Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus comprises processing circuitry configured to: obtain a three-dimensional (3D) image that is representative of an anatomical region of a subject; acquire a stream of two-dimensional images that are representative of the anatomical region of the subject; set a first rendering direction by performing a 2D/3D registration procedure in respect of the 3D image and a 2D image of the stream of 2D images; generate a first rendered image from the 3D image based on the first rendering direction; and for each of a plurality of subsequent 2D images of the stream of 2D images, determine whether a condition is satisfied, the condition being dependent on at least one of a 2D misalignment and a time since last 2D/3D registration procedure; when the registration condition is satisfied, select one of the subsequent 2D images; reset the rendering direction to obtain a second rendering direction by performing a 2D/3D registration procedure in respect of the 3D image and the selected 2D image;

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate shaft and a position sensor. The elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The elongate shaft includes a distal end, an opening, and a lumen. The position sensor is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis. The first position sensor is fixedly secured relative to the elongate shaft at a known distance from the opening. The first position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a position of the elongate shaft in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A system (11) includes a medical probe (36) for insertion into a cavity of an organ, which includes a position and direction sensor (60) and a camera (45), both operating in a sensor coordinate system (62). The system further includes a processor (44) configured to: receive, from an imaging system (21) operating in an image coordinate system (28), a three-dimensional image of the cavity including open space and tissue; receive, from the medical probe, signals indicating positions and respective directions of the medical probe inside the cavity; receive, from the camera, respective visualized locations inside the cavity; register the image coordinate system with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the image at the visualized locations, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received image that do not correspond to the open space, to update the density values of the identified voxels to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed comprising a robotic device, an instrument attachable to the robotic device to treat tissue, a vision device attached to the robotic device or instrument, and one or more controllers. The vision device generates vision data sets captured from multiple perspectives of the physical object enabled by the vision device moving in a plurality of degrees of freedom during movement of the robotic device. The controller(s) have at least one processor and are in communication with the vision device. The controller(s) associate a virtual object with the physical object based on one or more features of the physical object identifiable in the vision data sets. The virtual object at least partially defines a virtual boundary defining a constraint on movement of the robotic device relative to the physical object. In some cases, movement of the robotic device is actively constrained by using the virtual boundary.

Abstract: A method and system are for acquiring a dataset created via an imaging modality, the dataset describing a 3D-shape of a 3D-object; adapting, in dependence on the 3D-shape of the 3D-object, a flat 2D-grid of intersecting grid lines to follow a surface curvature of the 3D-object to create an adapted grid, a distance between two neighbouring intersections, along the grid lines of the adapted grid following the surface curvature of the 3D-object, being equal to a respective corresponding distance between a respective two neighbouring intersections of the flat 2D-grid before the adapting; and outputting the adapted grid for display over at least one of the 3D-object and a virtual model of the 3D-object.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an automated probe system includes a probe configured to be reversibly inserted into a live body part, a robotic arm attached to the probe and configured to manipulate the probe, a first sensor configured to track movement of the probe during an insertion and a reinsertion of the probe in the live body part, a second sensor configured to track movement of the live body part, and a controller configured to calculate an insertion path of the probe in the live body part based on the tracked movement of the probe during the insertion, and calculate a reinsertion path of the probe based on the calculated insertion path while compensating for the tracked movement of the live body part, and send control commands to the robotic arm to reinsert the probe in the live body part according to the calculated reinsertion path.

Abstract: A medical manipulator according to one or more embodiments may include: a first manipulator arm with multi-degree of freedom that holds a medical tool at a distal end portion thereof; a second manipulator arm with multi-degree of freedom that holds a medical tool at a distal end portion thereof; an arm base that holds base end portions of the first and second manipulator arms; a movement mechanism configured to move the base end portion of the first manipulator arm with respect to the arm base to change a distance between the base end portion of the first manipulator arm and the base end portion of the second manipulator arm; and a positioner configured to move the arm base and position the arm base in place.

Abstract: A method for remotely supporting a surgery assistant robot may include: receiving at least one piece of operation information concerning an operation of the surgery assistant robot, by a server device that performs a remote support for the surgery assistant robot; and transmitting, in response to a predetermined event, at least one of a sound, an image, or a text from the server device to at least one of the surgery assistant robot or a terminal device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. In one embodiment, a minimally invasive surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, and a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end; and an end effector. A wrist member has a flexible tube including an axis extending through an interior surrounded by a wall. The wall of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lumens oriented generally parallel to the axis of the flexible tube. The wrist member has a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector.

