Abstract: A fastener removal tool has a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatable and translatable body between the proximal end and the distal end. There is a spring positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the spring is configured to allow the rotatable and translatable body to translate. Rotation and translation of the rotatable and translatable body is configured to provide a compressive force to at least a portion of a fastener for removal of the fastener. Methods for using fastener removal tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include cryogenic systems and methods for treating pain or spasm associated with a nerve of a patient. A target nerve may be located and a distal end of a cryogenic system needle may be inserted into a tissue at a desired location in proximity to the target nerve. The needle includes an outer lumen and an inner lumen extending distally within the outer lumen, the inner lumen including a distal opening that is open to the outer lumen. A cooling fluid may be delivered from a cooling fluid source to the needle via a fluidic pathway, the fluidic pathway including the cooling fluid source, the inner lumen, and the outer lumen, wherein a flow of the cooling fluid cools the needle so that the needle cools the target nerve at the desired location sufficiently such that the pain or spasm is inhibited.

Abstract: A method for controlling a balloon pressure of an inflatable balloon of an intravascular catheter system includes the steps of (i) sending sensor output to a controller, the sensor output being based at least partially on the balloon pressure, and (ii) maintaining the balloon pressure within a predetermined pressure range based at least partially upon the sensor output received by the controller. The step of maintaining includes one of (a) adjusting a flow rate of a cryogenic fluid through the inflatable balloon while moving the inflatable balloon from a first treatment site to a second treatment site, and (b) adjusting the flow rate of the cryogenic fluid that is selectively delivered from the fluid source to the inflatable balloon through an adjunct fluid injection line that is in fluid communication with a fluid exhaust line.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand with open ends around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and/or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system also includes means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The preferred embodiment of the catheter includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery.

Abstract: A method for the selective elevation and separation of tissues comprised of multiple layers and a surgical instrument for performing the method. The method may be performed without the requirement of a solid mechanical device insertion or transection through the mucosal layer. In particular, the method and surgical instrument may be used for the selected separation and/or resection of selected portions of benign or malignant tissues (e.g. defining tissue planes, polyp elevation and removal, submucosal tissue tunnelling, endoscopic mucosa resection, etc).

Abstract: An electrosurgical snare device is provided which uses a flow of inert gas to assist in the cutting and sealing process of tissue, while substantially reducing the fornnation of eschar and collateral tissue damage. The electrosurgical device includes a housing having a longitudinal axis; a support shaft attached to a distal end of the housing, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the support shaft. The end effector includes a tube including a plurality of apertures and an electrically conducting spring disposed around the tube, where a spacing of the coils of the spring coincides with a spacing of the plurality of apertures, wherein a gas assisted electrosurgical effect is formed at each of the plurality of apertures when an inert gas flows through the tube and the spring is energized. The tube may be configured as a loop or snare.

Abstract: A flow channel member according to the present disclosure has a flow channel. A surface of the flow channel has a reduced valley depth Rvk found from a roughness profile, the reduced valley depth Rvk being less than a reduced peak height Rpk found from the roughness profile.

Abstract: A jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes a jaw body, an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length of the jaw body, and an insulative housing coupled to the jaw body and the sealing surface. The insulative housing has a proximal end defining an oblique surface.

Abstract: An instrument including working arms and a moveable member. The working arms include a first arm, a second arm, a first electrode located on the first arm, and a second electrode located on the second arm. The moveable member includes a passive circuit element, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The moveable member is moveable to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first terminal is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second terminal is in electrical communication with the second electrode so that in the first position an electrical circuit is completed. An impedance is measured of the passive circuit element in the completed electrical circuit. The instrument is adapted to provide a modality based on the measured impedance or a determined position of the moveable member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is disclosed for providing a range of tissue treatment modes and for use in a variety of orientations. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle on a proximal end, an elongate shaft and at least three distinct electrodes disposed at a distal end of the wand. The three electrodes include a blade electrode having a length measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of wand, the length running parallel to the wand longitudinal axis for a portion of the length. The blade electrode has a distal portion that curves toward the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the wand. The three electrodes also include a second electrode disposed on a second side of the wand from the blade electrode; and a third electrode disposed between the blade electrode and the second electrode. All the electrodes have a different shape and surface area.

