Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a surgical step or surgical procedure with visual guidance using an optical head mounted display are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology that can be used to track devices with embedded EM sensors over time. If these objects move too fast, tracking signals are lost because of the motion induced potential differences. It is therefore proposed to add a processing mechanism incorporating additional processing algorithms to enable tracking of the EM sensors. An embodiment of the invention is for performing biopsies using a biopsy gun. The additional processing algorithms incorporate dedicated prior information on the expected signal obtained from the embedded EM sensor and are introduced to allow processing the signals from the moving sensors. The prior information can be incorporated in a heuristic or statistical model to process the EM signal.

Abstract: In another embodiment, a hip joint navigation jig is provided that includes an anatomical interface comprising a bone engagement portion. A registration jig is also provided that is coupled, e.g., removeably, with the anatomical interface. A rotatable member is provided for rotation about an axis that is not vertical when the jig is mounted to the bone adjacent to a hip joint and the registration jig is coupled with the anatomical interface. An anatomy engaging probe is coupled with the rotatable member for rotation about the axis and is translatable to enable the probe to be brought into contact with a plurality of anatomical landmarks during a procedure. An inertial sensor is coupled with the probe to indicate orientation related to the landmarks, the sensor being disposed in a different orientation relative to horizontal when the probe is in contact with the landmarks.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device and methods for safely and accurately placing screws into bones with a powered driving device. By employing multiple layers of fail-safe features and image-guidance systems, the powered driving device provides safe, accurate, and efficient screw placement. That is, the powered driving device may continuously monitor a screw advancement and placement and may automatically shutdown when improper placement is detected. Monitoring placement may be conducted by a microcurrent-monitoring system, by an image-guidance system, or by any other appropriate sensory system. Additionally, upon detecting that screw insertion is complete, the powered driving device may be automatically shutdown.

Abstract: A surgical shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, a distal shaft portion, and a control circuit. The proximal shaft portion includes a first sensor generating a first signal and a second sensor generating a second signal. The distal shaft portion includes a clutch assembly rotatable with the distal shaft portion about a longitudinal axis and relative to the proximal shaft portion. The clutch assembly is further rotatable relative to the distal shaft portion to transition the shaft assembly between two articulation states. The rotation of clutch assembly with the distal shaft portion changes the first signal, and the rotation of the clutch assembly relative to the distal shaft portion changes the second signal. The control circuit is configured to detect a change in the second signal occurring without a corresponding change in the first signal. The detected change indicates a transition between the two articulation states.

Abstract: A method for updating a patient registration during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical procedure uses an optical navigation system for optically tracking a patient reference object in a real world space and includes intra-operatively acquiring a first set of image data depicting a region of interest on the patient while the first registration is intact. The region of interest includes at least one anatomical landmark. The method includes: detecting that the first registration has been lost; obtaining a second set of image data depicting the region of interest; identifying a transform based on the first set of image data and the second set of image data; and applying the identified transform to data points of the first registration to obtain data points for the updated patient registration.

Abstract: A portable surgical robot includes a surgical device and a cart. The surgical device is coupled to the cart. The cart includes a chassis, a frame member, a pair of wheels, and a steering mechanism. The chassis defines a longitudinal axis that extends a length of the cart. The frame member is coupled to the chassis of the cart. The pair of wheels are pivotably coupled to the frame member. The steering mechanism is coupled to the pair of wheels. The steering mechanism is configured to facilitate selectively pivoting the pair of wheels to steer the cart in a plurality of steering modes. The plurality of steering modes include at least one of a fore-and-aft steering mode, a turn-on-axis steering mode, and a lateral steering mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical data processing method for determining control data for an automated movement of a robotic system (1) to move a tool operatively associated with the robotic system (1), wherein the method comprises executing, on at least one processor of at least one computer (4), steps of: a) acquiring (S1) image data describing an image of an anatomical structure of a patient; b) determining (S2) planned position data, based on the image data, describing at least one planned position of the tool relative to the anatomical structure of the patient; c) acquiring (S3) status change data describing the change of data a status of the robotic system (1) from a first status to a second status, wherein in the first status a manual movement of at least one part of the robotic system (1) is allowed and in the second status a manual movement of the at least one part of the robotic system is inhibited; d) acquiring (S4) actual position data describing the actual position of an element of the statue change data ro

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved robotic surgical systems, including robotic surgical devices having improved arm components and/or biometric sensors, contact detection systems for robotic surgical devices, gross positioning systems and devices for use in robotic surgical systems, and improved external controllers and consoles.