Abstract: A medical robotic assembly configured to support, insert, retract, and actuate a surgical instrument. The medical robotic assembly includes a surgical instrument carriage configured for detachably mounting a surgical instrument to the surgical instrument carriage. The surgical instrument carriage includes a motor housing, a first output assembly in the motor housing, a second output assembly in the motor housing, a first sensor assembly configured to sense a rotational orientation of a first output drive coupling, and a second sensor assembly configured to sense a rotational orientation of a second output drive coupling.

Abstract: Provided is a robotic system that includes a surgical instrument with a wrist including an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a wrist extending from the distal end of the elongate shaft, and an end effector extending from the wrist. The end effector may include a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaw being moveable between an open position in which ends of the jaws are separated from each other, and a closed position in which the ends of the jaws are closer to each other as compared to the open position. The surgical instrument may also include at least one rotary cutter extending from the wrist and positioned at least partially within a recess formed in a face of the first jaw.

Abstract: A patient-side apparatus of a surgical system according to an embodiment may include: manipulator arms with multi-degree of freedom, each of which includes a distal end portion provided with a tool holding part configured to hold an elongated surgical tool; an arm base to which base end portions of the manipulator arms are attached; a base; and a positioner that includes links and joints to connect the base and the arm base such that the positioner movably holds the arm base. The links include a first link that is connected to a central portion of the arm base in a longitudinal direction of the arm base with a first roll joint arranged between the first link and the arm base. The positioner holds the arm base such that a first rotation axis of the first roll joint is inclined with respect to both a vertical direction and a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A cannula sterile adaptor for a surgical system includes a first portion comprising a rigid material and a second portion comprising a compliant material. one of the first portion and the second portion comprises a depression arranged to receive a clamping arm of a cannula mount of the surgical system.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system comprising: a surgical robot; a user interface console coupled to the surgical robot whereby a user can control motion of the surgical robot; a data logger for logging data from a surgical procedure performed by means of the robot; and a portable user terminal; the system further comprising: a display controllable by one of the data logger and the user terminal, that one of the data logger and the user terminal being configured for displaying a machine-readable code whereby the data logger or a user of the user terminal can be identified; and a camera coupled to the other of the data logger and the user terminal; the said other of the data logger and the user terminal being configured to, on receiving from the camera an image of a machine-readable code, decode that code to identify the data logger or a user of the user terminal and to cause the identified entity to be logged in association with a procedure performed by means of the robot.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: A medical instrument system may comprise a control system and an operator input device coupled to a medical instrument through the control system. The control system may comprise a processor and a memory comprising machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to determine a distance between a distal tip of the medical instrument and an identified anatomical area and determine a motion scaling parameter based on the distance. The control system may also receive an input instruction from the operator input device and map the input instruction to an output instruction for the medical instrument. The motion scaling parameter may be applied to the input instruction to create the output instruction. The control system may also instruct an actuator to move the medical instrument based on the output instruction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a protective barrier for a surgical table containing a sterile field that may be used in a surgical facility to assist in maintaining the sterility of the sterile field. The sterile field may hold surgical instruments or equipment. The protective barrier may be efficiently stored, easily assembled by simply folding along various guides on the barrier, and enclosed one or three sides of the sterile field.

Abstract: A packaging system utilizing a thin, planar sheet of material that is folded to have a base and at least three sidewalls. At least one mounting feature is integrated into at least one sidewall to secure at least one medical device component, wherein the at least one medical device component is mountable onto the at least one sidewall.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a novel medical device for osteotomy, capable of simultaneous aspiration, cauterization, image-acquisition, irrigation and tissue-protection, adapted for ear, nose and throat procedures, but available for other cavity surgeries.

Abstract: Medical software tools platforms utilize a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist surgeons or surgical team in performing various procedures. In particular, an endoscopic camera may register the momentary rise in the optical signature reflected from a tissue surface and in turn transmit it to a medical image processing system which can also receive patient heart rate data and display relevant anomalies. Changes in various spectral components and the speed at which they change in relation to a source of stimulus (heartbeat, breathing, light source modulation, etc.) may indicate the arrival of blood, contrast agents or oxygen absorption. Combinations of these may indicate various states of differing disease or margins of tumors, and so forth. Also, changes in temperatures, physical dimensions, pressures, photoacoustic pressures and the rate of change may indicate tissue anomalies in comparison to historic values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual reality or augmented reality (VR/AR) visualization of 3D medical images using a VR/AR visualization system are disclosed that includes a computing device operatively coupled to a VR/AR device, which includes a holographic display and at least one sensor. The holographic display is configured to display a holographic image to an operator. The computing device is configured to receive at least one stored 3D image of a subject's anatomy and at least one real-time 3D position of at least one surgical instrument, to register the at least one real-time 3D position of the at least one surgical instrument to correspond to the at least one 3D image of the subject's anatomy, and to generate the holographic image comprising the at least one real-time position of the at least one surgical instrument overlaid on the at least one 3D image of the subject's anatomy.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing a medical device uses a medical device processor with an enclosure for holding the medical device. The enclosure also has a reservoir containing a disinfectant, a water source, and a mixing chamber that retains the medical device. The method delivers disinfectant from the reservoir to an internal channel of the medical device, and further delivers water from the water source to the mixing chamber. A flow sensor is operable to monitor the disinfectant delivered to the internal channels of the medical device.

