Abstract: Surgical navigation trackers with guards are described that can aid in protecting tracking elements from accumulating liquids thereon, which can negatively impact surgical navigation performance. The surgical navigation trackers described herein can be utilized with a variety of systems and procedures. For example, in one embodiment a system is described that includes a surgical device having an end effector configured for manipulating tissue and a surgical navigation tracker configured to be coupled to any of a surgical instrument and an anatomical structure. The surgical navigation tracker can include a tracking element and a guard configured to be positioned between the tracking element and the cutting tool, as well as a tracking unit configured to determine a position of the surgical navigation tracker.

Abstract: An impedance location of an electrode in an impedance based coordinate system and a magnetic location of a magnetic position sensor in a magnetic based coordinate system can be received. A transformed impedance location of the magnetic position sensor can be computed. A difference between the transformed impedance location of the magnetic position sensor and the magnetic location of the magnetic position sensor can be determined. A magnitude of the difference between the impedance location of the magnetic position sensor and the magnetic location of the magnetic position sensor can be computed. A statistical significance of the difference between the transformed impedance location of the magnetic position sensor and the magnetic location of the magnetic position sensor can be computed. A determination can be made that an impedance shift exists if the magnitude of the difference exceeds a threshold and a statistical significance of the difference exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method for robotic active surgery, comprising the steps of, (a) get an image of a surgical site, (b) select in said image an object to track, and (d) accompanying a movement of said object with at least one active robotic instrument is provided. A method for a robotic active surgery, including the steps of, selecting on a screen at least one point in a surgical site image, choosing in a system database the best technique to perform said procedure, and using an active robotic instrument to perform said procedure is provided. A method further including selectively switching the operating mode of said active robotic instrument between an active mode and a passive mode is provided.

Abstract: A surgery supporting apparatus is capable of controlling a posture of a first surgical instrument that is inserted into a body cavity and mechanically drivable, by using a second surgical instrument to be inserted into the body cavity. The apparatus comprises a robot arm configured to control the posture of the first surgical instrument attached to the robot arm. Instructions stored in a memory cause the apparatus to function as a control unit configured to control the motion of the robot arm such that the posture of the first surgical instrument is controlled in accordance with the posture of the second surgical instrument, in a case of a first mode, and controls the motion of the robot arm in accordance with a manipulation including contact to the robot arm, in a case of a second mode.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during surgery, particularly spinal surgery, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Several minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgeries were conceived, percutaneous technique being one of them. This procedures looks to establish a skin opening as small as possible by accessing inner organs via needle-puncture of the skin. The percutaneous technique is used in conjunction with a robotic surgical system to further enhance advantages of manual percutaneous techniques by improving precision, usability and/or shortening surgery time by removal of redundant steps.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical robot and a guide tube. The surgical robot includes a robot arm and a controller. The controller is configured to establish a software-based remote center of motion of a surgical instrument attached to the robot arm based on a location of a surgical portal in a patient through which the surgical instrument is inserted. The guide tube having a trailing end supported by the robot arm of the surgical robot, a leading end inserted in the surgical portal and maintaining alignment between the robotic arm and the surgical portal during a surgical instrument exchange, and an elongated tubular body through which an elongated shaft of the surgical instrument is inserted or removed during the surgical instrument exchange.

Abstract: Provided are surgical instruments, and more particularly, surgical instruments that may be manually operated to perform laparoscopic operations or various surgical operations.

Abstract: A gimbal for a robotic surgical system includes a support link, an input link, and a vibration assembly. The input link extends from the support link and the vibration assembly is mounted to the support link. The vibration assembly includes a central support, an end cap, and a voice coil. The end cap is moveable relative to the central support. The voice coil has an inner member that is fixed to the central support and an outer member that is fixed to the end cap. The voice coil is configured to vibrate the gimbal in response to a voltage being applied to one of the inner or outer members.

Abstract: The current invention concerns an improved surgical drape, a method for deploying said surgical drape over a patient, a method for folding up said surgical drape for use, and a use of the surgical drape during surgery.