Abstract: A surgical robot includes a fixed frame and a moving frame, each having an open space in a center region and may be formed as a partially open ring. The robot also includes three leg structures connecting the fixed frame and the moving frame, and enabling the moving frame to move relative to the fixed frame. The robot also includes a stabilizer for holding an anatomical structure in the open space of each frame. Each leg structure may include a linear component coupled to the moving frame, a rotary component mounted to the fixed frame, and a connector connecting between the two. Each of the linear component and the rotary component may have a rotary actuator that can be controlled by a computer. The robot may be controllable by a computer to assist a reduction procedure of long bone fractures or pelvis surgery.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a robotic surgical assembly and a control assembly. The robotic surgical assembly includes a robotic actuation assembly, a processing device, and a first communication device. The robotic actuation assembly includes a robotic arm. The processing device is configured to instruct the robotic actuation assembly to perform a task based on a set of instructions. The first communication device is operable to transfer the set of instructions to the processing device. The control assembly includes a second communication device and a user input device. The second communication device is operable to communicate the set of instructions to the first communication device. The user input device assembly is configured to generate the set of instructions and send the set of instruction to the second communication device. At least a portion of the instructions are based on positioning of the user input device within three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Autonomous closed loop control of a flexible tendon-driven continuum manipulator having a sensor at a distal tip is performed by measuring spatial attributes of a sensor at the distal tip and estimating an orientation of a base of an articulating region of the flexible tendon-driven continuum manipulator from a kinematic model and the spatial attributes of the sensor. The manipulator control in a task space uses the estimated orientation, a desired trajectory in the task space, and the position of the sensor at the distal tip. The sensor at the distal tip may be a magnetic sensor, impedance sensor, or optical sensor.

Abstract: A medical manipulator having: a first rotatable body configured to be rotated about a rotation axis to exert a driving force transmitted by a wire to drive at least one of an elongated portion and an end effector; and a second rotatable body configured to be detachably coupled to the first rotatable body, wherein the second rotatable body is operatively connected to an actuator to be rotated by the actuator, wherein a shape of the first rotatable body corresponds to a shape of the second rotatable body such that as the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body are brought into contact with each other, a pressing force with which the first rotatable body is pressed against the second rotatable body is converted into a rotational force of the second rotatable body to rotate the second rotatable body into a predetermined alignment with the first rotatable body.

Abstract: A device for robot-assisted surgery, comprising at least one non-sterile manipulator arm (12) having a coupling unit (100) with drive elements. The device further has an instrument unit (300) which comprises a surgical instrument (500) and a sterile sterile unit (400) for coupling the surgical instrument (500) to the drive elements of the coupling unit (100). The coupling unit (100) comprises a translatory drive element (110, 112) for generating a translatory drive movement and a rotatory drive element (114, 116) for generating a rotatory drive movement. The sterile unit (400) has a translationally driven element (408, 410) couplable to the translatory drive element (110, 112) and a rotationally driven element (412, 414) couplable to the rotatory drive element (114, 116). The device has a sterile lock (200) which is capable of being coupled to the coupling unit (100) and to the sterile unit (400).

Abstract: A LUS robotic surgical system is trainable by a surgeon to automatically move a LUS probe in a desired fashion upon command so that the surgeon does not have to do so manually during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A sequence of 2D ultrasound image slices captured by the LUS probe according to stored instructions are processable into a 3D ultrasound computer model of an anatomic structure, which may be displayed as a 3D or 2D overlay to a camera view or in a PIP as selected by the surgeon or programmed to assist the surgeon in inspecting an anatomic structure for abnormalities. Virtual fixtures are definable so as to assist the surgeon in accurately guiding a tool to a target on the displayed ultrasound image.