Abstract: A surgical device including a tubular handle and a tissue removal member for removing target tissue, for example, granulation tissue, is provided. The tissue removal member extends from a distal end or from both a proximal end and the distal end of the tubular handle. The tissue removal member includes a shank, an arcuate section, a shaft of a configurable length for reaching a surgical site, and a loop receptacle. The loop receptacle extended from a distal end of the shaft. has an annular section defining an opening and a closed bottom end. The annular section includes a circular cutting edge for contacting and drawing away target tissue from the surgical site. The opening of the loop receptacle receives and holds the target tissue drawn away from the surgical site, thereby precluding the target tissue from being displaced during a removal of the target tissue.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace provided by the present invention can be removably set on a user's dental arch, correcting the dental arch from an original contour to an objective contour. The orthodontic brace includes a plurality of elastic arms that contact with a lingual side or a buccal side of the dental arch, and a corrective contour is constructed by the mutual connection of the elastic arms. The corrective contour fits in at least partial objective contour. At least one elastic arm will be compressed or expanded against by the dental arch, further generating elastic force acting on the dental arch. Wherein, the heights of the elastic arms are not over that of an occlusal surface of the dental arch to prevent saliva from being gathered in the orthodontic brace, which solves other past problems derived from the thickness of the braces at the occlusal surface.

Abstract: A universal attachment device configured to be secured to a tooth for engagement with a removable dental positioning appliance including a base including a lateral surface including a plurality of faces for effecting a plurality of repositioning forces on a tooth, wherein when the device is engaged with the appliance and when the base is secured to the tooth, one of the repositioning forces is effected upon the tooth and at least one of the other repositioning forces are not effected upon the tooth. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a brace for using with a corrective dental arch and an occlusal dental arch. The brace comprises a plurality of elastic arms, extensive portions and corrective portions. Each of the elastic arms is in contact with an inner side or an outer side of the corrective dental arch, and does not exceed a lowest occlusal surface of the corrective dental arch. The corrective portions are connected with the elastic arms via the extensive portions, and are in contact with a highest occlusal surface of the corrective dental arch so that the corrective portions exceed the highest occlusal surface. In addition, the corrective portions have a corrective plane that can occlude with the occlusal dental arch to generate an occlusal force substantially perpendicular to the highest occlusal surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthodontic appliance for a patient including a support of which at least one outer surface is shaped to conform to the shape of the patient's palate when the support is placed against the palate, and a peripheral rim of said support intended to be arranged at least facing a palatal face of the upper dental arch when the support is placed against the palate. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of repositioning teeth, using one or more appliances for installing on a patient's teeth are described. The appliance includes an arch shaped member; a plurality of spring members coupled to or provided on the arch shaped member; and a plurality of securing members for securing to a corresponding plurality of the patient's teeth on a one-to-one basis, the securing members being supported by the arch shaped member. The arch shaped member and the plurality of springs, together, comprise a two dimensional structure having a length dimension and a width dimension with varying widths along the length dimension, that is bent into a three dimensional structure.

Abstract: According to one example, a medical tray for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The medical tray can optionally comprise: a housing; and one or more tray inserts configured to be received within the housing and having a first major surface and one or more support. The one or more tray inserts are configured to receive a plurality of dental surgical instruments via a plurality of receptacles formed therein. The plurality of receptacles having corresponding openings in the first major surface. The one or more tray inserts configured to be at least one of: removable from the housing and configured with the one or more supports so as to be positionable exterior to and independent of the housing, or the plurality of receptacles are angled such that the dental surgical instruments when received therein are positioned at an acute angle relative to the first major surface.

Abstract: A system of components for comfortably, easily, and precisely installing a complete dental implant, including the crown, and a method of installing the complete dental implant, including the crown, is disclosed. The components comprise a dental implant, an impression transfer, a lab analog, and an abutment to which the crown is to be permanently installed.