Abstract: A medical introducer for use in locating an energy delivery probe, such as an RF ablation probe, at a target location in tissue includes a proximal hub and an elongate cannula having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end connected to the hub. An elongate opening extends proximally from the distal end along a longitudinal axis of the cannula, the elongate opening defined by a long side of the cannula that extends to the distal end and an opposite open side. The elongate opening has a shape such that an active distal tip region of a probe inserted into the cannula is exposed longitudinally along the elongate opening and is covered by the long side along an opposite side of the distal tip region. A resulting lesion formed by use of the introducer with the probe is non-spherical and includes an enlarged lobe oriented along the elongate opening.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for treating and occluding a female patient's fallopian tubes to provide permanent birth control or sterilization.

Abstract: A catheter has a balloon electrode assembly with at least one compliant balloon member and at least one electrode carried on an outer surface of the balloon member for accomplishing circumferential sensing or ablation in a tubular region of the heart, including a pulmonary vein or ostium. The catheter may also include an electrode assembly with a tip and/or ring electrode distal of the balloon electrode assembly adapted for focal contact.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: An antenna system for tissue ablation comprises an energy transmission member, an antenna body coupled to the energy transmission member, a fluid source, and a choke member including a choke body and a choke connector electrically coupling the choke body to the energy transmission member. The choke connector is in direct contact with fluid from the fluid source and forms a delivery path for the fluid between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector and the choke body are integrally formed of a continuous wire mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy using energy delivery devices having a conductive permanent tip encapsulated in a biocompatible material.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology by which a suitable parameter for acquiring a tomographic image that meets a user's demand can be set. [Solving Means] An information processing apparatus according to the present technology includes a control unit. The control unit detects a time-series change of an object shown in an image obtained by taking an image of an eye which is a surgical operation target and changes a parameter for acquiring a tomographic image of the eye in accordance with the time-series change of the object.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and also to a correspondingly configured imaging device for planning support for an interventional procedure. In the method, a model of a hollow organ is created from a 3D image dataset. A deformation of the hollow organ is then simulated based on a course of a guide facility in the hollow organ through a deformation of the model. In accordance with the deformed model, a spatially resolved compression and/or stretching of the hollow organ, which is brought about by an introduction of the guide facility, is determined and specified.

Abstract: Systems, methods, software and techniques are disclosed for morphing a generic virtual boundary into a patient-specific virtual boundary for an anatomical model. The generic virtual boundary comprises one or more morphable faces. An intersection of the generic virtual boundary and the anatomical model is computed to define a cross-sectional contour of the anatomical model. One or more faces of the generic virtual boundary are morphed to conform to the cross-sectional contour of the anatomical model to produce the patient-specific virtual boundary. In some cases, the morphed faces are spaced apart from the cross-sectional contour by an offset distance that accounts for a geometric feature of a surgical tool.

Abstract: A system for determining accuracy of a surgical procedure to implant an implant on a patient bone. The system including at least one computing device configured to perform the following steps. Receive preoperative patient data including preoperative images of the patient bone and planned implant position and orientation data. Receive postoperative patient data including postoperative images of the patient bone and an implant implanted on the patient bone. Segment the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images of the patient bone and the implant. Register separately the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images to the patient bone from the preoperative images. And compare an implanted position and orientation of the implant from the postoperative images relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images to the planned implant position and orientation data relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images.

Abstract: Provided are a virtual stent placement apparatus, a virtual stent placement method, and a virtual stent placement program that simplify an operation of virtually placing a stent in a blood vessel extracted from a medical image. An extraction unit (22) extracts a blood vessel region (30) from a three-dimensional image (V0). A display control unit (26) displays a three-dimensional image (V1) including the blood vessel region (30). The information acquisition unit (23) acquires information of the diameter of a virtual stent placed in the blood vessel region (30), a maximum contour length of the virtual stent, and a start position (S1) in a case in which the virtual stent is placed. A placement unit (24) places the virtual stent having a maximum contour length (L0) from the start position (S1) along a maximum contour line of the blood vessel region (30) in the blood vessel region (30).

