the coronary arterial system to generate a three dimensional (3D) functional model of the coronary arterial system that shows a trajectory of the dye as it flows through different arterial branches.

Abstract: Disclosed is a way to provide a medical image processing device that may include a hardware processor that calculates at least one of trabecular connectivity, trabecular width, trabecular number, mineralization degree, osteoid volume, cortical width, and cortical porosity as a bone characteristic indicator of a subject from reconstructed image data generated from moiré image data acquired by photographing the subject.

Abstract: A system for processing image data from computed tomography scans has: a first detection device capable of being activated prior to an antitumor treatment on a patient and configured to perform a standard computed tomography scan on the patient to obtain first image data; a second detection device capable of being activated intraoperatively at the end of the patient's antitumor treatment and configured to perform a cone-beam computed tomography scan to obtain second image data; a processing unit, in data communication with the first device and the second device and configured to process the first image data and the second image data, thereby providing a graphic comparison between a tumor mass prior to the antitumor treatment and a necrotic area after the antitumor treatment. A corresponding method for processing image data from computed tomography scans is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for beta-emission two-dimensional imaging including: a beta ray detector configured to receive, from an imaging target containing a first nuclide and a second nuclide, a beta ray based on the first or second nuclide and thereby detect the beta ray, the beta ray detector outputting a beta ray detection signal including location information indicating a detection location of the beta ray on a two-dimensional basis; a gamma ray detector configured to detect a gamma ray, the gamma ray detector detecting the first and second peculiar gamma rays in a discriminable manner; and an imaging processor configured to be capable of generating a distribution image of the first nuclide and a distribution image of the second nuclide in a discriminable manner.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and a related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving two or more input images that include respectively an attenuation signal of an imaged object and a dark-field signal of the object. A combiner (COM) is configured to combine the two or more input images in a linear combination operation to form a combined image. An output (OUT) port configured to output the combined image.

Abstract: A system includes determination of a first sub-matrix of a projection matrix which describes a geometrical relationship between points of a three-dimensional coordinate system of the imaging system and points of a two-dimensional coordinate system of an image detector, determination of a second sub-matrix of the projection matrix, where the first and second sub-matrixes comprise a decomposition of the projection matrix, conversion of a first point of the two-dimensional coordinate system to a first point of the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the first and second sub-matrixes, determination of an updated first sub-matrix of an updated projection matrix, where the updated projection matrix describes a second geometrical relationship between points of the three-dimensional coordinate system and points of the two-dimensional coordinate system, and conversion of a second point of the two-dimensional coordinate system to a second point of the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the updated fi

Abstract: An ultrasound patch includes one or more transmit and receive piezoelectric transducer elements. In some embodiments, the transducer elements are positioned on a ramp on a patient pad of the patch that is configured to fit within an anatomic space between the trachea and the sternocleidomastoid muscle to orient the transducer elements toward a carotid artery. In some embodiments, a flexible phased array transducer includes a number of pillar piezoelectric elements joined by a flexible adhesive with metal electrodes deposited thereon. The phased array transducer is mounted to a flexible circuit board that allows the transducer to bend and conform to a subject's anatomy.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes: a data acquisition unit 3 that repeatedly transmits an ultrasound beam to a subject a plurality of times in a range over a plurality of scanning lines to acquire a time-series data string of reflected waves from the subject; an analysis target data selection unit 7 that estimates the amount of relative positional deviation of a scatterer of the subject which is included in the time-series data string and excludes time-series data satisfying an exclusion condition based on the amount of positional deviation of the scatterer from the time-series data string to select analysis target data; an MTI filter unit 8 that removes a clutter component from the analysis target data; and a blood flow information estimation unit 9 that analyzes the analysis target data from which the clutter component has been removed to estimate blood flow information of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and systems for generating enhanced images of a volume of tissue.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.

Abstract: A cervix probe is equipped with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer and configured for simultaneous acquisition of stress data and ultrasound strain data for the same sector of the cervix. Acquired and recorded stress and strain data are transmitted to a data processor for calculating cervix elasticity and cervix length, followed by calculating a probability of spontaneous preterm delivery using a clinically validated predictive model.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular imaging system and particularly to processing in multimodal systems. The invention provides an imaging system that splits incoming image data into two signals and performs the same processing step on each of the split signals. The system can then send the two signals down two processing pathways. Methods include receiving an analog image signal, transmitting the received signal to a processing system, splitting the signal to produce a first image signal and a second image signal, and performing a processing operation on the first image signal and the second image signal. The first and second signal include substantially the same information as one another.

Abstract: An intravascular Doppler ultrasonic device comprises a tip region forming a fraction of a catheter body at a distal end thereof and carrying an ultrasound probe. The tip region is bendable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. An actuator is provided in the tip region, which is configured to receive actuation drive power provided through the catheter body and to exert to the tip region a bending moment of a controllable amount. An actuation controller is configured to control actuation drive power delivery to the actuator so as to control the amount of the bending moment. A Doppler spectrum analysis unit is configured to receive Doppler spectrum data and to determine from it a Doppler signal quality measure indicative of a signal quality of the Doppler spectrum. The actuation controller is configured to determine the actuation drive power in dependence on the determined Doppler signal quality measure.