Abstract: A hand-held electromechanical surgical device configured to selectively connect with a surgical accessory, is provided and includes a handle assembly having a power pack with a core assembly. The core assembly includes a plurality of motors, with each motor having a rotatable drive shaft extending therefrom, wherein each drive shaft is parallel to one another; a processor connected to and configured to control each motor; and a battery electrically connected to the processor and each motor. The power pack includes an inner housing encasing at least the plurality of motors, the processor, and the battery. The handle assembly includes an outer shell housing configured to selectively encase substantially the entire power pack therein, wherein a rotation from each rotatable drive shaft of each motor is transmitted through the inner housing and the outer shell housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an instrument body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a slip lock having an arrester. The transducer assembly is rotatably mounted along a longitudinal axis within the body such that the transducer assembly is configured to selectively rotate. The arrester is configured to move relative to the ultrasonic transducer assembly between an engaged position and a disengaged position and has a catch portion and a deflectable portion. The catch portion is configured to seize the transducer assembly and selectively inhibit rotation for rotatably coupling with the acoustic waveguide up to a predetermined torque. The deflectable portion is configured to deflect relative to the transducer assembly upon receiving a torque greater than the predetermined torque. Accordingly, the catch portion releases the transducer assembly to slip relative to the catch portion for limiting coupling of the transducer assembly with the acoustic waveguide to the predetermined torque.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthopedic measurement device. The orthopedic measurement device can comprise a tip section, a backend section, and a middle section. The tip section can have a distal end sized to fit into a hole drilled into a bone. The middle section can be located between the tip section and the backend section. The middle section can include a plurality of measurement features. Each of the plurality of measurement features can be a fixed distance from the distal end of the tip section. The middle section can be sized to fit into the hole drilled into the bone. The tip section, the backend section, and the middle section can define a cannula sized to receive a wire.

Abstract: The instrument for artificial knee joint replacement surgery includes a holding mechanism that includes a holding portion having a contact portion to be brought into contact with a contact target of a patient on whom artificial knee joint replacement surgery is to be performed and that holds the patient in a state in which the contact portion is in contact with the contact target, and an indicating mechanism that is attached to the holding mechanism and includes a position identification target indicating portion to be arranged at a position corresponding to a position identification target in a state in which the holding mechanism holds the patient. The position at which the position identification target indicating portion is to be arranged is determined based on a positional relationship between the contact target and the position identification target that is obtained in advance prior to surgery.

Abstract: A lighthead identification system for controlling lightheads of a surgical lighting system. The lighthead identification system includes illuminated indicator lights that visually indicate to an operator that an associated lighthead has been selected for adjusting parameter settings on a user interface.

Abstract: This present invention discloses an image guided augmented reality method, comprising the following steps of: obtaining a first conversion matrix of a camera and a marked point; obtaining a second conversion matrix of the eye and the camera; linking the first conversion matrix and the second conversion matrix to obtain a correct position corresponding matrix of the eye to the marked point; and linking the correct position corresponding matrix to a position feature of the marked point to obtain the correct position of the eye to the marked point. The present invention also discloses a surgical navigation method of wearable glasses, used for obtaining the correct position of the operator's eye to the marked point.