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a method for assisting a clinician in performing a medical procedure on a patient using augmented reality guidance. The method can include obtaining a three-dimensional model of an anatomic part of the patient. The method can also include aligning the three-dimensional model with data to form augmented reality guidance for the medical procedure. In addition, the method can include presenting the augmented reality guidance to the clinician during the medical procedure using an augmented reality three-dimensional display.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wearable computing device including (i) one or more sensors, (ii) a partially or fully transparent display, and (iii) a control system. The control system is configured to receive data indicative of a three-dimensional model of a body part. The control system is further configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors. Based on the sensor data, the control system is further configured to determine a relative position of a physical body part of a physical body with respect to the wearable computing device. Based on the determined relative position, the control system is configured to cause the display to provide a hologram corresponding to at least a portion of the three-dimensional model of the body part such that the hologram appears overlaid onto at least a portion of the physical body part when viewed through the display.

Abstract: Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. The IGS system may be configured to detect various movement patterns of the tools, which may be mapped to and associated with corresponding actions or inputs to the IGS system. In one example, a registration probe may be moved along the x-axis and y-axis, with detected movements identified and received by the IGS system as movements of a mouse cursor on a display of the IGS system. In another example, the registration probe may be moved in a circular pattern, or quickly moved along any of the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis, with each being configured to cause the IGS system to zoom a display, change a view, record video, or other actions.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced surgical navigation and graphical user interfaces associated therewith. The system includes a 3D endoscope and a computing device including a display for displaying the graphical user interfaces. The 3D endoscope includes a camera source and a scan source and is utilized to generate a 3D spatial map of a surgical site. A position of a surgical tool is detected in the 3D spatial map, a distance between the position of the surgical tool in the 3D spatial map and a location of an anatomy is detected, and a warning is generated when it is determined that the distance between the position of the surgical tool in the 3D spatial map and the location of the anatomy is equal to or not greater than a threshold minimum distance.

Abstract: A method for enhanced surgical navigation, and a system performing the method and displaying graphical user interfaces associated with the method. A 3D spatial map of a surgical site is generated using a 3D endoscope including a camera source and an IR scan source. The method includes detecting a needle tip protruding from an anatomy and determining a needle protrusion distance corresponding to a distance between the needle tip and a surface of the anatomy using the 3D spatial map. A position of a surgical tool in the 3D spatial map is detected and a determination is made by the system indicative of whether the needle protrusion distance is sufficient for grasping by the surgical tool. A warning is generated when it is determined that the needle protrusion distance is not sufficient for grasping by the surgical tool.

Abstract: A device or system to adapt navigation trackers from various manufacturers to a variety of instruments to be navigated during a surgical procedure is disclosed. An adapter for coupling a navigation tracking array to an instrument including a drive shaft and a tracking device holder. The drive shaft can include a handle interface, an instrument connection, and an intermediate section including a circular locking groove extends proximally from a positioning flange. The tracking device holder can be configured to secure a navigation tracking array to the drive shaft and include an elongated body and a locking button. The elongated body can include an inner bore extending along a longitudinal length of the elongated body and adapted to receive the intermediate section of the drive shaft. The locking button can retain the tracking device holder along the drive shaft while allowing for rotation about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument having an instrument body, an elongate member with a distal end configured to be inserted into an anatomical passageway of a patient, a sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the elongate member, and a first electrical connector electrically coupled with the sensor. The assembly further includes a cable assembly having a cable that communicates with a processor, and a coupling that releasably couples with the instrument body. The coupling includes a coupling body having first and second lateral sides that extend parallel to one another and are configured to extend parallel to a side of the instrument body when the coupling is coupled with the instrument body. The coupling includes a second electrical connector that electrically couples with the first electrical connector to transmit the signal from the sensor proximally through the cable and toward the processor.