Abstract: A medical cart having a chassis with a plurality of wheels attached thereto; a plurality of drawers supported on the chassis; a temperature-regulated compartment in the chassis; a locking bar pivotally attached to the chassis; a headwall mount attached to the chassis; a display mounted on the chassis; and a positionable task light attached to the chassis. Each drawer includes a drawer lock shiftable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking bar is shiftable between a locked position and an unlocked position so that the locking bar serves as a secondary safety lock for all the drawers and the door of the temperature-regulated compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a sealed pack which pack comprises a container and a lid wherein the container has an internal tamper-evident seal and the lid has an external tamper-evident seal; wherein the internal seal is arranged between the container and the lid; and wherein the lid is formed from a resilient material such that it protects the container. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pack of surgical instruments for use in a pre-determined surgical intervention which pack comprises one or more sterilised surgical instruments suitable for use in the pre-determined surgical intervention and a tray for receiving the one or more sterilised surgical instruments wherein the pack is sealed by at least two seals.

Abstract: An apparatus for surgical lighting is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light emitting element formed with a light source encapsulated within an outer layer. The outer layer includes a biocompatible material. A power supply is coupled to the light source. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that controls power from the power supply to the light source to emit light along a surgical area. The light emitting element provides enhanced illumination and other surgical advantages.

Abstract: A cordless, battery powered lighting device is disclosed which is configured to be removably installed on a distal end portion of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, and once the lighting device is installed on the distal end portion of the instrument, light automatically projects from the lighting device along the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method of guiding a surgical instrument during sinus surgery on a patient including receiving pre-operative patient data marked with a plurality of points defining a drainage pathway and determining a position of the surgical instrument relative to the planned drainage pathway. The method may further comprise generating an augmented reality image including a first visualization element representing the drainage pathway and a second visualization element comprising a plurality of circles spaced along the planned drainage pathway, and displaying the augmented reality image to help guide the surgical instrument. The method may also comprise generating an augmented reality image including a first visualization element representing the drainage pathway and a second visualization element representing the determined position of the surgical instrument relative to the drainage pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue marking devices and methods that enables marking a target tissue more than 24 hours prior to surgery. The tissue marking device includes a hook assembly having a compressed configuration and a deployed configuration and a handle assembly for positioning the hook assembly in a targeted tissue. The hook assembly may include a hook body comprising at least two hooks and a thread connected to the hook body. The handle assembly may include a handle body, a needle having a lumen, and a stylet having a lumen.

Abstract: A magnetic marker for marking a site in tissue in the body. In one embodiment, the marker comprises a magnetic metallic glass. In another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 9. In yet another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 6. In yet another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 3.

Abstract: A medical instrument holder for holding a medical instrument comprising: an adapter connected to a base portion via an arm; and an instrument holding portion configured to be capable of holding the medical instrument and connected to the adapter. The instrument holding portion includes: a positioning portion configured to perform positioning with respect to the adapter when mounted on the adapter; and a rod configured to be connected to the positioning portion and to be inserted into the adapter. The adapter includes: a contact portion to which an upper surface of the positioning portion contacts and which has an opening; a fitting hole configured to communicate with the opening of the contact portion and to extend in an insertion direction of the rod; and a window portion that is open to the fitting hole and is configured so that an insertion state of the rod can be visually recognized through the window portion when the positioning portion contacts to the contact portion.

Abstract: A medical device including a hybrid circuitry assembly, a core assembly housing having an inside surface, and a tag/getter assembly. The core assembly housing to enclose the hybrid circuitry assembly, and the tag/getter assembly to be situated adjacent the inside surface of the core assembly housing. The tag/getter assembly including an identification tag and a hydrogen getter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration apparatus for dental care including a body in which a vibrator is embedded; a tip part connected to the body to extend to an outside of the body and configured to transmit vibration energy of the vibrator to a resin applied to a tooth; and a controller configured to control a magnitude of vibration energy generated from the vibrator and transmitted to the tip part, wherein the controller controls a vibration frequency of the tip part within a range of 3 to 70 Hz. According to such configuration, the viscosity of resin attached to a tooth is lowered so that the resin can be easily formed into a desired shape and the tooth can be treated without generation of voids in the resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices having a thermochromic temperature indicator for accommodating, heating and applying dental materials, to corresponding methods of heating dental materials and of recognizing the temperature of the dental materials, and to a corresponding kit.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices, systems, and methods for orthodontic treatment performed with aligners are described. Such devices, systems, and methods 5 are to provide multiplicative treatment-duration shortening for patients under orthodontic treatment with aligners, such as clear aligners.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: A dental template for positioning an object on teeth of a patient and method for fabricating the same. The method includes creating a digital model of the patient's teeth, creating a simplified template model based on the digital model, and fabricating the dental template based on the simplified template model. The template model is simplified by removing certain features of the patient's tooth anatomy. The dental template can be located on a patient's teeth using four or fewer positioning teeth.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system for repositioning teeth of a user in need thereof from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, the user having a dental arch that comprises malpositioned (“MP”) teeth and normal-positioned (“NP”) teeth, the system comprising one or more cycles of successive appliances, each cycle of successive appliances including: (a) at least one first appliance having a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement or the final tooth arrangement, (b) optionally one or more intermediate appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive intermediate arrangements including a last intermediate tooth arrangement, and (c) at least one final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement or the last intermediate arrangement to the final tooth arrangement.