Abstract: A display device displays a first medical image to a user. Touchless sensor technology detects user actions. The touchless sensor technology includes at least one sensor that does not rely on physical touch to detect the user actions. An image processor that compares detected user actions with currently valid user action within a list of currently valid user actions for the first medical image to determine when a detected user action matches a currently valid user action from the currently valid user actions contained in the list. A medical image processing engine uses metadata identifying the first medical image and an action identifier for a currently valid user action that is matched by the detected user action to generate a second medical image based on the metadata and the action identifier. Thee display device displays the second medical image to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for an articulated arm based tool guide includes an elongated body having a guide hole, a first joint attached to a first end of the body, a second joint attached to a second end of the body opposite the first end, a first mounting arm coupled to the body using the first joint, and a second mounting arm coupled to the body using the second joint. The first mounting arm is configured to be attached to a first articulated arm of a computer-assisted medical device. The second mounting arm is configured to be attached to a second articulated arm of the computer-assisted medical device. The guide hole is adapted to receive a medical tool and maintain a working end of the medical tool in alignment with the guide. In some embodiments, the first mounting arm includes identifying information identifying the tool guide as a tool guide.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first intraoral scan data of an intraoral site, the first intraoral scan data having been generated at a first time, receiving second intraoral scan data of the intraoral site, the second intraoral scan data having been generated at a second time that is later than the first time, and analyzing the second intraoral scan data of the intraoral site relative to the first intraoral scan data of the intraoral site. The method further includes identifying an area of interest (AOI) based on the analyzing and removing data for the AOI from at least one of the first intraoral scan data, the second intraoral scan data, or a three-dimensional (3D) model of the intraoral site generated from the first intraoral scan data and the second intraoral scan data.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for quantifying the amount of pressure exerted on a tooth or a set of teeth by an aligner. The quantification may be facilitated by a sensor disposed in the aligner and the sensor may be configured to generate an output signal signifying the amount of pressure in response to receiving an input signal. The input signal may be generated by a detection instrument or a computing device. The amount of pressure may be stored in a treatment tracking software and/or treatment tracking database for review and consideration by a treatment professional. The treatment professional may thereafter make decisions about the orthodontic treatment based on quantified amount of pressure on the tooth or set of teeth.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.

Abstract: A system to transfer the location of at least one tilted dental implant to an impression material, the system includes an angulated component connectable to a tilted dental implant and a cap to snap onto the angulated component. The system provides a tilt, a location and a rotation of the tilted dental implant into the impression material.

Abstract: It is disclosed a dental implant (130; 230; 330) for promoting hone growth. The dental implant includes an elongated implant body having a coronal end portion (131; 231; 331) and an apical end portion (132; 232; 332), at least one external thread (140; 240; 340) and a flute arrangement having a depth. The flute arrangement has at least two helical flutes (150; 250; 350) that spiral in the general direction of said at least one external thread (140; 240; 340). The flutes (150; 250; 350) propagate with a greater lead than said at least one thread (140; 240 340). The flute arrangement is capable of scraping off and transferring bone debris in the coronal direction of the implant during insertion. It is also disclosed a method of using the dental implant and an implant system according to the present invention.

Abstract: A dental implant is described and includes a threaded coronal portion having a top hollow part with a cavity and an opening in a top portion of the hollow part, wherein the top hollow part is defined by sacrificial walls of the coronal portion, wherein a width of the cavity and the opening allows insertion of a cutting element of a dental saw into the cavity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis capable of properly arranging a dental reinforcement when a dental prosthesis made of resin where the dental reinforcement is arranged is manufactured. The method includes turning information on an intraoral shape into data: designing, in a form of data, a shape of a resin body that is a part formed of resin based on the data; designing, in the form of data, a position of a dental reinforcement that is to be arranged inside the resin body; and forming, in the form of data, a space and an opening that communicates with an outside in the position in the resin body where the dental reinforcement are to be arranged, based on the position, to design a resin body with an opening.

Abstract: A dental milling blank for the production of permanent indirect restorations in the CAD/CAM process, characterized in that it has a water sorption WSP of less than/equal to 18 ?g/mm3, measured according to ISO 4049 and an E modulus E greater than/equal to 13 GPa, measured according to the ADA specification No. 27 and a quotient Q of WSP/E of less than 1.35 ?g/(GPa×mm3) and consists of the polymerization product of a radically curable dental composition, which comprises a) inorganic fillers, wherein the total mass of the inorganic fillers is at least 83 wt. %, based on the total mass of the composition, b) radically polymerizable monomers, c) one or more initiators for radically curing.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis, typically formed in a press to metal process, includes application of a porcelain composition sufficient to form a veneer on a dental prosthesis supporting metal structure, the composition having an integrated tooth-like translucency providing an aesthetic appearance. The composition is formed of a dentin frit and an enamel frit, typically sintered into a desired ingot shape including an amount of composition sufficient to veneer the prosthesis. The porcelain composition is a component of a kit that includes opaquers, other porcelains and stains useful in finishing to provide an aesthetic prosthesis.

