Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a patient's hair is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet configured to cover a patient's hair during an operation. A sealing member is provided on or joined to a leading end of the sheet. The sealing member is configured to be applied to a patient's skin adjacent to an operating field to create a seal between the operating field and the patient's hair. At least one anchoring member is joined to the sheet adjacent to the leading end of the sheet. The at least one anchoring member is configured to be attached to the patient's hair adjacent to the operating field to anchor the apparatus to the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a disposable endoscope shield including a shield body member having a first surface configured to cover a treatment area of a subject and a second surface oriented towards a user of an endoscope device. The shield body member is configured with an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface for allowing the endoscope device to access an internal organ of the subject via a cavity, for performing an endoscopy. A fluid protection layer is configured between the first surface and the second surface of the shield body member, for protecting the user from fluids splattering from the internal organ of the subject during the endoscopy. The shield also includes a pocket member and is configured to a medical procedure mat.

Abstract: A low profile surgical system includes a movable cart assembly, an endoscope, and a surgical instrument. The movable cart assembly includes a fluid source and a receptacle assembly that are in fluid communication with one another. The endoscope is operably coupled to the cart assembly and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The surgical instrument is operably coupled to the cart assembly. The surgical instrument and the endoscope are configured to dispense outflow fluid into the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a surgical kit includes providing one or more medical devices based on a three-dimensional (3D) image of an anatomical structure. The method additionally includes providing packaging based on the 3D image, and providing the surgical kit utilizing the packaging and the one or more medical devices. In another aspect, a surgical kit has one or more contoured packaging surface having a contour that matches a contour of an anatomical structure. The contoured packaging surface has one or more features for receiving one or more medical devices provided based on the contour in the 3D image. The surgical kit additionally has a lid connected under pressure with the one or more contoured packaging surface. The lid has apertures for sterilization of components of the one or more medical devices situated between the lid and the contoured packaging surface.

Abstract: A loading unit detection system includes an elongate member, a loading unit, a magnet, and a GMR IC. The elongate member defines a receiver. The loading unit includes a connector that is configured to be received within the receiver to releasably couple the loading unit to the elongate member. The magnet is supported on the connector and is configured to translate relative to the elongate member as the connector is received within the receiver. The GMR IC is embedded within the elongate member and is configured to output a differential voltage in response to a magnetic field produced by the magnet of the loading unit. The differential voltage is indicative of the position of the loading unit within the receiver of the elongate member.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising includes a light source, a sensor for detecting light, and a surgical device including an elongate shaft having a distal part positionable at a surgical working site within a body cavity. A first optical pathway transmits transmitting light from the light source to a distal part of the elongate shaft and onto tissue within the body cavity, and a second optical pathway receives light from tissue within the body cavity and transmits the received light to the sensor. A surgical drape, such as one covering a robotic manipulator arm housing components of the system, is positioned such that at least the first or second optical pathway includes an optically transmissive portion of the surgical drape.

Abstract: A mediated-reality system for surgical applications incorporates pre-operative images and real-time captured images of a surgical site into a visualization presented on a head-mounted display worn by a surgeon during a surgical procedure. The mediated-reality system tracks the surgeon's head position and generates real-time images of the surgical site from a virtual camera perspective corresponding to the surgeon's head position to mimic the natural viewpoint of the surgeon. The mediated-reality system furthermore aligns the pre-operative images with the real-time images from the virtual camera perspective and presents a mediated-reality visualization of the surgical site with the aligned pre-operative three-dimensional images or a selected portion thereof overlaid on the real-time images representing the virtual camera perspective.