Abstract: A temporary alignment system and method for holding a dental coping to an implant abutment using the same threads in the abutment that are used for definitive attachment are disclosed. The disclosed temporary fasteners initially orient and hold a coping against an abutment with a force along the same axis as the semi-definitive screw. The aligned coping can be picked-up in a closed-tray impression process without unscrewing the temporary fastener. Embodiments include threaded posts that release copings from the abutment through axial forces. Some embodiments include a threaded post with separable cap that is picked-up with the coping. Methods for converting an existing prosthesis for screw attachment to implants in a single visit and digital capture of the converted prosthesis are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining if a 3D tooth model requires trimming or removal of incomplete or missing data (e.g., gingiva covering a portion of a tooth such as a molar). A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. Raw dental features, principal component analysis (PCA) features, and/or other features may be extracted and compared to those of other teeth, such as those obtained through automated machine learning systems. A classifier can identify and/or output probability that the 3D tooth model requires trimming. Trimming of the 3D tooth model can be implemented without human intervention.

Abstract: Method for producing an artificial gingiva The invention relates to a method for producing an artificial gingiva (1), in which a 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1) is already provided. A gingiva template (4) representing at least partial areas (5) of the 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1) is constructed as a negative mold using the 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for tooth stain removal is presented. The invention comprises a powered device with a chisel tip at its distal end, a body at its proximal end and an electric motor housed within the body for driving the chisel tip. The chisel tip has a proximal end removably coupled to the body and an exposed distal end along a generally longitudinal axis. The chisel tip comprises a pointed end on a first side for cleaning area between teeth and a broad cleaning surface on a second side for cleaning the main surface of each tooth. The chisel tip operates in a reciprocating motion driven by the electric motor. The reciprocating motion repeatedly moves the chisel tip in a back and forth direction by a finite displacement along the chisel tip's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic control type electric toothbrush, comprising a toothbrush head (20) and a toothbrush handle (10) connected by means of a driving shaft (12), wherein the toothbrush handle (10) is provided with a gesture sensor, a control module and a driving mechanism; and the control module can control the driving mechanism to drive the driving shaft (12), and same also drives the toothbrush head (20) to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise according to gesture data acquired from the gesture sensor, so that the toothbrush head (20) rotates in the direction from teeth root to dental crown. The automatic control type electric toothbrush can realize the purpose of automatically brushing teeth along the teeth, and can protect the gingivae, thus achieving automated treatment without manual control by a user, and therefore improving user experience.

Abstract: A brush head (32) including: a supporting portion (42) of a brush neck (40); a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), wherein each of the plurality of bristle tufts comprises a proximal end head portion (26) melted into a first shape within a mold; and an elastomeric matrix (30) comprising at least a portion of the hard brush neck and the proximal end head portions, wherein the first shape of the proximal end head portion is configured to engage the elastomeric matrix such that the bristle tufts are retained within the elastomeric matrix.

Abstract: According to one example, an instrument retaining element for a dental tray for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The retaining element can have a first portion defining a plurality of receptacles therein. The plurality of receptacles configured to receive a first shank section of a plurality of surgical instruments. The first portion defines a first part of a channel that communicates with two or more of the plurality of receptacles. The retaining element can have a second portion connected to the first portion and having a U-shape in cross-section. The second portion defines a second part of the channel that communicates with the first part of the channel and the plurality of receptacles. The second part of the channel can be configured to elastically expand to receive and retain a second shank section of the plurality of surgical instruments.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a degradable medical implant (10) for regeneration of soft tissue, comprising a plurality of scaffolds (1), and a plurality of connecting elements (2), wherein each scaffold (1) has a surface projected in the x-y plane, of maximum 500 mm2, and wherein the connecting elements (2) bind the scaffolds (1) together in the x-y plane.

Abstract: A vascular filter system for deploying a vascular filter utilizes a plurality of tensors that extend radially outward from a deployment sheath. The ends of the tensors are coupled with an attachment ring of the vascular filter and a plurality of attachment barbs are coupled with the attachment ring for securing the filter to the vessel wall. A method for retrieving the vascular filter from the vessel utilizes a reverse curve catheter, a guidewire that extends therethrough and an intravascular snare. The guidewire is advanced around the filter and into the snare which secures the guidewire around the filter for retrieval. A vessel distention device utilizes one or more distention tensors having a distention feature on the extended end, such as a blunt tip, to press on the inside vessel wall. The distention tensors extend out radially from a sheath to press on the vessel wall.