Abstract: A dental device is disclosed for applying medicine to a patient's teeth. The device includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end. The handle has a handle lumen extending from the distal end towards the proximal end. The handle also has a suction exit port that is fluidly connected to the handle lumen. A fork is connected to the handle at the distal end. The fork includes a fork base with at least two prongs, wherein each prong has a suction port that is fluidly connected to the handle lumen through a prong lumen. Floss is strung across the two prongs.

Abstract: The replaceable brushhead, used for a power toothbrush, includes a neck portion (22) having a hollow part located at a proximal end thereof. The brushhead assembly includes a bristle portion (18) at a distal end of the neck portion. A connecting assembly (20) is positioned within the hollow portion of the neck, the connecting assembly having two distinct, mechanically stable, positions. In the first position, the connecting assembly has a first physical arrangement in which the brushhead assembly is conveniently removable or insertable onto an output shaft (16) from a handle portion of the power toothbrush. In the second position, the connecting assembly has a second physical arrangement, in which a portion of the connecting assembly makes physical contact with the output shaft such that the force or torque produced by the output shaft in operation is transferred to the brushhead assembly for movement thereof.

Abstract: An oral care implement including a handle and a replacement head that is detachably coupled to the handle. The replacement head may include a head portion and a sleeve portion. The head portion may have a front surface with tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom. The sleeve portion may have a cavity configured to receive a stem of the handle and a proximal edge defining an opening into the cavity. Furthermore, the sleeve portion may be formed from a first component formed of a rigid material and a second component formed of a resilient material. The first component of the sleeve portion may include a locking element that is configured to mate with a locking feature of the stem to couple the replacement head to the handle. A portion of the second component may cover the locking element so that no portion of the locking element is exposed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a plurality of rows of bristle tufts that project through a perforated top shell of a hollow toothbrush head. Ends of individual bristles are held in buckets to form the tufts and the bristle ends opposite the bucketed ends are free (where the opposite ends contact the toothbrush user's teeth). The bucketed ends of the bristle tufts are captured within the internal space within the head but are not fixedly attached to any other toothbrush component or structure. This non-fixed attachment feature enables the bristle tufts to have multiple degrees of freedom (DoF) of motion with respect to the perforations in the top shell and can rotate, move axially, and tilt.

Abstract: A power toothbrush apparatus may include a body having a cavity and an opening leading to the cavity. An electric motor may be situated within the cavity and may include first and second biasing members; a stator casing situated between, and linearly biased by, the first and second biasing members, the stator casing may further include at least one opening and at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; and a rotor which may have opposed ends and which may extend through the at least one opening of the stator casing, the rotor may further include an output shaft. The power toothbrush may further include a workpiece having a brush head coupled thereto and which may be coupled to one of the opposed ends of the output shaft.

Abstract: An oral care implement including a handle and a replacement head that is detachably coupled to the handle. The handle may include a gripping portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a stem extending from the distal end of the gripping portion. The stem may have an inner cavity. A vibratory element including a motor and an eccentric may be partially located in the stem. The eccentric may have a first end that is operably coupled to the motor and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having an aperture therein. A guide pin may be fixed to the stem such that a first portion of the guide pin protrudes into the inner cavity of the stem. The first portion of the guide pin may extend through the aperture in the second end of the eccentric.

Abstract: A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

Abstract: A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

Abstract: A hernia patch supporting tissue in-growth conforms to a tissue wall upon surgical installation and fixation within a patient. The hernia patch can include a base and positioning straps. The base is formed of two layers that are affixed to each other around the perimeter of the patch, for example by stitching. A stabilizing washer is provided between the two layers, and the stitch is provided peripherally around the stabilizing washer, keeping the washer free-floating between the layers. The base, positioning straps, and stabilizing washer are formed of a structure that does not separate the layers of the implant or form a space in the form of a pocket, and promotes more uniform and confluent tissue incorporation or in-growth after implantation. The hernia patch may further include a hydrolysable bioabsorbable cross-linked coating of a fatty acid based material, such as an omega-3 fatty acid based material.