Abstract: Provided herein is system for repositioning teeth of a user in need thereof from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, the user having a dental arch that comprises malpositioned teeth and normal-positioned teeth, the system comprising one or more cycles of successive appliances, each cycle of successive appliances including: (a) at least one first appliance having a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement or the final tooth arrangement; (b) optionally one or more intermediate appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive intermediate arrangements including a last intermediate tooth arrangement, each of the one or more intermediate appliances having at least one identical copy; and (c) at least one final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement or the last intermediat

Abstract: A dental implant system, comprising: a tooth implant, and a separate abutment that is attachable or attached at the tooth implant by an attachment bolt, wherein the tooth implant is made from a first material with an elasticity modulus between 15 GPa and 75 GPa, wherein the abutment is made from a second material with an elasticity modulus greater than 100 GPa, and wherein the attachment bolt is made from the first material or the second material.

Abstract: In a dental implant (1) comprising a post part (2) which can be placed in a jaw bone and comprising a structural part (4) associated with said post part, to which structural part a denture piece can be attached, the structural part comprising an integrally moulded contact pin (8) which can be placed in an associated shaped recess (10) in the post part (2) with a positive fit, it is to be possible on the one hand to suitably index the implant in a simple and reliable manner, on the other hand a particularly high level of mechanical stability against rotation being ensured, even with an overall height which is kept low.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a bite controlled drill-head guide plate and a manufacturing method. The guide plate includes an upper matrix controlled by an upper tooth, and an upper alveolar bone or mucosa, and a lower matrix controlled by a lower tooth, and a lower alveolar bone or mucosa; a support body is disposed between the upper matrix and the lower matrix; and a control mechanism for positioning and guiding an implant drill-head is disposed on the support body, the upper matrix or the lower matrix. When in use, the guide plate is placed between upper and lower teeth of a patient, and is fixed by enabling the upper and lower teeth to respectively bite the upper matrix and the lower matrix; and then, the drill-head is placed into the control mechanism that is set according to implantation data, and the drill-head is moved to an alveolar bone along a direction of the control mechanism in implant drilling.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for customizing dental care. In one aspect, a dental care device is customized for a particular user, including: (1) a support plate having: (a) a first portion configured to be inserted into a mouth; and (b) an attachment mechanism configured to attach the dental care device to a drive assembly; and (2) an elastomer (elastic polymer) portion enclosing the first portion of the plate, the elastomer portion including a plurality of cleaning tips and shaped in accordance with dental details of the particular user.

Abstract: A method of collecting dental measurements comprising: receiving optical measurement data of at least a portion of a subject's mouth; contacting a portion of a measuring device to portions of the subject's mouth to collect position measurement data, where the measuring device includes a tracker; and combining the optical measurement data and the position measurement data.

Abstract: Device for cleaning teeth which comprises a dental floss fork (2) provided with a grippable handle (3) and with two rods (4) with free ends (4?) spaced from each other and a dental floss (5), which is mounted with a bridge section (5?) between the free ends (4?) of the two rods (4) of the dental floss fork (2). The dental floss (5) has annular extension and the dental floss fork (2) is provided with guide means (6), in which the dental floss (5) is housed, for supporting it along its annular extension. The dental floss (5) is slidably mounted within the guide means (6).