Abstract: Embolic material capture catheters and related devices and methods constrain a distal end portion of an embolic material capture element in an insertion configuration. A method of deploying an embolic material capture element in a blood vessel includes constraining a distal end portion of the embolic material capture element in an insertion configuration via engagement with a dilator assembly. The embolic material capture element, in the insertion configuration, is advanced through the blood vessel. A deployment cap of the dilator assembly is distally advanced relative to a dilator sheath of the dilator assembly to release the distal end portion of the embolic material capture element from engagement with the dilator assembly to reconfigure the embolic material capture element from the insertion configuration to a fully deployed configuration via self-expansion of the embolic material capture element.

Abstract: A pancreatic stent includes a main body convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the main body including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface. A plurality of drainage features are formed within the outer surface of the main body, the plurality of drainage features permitting placement of the pancreatic stent within a patient's pancreas without blocking side branches of the pancreas.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (10, 110, 210, 310) is provided that includes elastic struts (20) and a fluid flow guide (30) that is fixed to first and second subsets (32, 34) of the struts (20). The struts (20) of the first subset (32) are arranged as circumferential cells (80) in circumferentially-continuous rings (56), which cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define a bulge (42) having a greatest bulge radius from a central longitudinal axis (38) that is at least 5% greater than an average radius of the substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40) proximally and distally adjacent the bulge (42). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) define tip portions (50).

Abstract: A graft is prepared for attachment to an acromion. Two sutures are attached to corners of the graft. The two sutures are loaded into an introducer instrument, and the introducer instrument spreads the graft open. The graft is then positioned under the acromion. Strands of like sutures are tied on a medial side of the acromion to attach the graft to the acromion. The sutures are trimmed after knotting, securing the graft to the acromion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anchor system for musculoskeletal applications, e.g., for anchoring tendons or ligaments to bone or anchoring two or more bone sections. The anchor system comprises a substantially solid pre-manufactured distal portion (i.e., anchor component) and a settable, biodegradable composite. The biodegradable composite is flowable at the time of delivery and is introduced into the fixation site before or after the anchor component. Both the anchor component and the biodegradable composite may be manufactured from citrate-based polymers.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves are provided with a leaflet assembly having at least one leaflet attached to a supporting element, which leaflet has a free margin that can move between a first position wherein the free margin is flexed away from a closure surface to allow body fluid to flow through the valve, and a second position wherein the free margin abuts the closure surface to close the valve, and wherein the leaflet, without pulsatile load on the valve, can form a coaptation height H of more than 0.1 mm along the length of the free margin. Such prosthetic valve provides good performance during prolonged time, and can be made using various materials for the leaflets.

Abstract: Embodiments of a radially collapsible and expandable prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. A valve frame can have a tapered profile when mounted on a delivery shaft, with an inflow end portion having a smaller diameter than an outflow end portion. The valve can comprise generally V-shaped leaflets, reducing material within the inflow end of the frame. An outer skirt can be secured to the outside of the inflow end portion of the frame, the outer skirt having longitudinal slack when the valve is expanded and lying flat against the frame when the valve is collapsed. A diagonally woven inner skirt can elongate axially with the frame. Side tabs of adjacent leaflets can extend through and be secured to window frame portions of the frame to form commissures. The window frame portions can be depressed radially inward relative to surrounding frame portions when the valve is crimped onto a delivery shaft.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a diseased native valve in a patient, the system comprising a compressible and expandable frame structure and an anchor. The anchor comprises a wire having a free end and is configured to be fully advanced from an atrial side of a native valve in a patient into a ventricle of the heart and anchor the frame structure to the native valve when the frame structure is in the expanded configuration adjacent the native valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering medical implants has an expandable introducer sheath which can locally expand and lengthen to accommodate passage of a delivery catheter and implant, such as a prosthetic heart valve secured to a balloon catheter. The expandable sheath may be configured so that the local expansion is proportional to the local surface lengthening.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart valve involves delivering a catheter into a ventricle of a heart, advancing a coil from the catheter, rotating the coil at least partially around a papillary muscle of the ventricle, embedding a distal end of the coil in tissue of the ventricle, and manipulating a suture coupled to the coil to adjust a position of the papillary muscle.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart valve involves introducing a delivery catheter into a target ventricle of a heart, the delivery catheter having a coil device disposed at least partially therein, deploying a distal end of the coil device from the delivery catheter, navigating the distal end of the coil device behind a plurality of trabeculae carneae features associated with an inner wall of the ventricle to form one or more coils, and tightening the one or more coils to reduce a diameter of the target ventricle.