Abstract: A fiber optic tracking sensor includes at least three optical fibers, each optical fiber having a plurality of fiber optic sensors along a length of a sensing portion of the sensor. A shape-memory member is coupled to the three optical fibers and provides support to the sensor. The at least three optical fibers are arranged in a spaced apart relationship, each offset from a central longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: An instrument tracking device for cooperating with an instrument during a surgical procedure where the instrument has an elongated body extending along a first longitudinal axis and including a working member at a distal tip includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening can be formed through the body along a second longitudinal axis. The opening can define a passthrough in the body from the distal end to the proximal end. A first tracking coil can be disposed in the body and can define a first tracking coil axis that is substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the body. A connection mechanism cooperates between the elongated housing and the body that secures the body to the elongated housing of the instrument upon passing at least a portion of the elongated housing through the passthrough of the body in an assembled position.

Abstract: A medical system comprises a medical instrument system and an assembly removably coupled to the medical instrument system. The assembly is configured to operate the medical instrument system by moving it within an anatomic passageway. The medical system also comprises a sensor system coupled to the instrument system and configured to generate information including spatial data and shape data about the instrument system. The medical system also comprises a control system communicatively coupled to the instrument system, the assembly, and the sensor system. The control system receives, from the sensor system, a first set of the spatial data including position information for a distal end of the medical instrument system during a plurality of time periods. The control system also receives the shape data from the sensor system and filters the first set of the spatial data.

Abstract: A medical or dental system with at least one first transmitting and/or receiving unit and at least one second transmitting and/or receiving unit, wherein the at least two transmitting and/or receiving units are designed for the capacitive coupling of electric signals into and/or out of a human body, so that an electric path which extends through the human body of the user and/or of the person to be treated can be established for the transmission of electric signals between the at least one first transmitting and/or receiving unit and the at least one second transmitting and/or receiving unit, in order to transmit data between the at least two transmitting and/or receiving units.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument, comprising: a shaft; an end effector element; an articulation at a distal end of the shaft for articulating the end effector element, the articulation comprising a first joint permitting the end effector to adopt a range of configurations relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the first joint being driveable by a first pair of driving elements; and an instrument interface at a proximal end of the shaft, comprising: a chassis formed from the securement of a first chassis portion to a second chassis portion, wherein the first pair of driving elements are secured relative to the chassis, the chassis portions being configured to be secured together by sliding the chassis portions relative to each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A robotic acoustic probe for application with an interventional device (60). The robotic acoustic probe employs an acoustic probe (20) including a imaging platform (21) having a device insertion port (22) defining a device insertion port entry (23) and device insertion port exit (24), and further including an acoustic transducer array (25) are disposed relative the device insertion port exit (24). The robotic acoustic probe further employs a robotic instrument guide (40) including a base (41) mounted to the imaging platform (21) relative to the device insertion port entry (23), and an end-effector (45) coupled to the base (41) and transitionable between a plurality of poses relative to a remote-center-of-motion (49). The end-effector (45) defines an interventional device axis (48) extending through the device insertion port (22), and the remote-center-of-motion (49) is located on the interventional device axis (48) adjacent the device insertion port exit (24).

Abstract: A continuum arm robot section, in which the section comprises at least three segments, featuring a base, at least one middle segment and a tip segment. Each segment corresponding to at least one interconnecting portion between pairs of neighbouring discs that form a backbone of the section of the continuum arm robot. The base segment having a greater stiffness than the at least one middle segment and tip segment and the at least one middle segment having a greater stiffness than the tip segment. Also provided is a method of adjusting the stiffness of a continuum arm. The method comprising the steps applying a first stiffening component to a segment. Applying a second stiffening component to a different segment. The first stiffening means results in the base segment having a greater stiffness than the middle segment, and the second stiffening means results in the middle segment having lower stiffness than the base segment, but higher than the tip segment.

Abstract: A surgical robotics system with robotic arms is configurable to perform a variety of surgical procedures. The surgical robotics system includes a table, column, base, and robotic arms that are either column-mounted, rail-mounted, or mounted on a separate unit. In a column-mounted configuration, the column includes column rings that translate vertically and rotate about the column. The robotic arms are attached to the column rings. In a rail-mounted configuration, the base includes base rails that translate along the base. The robotic arms are attached to the base rails. In both configurations, the robotic arms move independently from each other and include a multiple arm segments. Each arm segment provides an additional degree of freedom to the robotic arm. Thus, the surgical robotics system may position the robotic arms into numerous configurations to access different parts of a patient's body.