Abstract: A plurality of transmission and reception circuits are connected to a plurality of vibration elements. The transmission and reception circuit includes a basic delay circuit and a fine delay circuit. The basic delay circuit delays a transmission signal and a reception signal for sub beamforming. The fine delay circuit is configured to be capable of performing delay finer than that of the basic delay circuit. A quantized delay error is compensated for by the fine delay circuit at the time of transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for remotely controlling a main processing console of an ultrasound system. In various embodiments, an ultrasound remote controller can be used to remotely control a main processing console of an ultrasound system. The ultrasound remote controller can include a user interface controller configured to provide one or more ultrasound control functions to a user remote from the main processing console. The control functions can be used to remotely control operation of the main console. Further, the user interface controller can be configured to receive input for the one or more ultrasound control functions from the user. The ultrasound remote controller can include a communication interface configured to transmit operational instructions to the main processing console for remotely controlling the operation of the main processing console through the ultrasound remote controller based on the user input for the one or more ultrasound control functions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitter/receiver and processing circuitry. The transmitter/receiver sequentially transmits a first transmission beam group and a second transmission beam group and receives at least one reception beam for each transmission beam, via an ultrasound probe having a plurality of transducers arranged along an azimuth direction and an elevation direction. The processing circuitry combines a first reception beam based on a first transmission beam included in the first transmission beam group and a second reception beam based on a second transmission beam included in the second transmission beam group. Transmission beams that are adjacent to each other in the azimuth direction or the elevation direction belong to transmission beam groups that are different from each other.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (1) comprises an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer tiles (101a-d), each of said tiles having an independently adjustable orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface to a region of a body (50) including a foreign object such as a pacemaker, a stent, or an interventional tool (200). Using a known spatial arrangement of a plurality of features (201-204) of the foreign object (200), the respective ultrasound images generated by the ultrasound transducer tiles are registered in order to generate a composite image, in which the position and orientation of the foreign object in the individual images is superimposed. The position and orientation of an interventional tool may be determined for each image using object recognition algorithms or using acoustic feedback information provided by at least three ultrasound sensors (201-204) arranged in a known spatial arrangement on the interventional tool.

Abstract: A signal processing pathway for an ultrasonic imaging device is provided. The signal processing pathway is configured to operate in a frequency range of 1 MHz to 40 MHz inclusive and a voltage range of ?80V to +80V inclusive.

Abstract: An electronic circuit in an ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of sub beamformers and a control unit. Each sub beamformer includes M delay circuits and an adding circuit. Each delay circuit includes a memory cell array which is formed of N memory cells. Conditions of cyclic operations of the M memory cell arrays (for example, timings of start triggers) are made irregular, such that use starting stage numbers in the M memory cell arrays are different.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe which transmits and receives ultrasound waves, the ultrasound probe including a first storage in which probe type information of the ultrasound probe and individual property information indicating an individual property of the ultrasound probe are stored.

Abstract: The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.

Abstract: A biopsate recovery device (16) for recovering a biopsate (20) through an opening (46) with a recovery element (17) for fastening to or adjacent to a working tip (13) of a biopsy instrument (10) is disclosed, wherein the recovery element (17) is set up to—while the working tip (13) is being retracted through the opening (46)—be folded over the biopsate (20) in order to enclose the biopsate during the retraction of the working tip (13) through the opening (46) in order to separate the biopsate (20) from the environment during retraction through the opening (46). As a result of this, the biopsate (20) and/or the environment can be protected against contamination and/or cell transfer and/or germ transfer, and/or the biopsate (20) can be protected against being inadvertently stripped off at the opening (46).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting bone and bone marrow are provided. The apparatus may include a driver operable to be releasably engaged with an intraosseous device. The intraosseous device may include a cannula having a first end operable to penetrate bone and bone marrow and to allow retrieval of portions of bone and/or bone marrow. The cannula may have a second end operable to be releasably engaged with bone marrow sampling equipment. The apparatus may include a removable trocar. The removable trocar may have an inner channel operable to convey portions of bone and/or bone marrow. The removable trocar may have an inner channel and a side port communicating with the inner channel. The removable trocar may have a first end operable to penetrate bone and bone marrow.