Abstract: A reinforcement device [10] comprises a biocompatible material such as a mesh sheet [12] for closing and reinforcing the closure of a surgical incision, including an elongated abdominal incision. The biocompatible material may provide one or more of a column of hooks [16a, 16b] or a column of apertures [31a, 31b] or markings [51a, 51b] to indicate where puncturing/suturing is to occur and/or where the device [10] is to be positioned. A disclosed ratio of suture [22] length to incision length is 4:1. The reinforcement device [10], when implanted through surgery, may reduce the likelihood of and/or prevent incisional hernias. The reinforcement device [10] may be included in a surgical kit.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide stent-grafts. In one embodiment, a stent has proximal and distal ends, a plurality of strut segments disposed between the proximal and distal ends that enable expansion of the stent from a compressed state to a deployed state, and a series of distal apices disposed at the distal end of the stent. At least a portion of a first distal apex overlaps with graft material. First and second sutures are each coupled between a portion of the first distal apex and the graft material. The first and second sutures are positioned at different longitudinal zones that lack an axial overlap with one another.

Abstract: A vascular graft that includes a biodegradable polyester electrospun tubular core; a biodegradable polyester outer sheath surrounding the biodegradable polyester tubular core; and a biodegradable poly(lactide) copolymer adhesive composition (i) disposed between the polyester electrospun tubular core and the polyester outer sheath, (ii) disposed between the polyester electrospun tubular core and the polyester outer sheath and on an outer surface of the of the polyester outer sheath, (iii) or disposed on an outer surface of the polyester outer sheath.

Abstract: A braid implant delivery and retraction device having a catheter, an expandable element and a delivery wire with distal, pusher, and recapture bumps. The expandable element having compressed, partially delivered, and implanted configurations. Delivering the braid can include engaging the distal bump till the braid is in the partially delivered configuration. If the user needs to recapture the braid, the recapture bump engages the braid proximally. To fully implant the braid, the distal bump is used until the braid is partially delivered and the distal bump disengages, now the pusher bump completes implanting by proximally pushing the braid completely out of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods for whip-stitching soft tissue with a needle and a looped suture avoid placing the tissue graft through the suture loop, which also eliminates the need for passing a tissue clamp through the suture loop. The methods described herein can also include combinations of the techniques described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor. The anchor includes a suture bridge having a proximal end and distal end. The distal end of the suture bridge has a thickness greater than a thickness of the proximal end of the suture bridge. At least two ribs extend from the proximal end of the suture bridge to a proximal end of the anchor. At least one open helical coil wraps around the at least two ribs and extends, substantially, from the proximal end of the suture bridge to the proximal end of the anchor. The at least one open helical coil defines an internal volume communicating with a region exterior to the anchor through apertures between turns of the at least one open helical coil. The at least two ribs are engagable with a grooved shaft of a driver.

Abstract: Procedural methods are provided that are capable of forming a protuberant region, in which the surface of a living body protrudes, in a less-invasive manner and a medical device capable of forming the protuberant region in a less-invasive manner. A procedural method for forming a protuberant region, in which a surface of a living body protrudes, includes an introduction step of introducing a container having flexibility into the living body, a protuberant region forming step of forming the protuberant region, in which the surface of the living body protrudes, by filling the container with a filling material to expand the container, and a placement step of placing the expanded container in the living body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is cured in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted.

Abstract: A prosthetic capsular device configured to be inserted in an eye after removal of a lens, in some embodiments, can comprise a housing structure comprising capable of containing one or more intraocular devices. The housing structure can comprise an anterior portion comprising an anterior opening, a posterior portion comprising a posterior opening, and a continuous lateral portion between the anterior portion and the posterior portion.