Abstract: A robot-assisted surgical system includes a robotic manipulator configured for robotic positioning of a surgical instrument in a body cavity, a surgical instrument positionable in an operative site in the body cavity and at least one path-defining instrument insertable into a natural body orifice. The system is configured to determine a position of the path-defining instrument. A target resection path for the surgical instrument may be determined based on the determined position. The path-defining instrument may be a bougie or colpotomy ring.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an end effector of a surgical tool to a surgical site, the surgical tool being pivotably mounted to a robotic arm at a tool driver, engaging tissue at the surgical site with the end effector, calculating a force vector assumed on the end effector by engaging the tissue, optimizing the force vector to obtain an optimized force vector, and actuating the end effector after applying the optimized force vector on the end effector.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an end effector of a surgical tool to a surgical site, setting a desired force vector to be assumed on the end effector during actuation of the end effector, engaging tissue at the surgical site with the end effector and calculating a force vector assumed on the end effector, and maneuvering the end effector to obtain the desired force vector.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with a teleoperated surgical system, the method comprising: determining patient position information during a setup for a performance of the surgical procedure within an instance of the surgical system; determining a match between the determined patient position and a patient position signature; and launching a support arm control signal within the surgical system that corresponds to the matched support arm signature.

Abstract: A foot pedal for a user interface of a robotic surgical system includes a frame, a lever, and a sensor system. The lever is coupled to the frame and is pivotable relative to the frame between an initial position and a fully actuated position. The sensor system has a first element associated with the frame and a second element that is associated with the lever. The sensor system is configured to determine the position of the lever relative to the frame.

Abstract: An orthopedic surgery assistant system includes: a multi-axis mechanical arm module; at least one end effector, including: two linear actuating elements, two actuating element encoders, a central annular structure, a connector, and a power/torque sensing element; a guide and positioning module; and a surgery remote control module, so that a user pulls the multi-axis mechanical arm and the end effector according to a real-time three-dimensional model, so that the multi-axis mechanical arm performs translation and rotation motions in a plurality of axial directions on an applied end, and the end effector performs a rotation motion of two degrees of freedom on the applied end.

Abstract: A drape for covering a robotic surgical system includes a body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion has a proximal opening. The body includes a cavity extending between the first end portion and the second end portion thereof. The cavity is dimensioned for receipt of a portion of the robotic surgical system via the proximal opening of the second end portion of the body. The drape includes a deployment handle coupled to the second end portion of the body at a position distal of the proximal opening.

Abstract: The invention discloses a vertical self-service blood pressure detector, which comprises a vertical cabinet. A control board is fixedly arranged on the right end of the upper end surface of the vertical cabinet, a touch screen is arranged on the left end surface of the control board, and a card reader is arranged on the lower side of the touch screen. The user needs to insert a personal social security card, medical card, etc. into the card reader to read personal information before using the device. The present invention allows the user to automatically use the device by placing the blood pressure detector in a vertical cabinet. The user needs to use a social security card or medical card for real-name use. Not only can the user be recorded, but also the test data can be recorded in the social security card or medical card, which is convenient for doctors to obtain data.

Abstract: A protective device for maintaining the sterilization of a self-drilling anchor inserter and prohibiting the sharp, drilling point of the inserter from puncturing sterile packaging. The device includes a cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannulated tube extends along a longitudinal axis and has proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion extends to the proximal end and the distal portion extends to the distal end. The cannulated tube also has an inner volume. A first slot extends into the inner volume and along the proximal portion toward the proximal end. A second slot extends partially into the cannulated tube between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A connecting portion attaches the proximal portion to the distal portion. The proximal portion is movable relative to the distal portion, between an aligned position and a bent position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments include a first drive assembly having a first drive gear and a lockout mechanism positioned for releasable engagement with the first drive assembly to inhibit rotation of the first drive gear. The lockout mechanism includes a pawl and an actuator means for moving the pawl from a first position in engagement with the first drive gear to a second position spaced from the first drive gear.