Abstract: A drivetrain assembly (100, 200) for a personal care device (10), the drivetrain assembly including a resonator (110) connected to a transmission component (24) configured to transmit oscillations to the removable attachment; and a drive coil (120) configured to oscillate the resonator in a first direction; where the drive coil is configured to generate an installation or removal signal in response to installation or removal of the removable attachment, the installation or removal of the removable attachment generating movement of the resonator in a second direction; and where the drivetrain assembly is configured to communicate the generated signal to a controller.

Abstract: A chronic wound management apparatus fitted to at least some teeth of a patient's upper or lower arch is provided for the application of medications to the teeth and to adjacent gum tissue and for compression of said tissue for treatment of a chronic wound of the periodontal tissue. The apparatus includes at least one recess formed to conform to the teeth. A seal surrounds the recess at a location corresponding to the patient's gum line for applying pressure at the patient's gum line when the patient's teeth are disposed in the recess. A wound compression extension extends from the seal. Methods for treating chronic wounds of the periodontal tissue and for making the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dental tray may include: a facial wall conforming to a facial dental arch of a wearer and having first and second ends; a first clip element coupled to and extending from the first end and configured to apply a first lateral pressure on a wearer's first tooth when it is inserted into the first clip; and a second clip element coupled to and extending from the second end and configured to apply a second lateral pressure on a wearer's second tooth when it is inserted into the second clip; wherein the front wall is formed of a first material having a first hardness, and each clip element is formed of a second material having a second hardness, the second hardness being greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: An electrolysis device may include: a housing comprising a container having an open end, the container configured to contain a liquid when the container is oriented in an upright position; and an electrolysis circuit comprising: a power source; a plurality of electrodes disposed within the container and electrically coupled to the power source; an orientation switch electrically coupled to the power source, coupled to the housing, and oriented to switch when the container is oriented in the upright position; and a control circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the electrodes, and the orientation switch, wherein the electrolysis circuit is configured to operate when the electrodes pass an electric current above a predetermined current threshold and the container is oriented in the upright position.

Abstract: A vaccination device can be used to vaccinate day-old chicks. To vaccinate the day-old chicks safely while ensuring vaccination efficacy, the vaccination device can include a vaccination needle configured to extend from the vaccination device at a vaccination delivery location and an action plate. The action plate can be coupled to the vaccination device such that the action plate is positioned next to the vaccination delivery location. The action plate can include an action button, wherein the action button is configured to receive a day-old chick presented to the action plate in a predetermined loading position, receive a press of the action button, and in response to pressing the action button, cause the vaccination needle to extend from the vaccination device at the vaccination delivery location to deliver a subcutaneous injection to the day-old chick.

Abstract: A first amount of sperm of a first animal and a second amount of sperm of a second animal of the same species, the first amount of sperm and the second amount of sperm sex-selected sperm of the same sex, useful in the in-vivo or in-vitro fertilization of an egg of a female animal of the same species of animal for the production of sex-selected embryos and sex-selected offspring.

Abstract: A method of using an implantable mesh for repairing a tissue defect or reconstructing tissue, wherein the implantable mesh has a mesh body and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh extending therefrom, includes positioning the mesh body of the implantable mesh such that the mesh body extends across the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed and passing at least one mesh extension through tissue adjacent to the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed so as to anchor the implantable mesh to the tissue and resist high tension without dehiscing or migrating from the tissue defect or tissue to be reconstructed.

Abstract: An implantable mesh for use in high tension tissue reconstruction includes a mesh body having a surrounding edge and at least two mesh extensions comprised of mesh and extending from the surrounding edge of the mesh body. Each mesh extension has a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween, the first end being integrated into or part of the mesh body. Each mesh extension is configured to be passed through tissue surrounding a reconstruction site to create multiple anchor points with the surrounding tissue upon implantation so as to resist high tension across the reconstruction site without dehiscing or migrating.