Abstract: [Object] To effectively eliminate an effect of smoke that is generated by cauterization of a tissue. [Solving Means] Provided is a control apparatus including a control unit configured to control smoke removal processing on an image of a living body taken during surgery and actual smoke evacuation of smoke in the living body, in which the control unit allows execution of at least the smoke removal processing on the basis of a fact that the smoke has been detected. Also provided is a control system including: an endoscope configured to take an image of a living body during surgery; a control apparatus configured to control smoke removal processing on the image of the living body and actual smoke evacuation of smoke in the living body; and a smoke evacuation apparatus configured to execute the actual smoke evacuation of the smoke on a basis of control by the control apparatus, in which the control apparatus executes at least the smoke removal processing on a basis of a fact that the smoke has been detected.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions relating to delivering synthetic polymer formulations to the body are described, which can be used by a range of medical personnel including those with minimal experience and training. Under some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and devices for delivering polymer formulations to a body cavity (e.g. peritoneal cavity) to reduce or stop bleeding. Under some embodiments, an initial percutaneous access pathway is first formed using a delivery device with a probe and needle mechanism that automatically stops the advance of the device upon insertion into a body cavity or space, thus minimizing user error and improving patient safety. The hollow probe then allows transmission of polymer, mixed with gas and/or additional substances, from a holding chamber or canister to flow through the device and hollow probe into the patient's anatomic cavity or space of interest, stopping expansion when the device senses the appropriate pressure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical probe for traversing a tract in the body of a human or animal. One medical probe is disclosed which comprises an elongate elastically deformable member comprising a helically wound element, and a sheath having an inner surface which contacts an outer surface of the elastically deformable member. The probe is elastically deformable, for traversing the tract, by virtue of the elastically deformable member. The probe may include a treatment element, which can be used to perform a procedure in the body of a patient. An assembly comprising a probe and a treatment element is also disclosed. The medical probe has a particular use in the treatment of a fistula, in which the probe takes the form of a fistula probe adapted to traverse a fistula tract.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a steering tool and a powered tool. The steering tool includes a shaft defining a bore with a bendable section, an inelastic cable, and an elastic cable. The elastic cable may be arcuately spaced from the inelastic cable. The powered tool comprising a tube assembly with a tube flexible section, a working head, and a motor. The tube assembly is configured to be removably disposed through the shaft such that the tube flexible section is seated within the bore of the bendable section of the steering tool. The elastic cable is configured to be placed in tension, and the inelastic cable causes the shaft bendable section and the tube flexible section to bend towards the inelastic cable while the inelastic cable and the elastic cable remaining in tension to resist radial loading on the working head. Methods for using the surgical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for applying a bubble of a substance to a tissue surface, the device comprising a cannula, a distal tip at the distal end portion of the cannula, the distal tip having a bubble support surface and an exit port extending through the bubble support surface, an expansion fluid passageway extending through the cannula to the exit port, a source of an expansion fluid and an actuator therefor. In some arrangements, the distal tip can be configured to support a layer of the substance thereon over the distal port and the device can be configured such that the advancement of the expansion fluid from the fluid source through the exit port causes at least one bubble of the substance to form on the distal tip, wherein the at least a portion of the bubble can be transferred to the tissue surface to treat a defect on the tissue surface.

Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes an expandable structure for enhancing engagement with median lobe prostate tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, wherein applying a force to the actuation element when the anchor is disposed in a hole formed in a bone secures the anchor to the bone; and an inserter for deploying the anchor assembly in a hole formed in a bone, the inserter comprising: a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor; and a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force.

Abstract: Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.

Abstract: A wicking component is integrated into an arthroscopically deployable bone anchor, and is intended to improve soft tissue-to-bone repair. Once deployed, the fibrous wick component extends from within the bone tunnel, out of the hole, and to the bone-tendon interface on the bone surface. The tissue is approximated against the bone, sandwiching the wick material between the bone and tissue. The wick component is ideally a polymeric fibrous or tissue-based scaffold that provides a pathway for cells (autologous bone marrow constituents and blood) to travel from within the bone to the soft tissue-bone interface, accelerating and promoting the healing response. The system provides a biomimetic structure that stimulates the extracellular matrix to encourage cell attachment and potentially improve the healing response. The wick component does not need to be integrated into a suture anchor and installed when the suture anchor is deployed.

Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided, including implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient, the first tissue anchor attached to one or more tethers that are fixed to a coupling element. A second tissue anchor is implanted in the patient. The coupling element is coupled to a first coupling site of the second tissue anchor, thereby coupling the first tissue anchor to the second tissue anchor via the one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is increased between the first and the second tissue anchors by decoupling the coupling element from the first coupling site and coupling the coupling element to a second coupling site of the second tissue anchor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, (a) at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis, and (b) the area would partially overlap, at least 3 mm from the vertex, both rays of a second angle of between 45 and 180 degrees in the plane having the vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods for anchoring sutures are provided In general, a suture anchor can include a groove formed in an exterior surface thereof and configured to seat a suture at least partially therein. The suture can be configured to automatically become seated in the groove during the advancement of the anchor into bone, such as by being rotated therein using a driver tool. The suture and the groove can have cooperating sizes such that the suture seated in the groove extends radially outward therefrom to be partially located outside of the anchor. This external portion of the suture can be press fit between the anchor and the bone, thereby securing both the anchor and the suture to the bone. This securing can occur as part of driving the anchor into bone.

Abstract: A knotless suture fastener installation system for securing medical devices such as cardiac implants. The knotless suture fasteners may be spring-biased so as to grip onto sutures passed therethrough. The system includes a fastener deployment tool with a proximal handle and a distal shaft to which a fastener cartridge attaches. A plurality of disposable cartridges are sequentially attached to the end of the deployment tool and used to secure the medical implant one fastener at a time. The deployment tool may also cut the sutures being fastened.