Abstract: An example medical device for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The medical device includes an expandable scaffold including first and second regions, each of the first and second regions include a plurality of interstices located therein. The medical device also includes a covering spanning each of the plurality of interstices of the first region. The second region is free of the covering. A biodegradable gripping material is disposed on an outer surface of the covering. Further, the expandable scaffold is configured to shift from a collapsed state to an expanded state and the second region is configured to contact an inner surface of the body lumen in the expanded state. Additionally, the gripping material is designed to initially prevent migration of the expandable scaffold upon implantation in the body lumen until the second region is secured to the inner surface of the body lumen.

Abstract: Multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a multi-filter blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodge or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a dual filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.

Abstract: Medical implants that include a containment layer surrounding, or surrounded by, a biodegradable medical device provide the benefit that pieces formed during degradation of the medical device are held within a constrained place and thus do not causes injury to a hosts.

Abstract: A stent comprising a tubular member, a lumen extending through the tubular member, a first retention structure and a second retention structure at opposite ends of the tubular member. The first retention structure comprises multiple coils and a removable anti-coiling material over the multiple coils of the first retention structure to present the multiple coils as an elongated extension of the tubular member, whereupon removal of the removable anti-coiling material at least one of the multiple coils of the first retention structure is presented and any excess coils can be trimmed.

Abstract: A stent is provided that includes a body extending between a distal and a proximal end. The body is defined by a plurality of elongated members, with each elongated member extending between a distal end that is coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is coterminous with the proximal end of the body. Each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the respective plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length. Each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length.

Abstract: Described are stent grafts with at least on branch and mandrels used to form the stent grafts. Methods of making and using them are also described.

Abstract: A knotless anchor for attachment of tissue to bone includes a rigid anchor body and a suture extending there from. The suture is hollow and includes a fixed limb portion secured to the rigid anchor body. A soft suture tunnel extends in a longitudinal direction through the fixed limb portion of the suture. A free suture limb is passed through the tissue, back to the anchor, and through the soft suture tunnel, thereby creating a closable suture loop around the tissue. Tension applied to the free suture limb closes the suture loop, and approximates the tissue to the anchor body. When the anchor is deployed in a bone hole, external features of the anchor body grip the walls of the bone hole and simultaneously compress the suture, thereby preventing tissue pull-out. Anchor assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens having an optical lens and haptics extending radially from the optical lens. The haptics are configured to be inserted under an anterior leaflet of a capsular wall in an eye in order to capture and confine the haptics under the anterior leaflet and secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens against an artificial intraocular lens in the eye. Anterior surfaces of the haptics are configured to contact an inner capsular wall surface at the anterior leaflet. Posterior surfaces of the haptics include ridges configured to capture at least one edge of the artificial intraocular lens in order to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to the artificial intraocular lens.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) for implantation within a capsular bag of a patient's eye comprises first and second components coupled together to define an inner fluid chamber and an outer fluid chamber. The inner region of the AIOL provides optical power with one or more of the shaped fluid within the inner fluid chamber or the shape of the first or second components. A surface treatment or coating may be applied to one or more surfaces of the first and second components. The surface treatment is expected to decrease the roughness of the machined surfaces of the boundary surfaces of the first and second components, and thereby reduce the mass of water coalescing at such boundary surfaces. The disclosed surface treatments are also expected to increase the hydrophobicity (i.e., decrease the surface energy) of the corresponding surface(s), thereby decreasing the “wettability” of these surfaces.

Abstract: An intraocular lens including an optic zone and a modulated surface profile formed in the optic zone and configured to focus incident light at a plurality of focal points, wherein the modulated surface profile is incorporated with a base surface profile of the optic zone.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens implant (10) is provided that is shaped so as to be assemblable into an assembled state in situ in a capsular bag of a human eye, and includes an anterior floating lens unit (24), which comprises an anterior lens (26); a posterior lens unit (50), which comprises a posterior lens (52); an anterior rim (44); levers (30), arranged to move the anterior floating lens unit (24) toward and away from the anterior rim (44), in an anterior-posterior direction; and a circumferential rim (48), which is attached to the levers (30). The lens implant (10) is arranged such that in the assemble state: elastic potential energy is stored in the lens implant (10) as a result of deformation of the lens implant (10) during a transition from a fully-accommodated state to a fully-unaccommodated state, and at least 50% of the elastic potential energy stored in the lens implant (10) as the result of the deformation is stored in the circumferential rim (48).