Abstract: A device for robotic surgery of soft tissue, that comprises a shell for enclosing a surgical area on a patient. The shell has a rim with at least one suction fastener for adhering the shell to the patient. A manipulator arm is positioned within the shell for manipulating the soft tissue in the surgical area, the manipulator arm comprised of at least one flexible module that is capable of omnidirectional bending and elongation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a vaporized peracetic acid, with sterilization taking place at ambient temperature. In particular, the disclosed peracetic bubbler technology may achieve sustained peracid acid concentrations. This bubbler and vaporization technology requires no further mechanical assistance, such as pumps, to move peracetic acid vapor into the interior components of an endoscope or any other medical device or medical appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning instruments, which provides removal and collection of material from one or more surgical instruments. The cleaning apparatus may be a dry cleaning process or offered in conjunction with one or more fluids. In one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus continuously purges blood, bone and other debris quickly and may comprise a system for removing reusable material from the cleaning process for reuse.

Abstract: A method can include applying a clear or mostly clear dental coating on one or more teeth for preserving the structure and/or appearance of the one or more teeth. The method can include bleaching the one or more teeth before applying the clear or mostly clear dental coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial tooth comprising a plurality of internal crown members, a plurality of connecting rods, at least one external crown member, at least one spring clip. The internal crown members are respectively fitted to a plurality of abutments. Each of the connecting rods connects to at least two of the internal crown members. The external crown member has at least one groove therein, and the groove is formed to correspond to the internal crown members. The spring clip clamps a protrusion block formed on the internal crown members or on an adjacent tooth. Further, the spring clip comprises two spring arms opposite each other, and each of two spring arms has a fixed end and a movable end opposite to fixed end. Each of two spring arms connects to the fixed end and the movable end, and fixed end is fixed inside the internal crown members.

Abstract: A dental drill system with electrical-impedance sensing indicates when a bit of the drill system approaches cortical-cancellous bone, or bone-soft tissue interfaces. The drill system has a dental drill handset having a cannula bearing electrically coupled to a drilling bit, the drilling bit having an electrically insulated portion and an exposed portion. The cannula bearing is coupled to an electrical impedance spectroscopy sensing device configured to measure impedance between the cannula bearing of the dental drill handset and a ground plate, and a processing system uses EIS measurements to distinguish when the bit of the drill system approaches cortical- or cancellous bone, or bone-soft tissue interfaces.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a tongue retractor. The tongue retractor may include a transpalatal element, which may further include a cradle that may be positioned between flexible regions. The cradle may include curved members and a concave surface. The curved members may extend from the flexible regions to an apex forming an arch-shaped region. The concave surface may extend between the curved members across at least a portion of the arch-shaped region.

Abstract: A vibration device for dental use is provided, including a support member and a vibration transmission member. The support member is adapted to fit in the space between the upper and lower teeth on one side of the mouth, and includes a frame and an elastic layer. The frame is configured to maintain a shape defining an inner cavity having a first opening formed on the first side of the support member and a second opening formed on the second side of the support member. The elastic layer covers the surfaces of the frame. The vibration transmission member has a connector end for coupling to a vibration source and an insertion end configured to be inserted into the inner cavity of the support member so as to transmit the vibration energy generated by the vibration source to the upper and lower teeth of the patient.

Abstract: A removable dental appliance may include an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth. The appliance body may include a unitary material defining a shell shaped to receive at least one tooth of the patient; a spring member integrally formed with the shell; and a positioning member integrally formed with the shell. The spring member may be configured to receive an attachment affixed to the at least one tooth. The spring member may be configured to apply a spring force to the attachment to cause movement of the at least one tooth toward a desired position when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient. The positioning member may be configured to facilitate engagement of the spring member with the attachment in response to a positioning force being applied to the positioning member.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a positioning member configured to position an orthodontic appliance during installation in the patient's mouth. The positioning member may comprise a first portion configured to be coupled to the patient's teeth and a second portion extending away from the first portion. The second portion may be configured to be detachably coupled to the orthodontic appliance. While the positioning member is coupled to the orthodontic appliance, the positioning member is configured to be positioned in the patient's mouth and coupled to the patient's teeth, thereby positioning the orthodontic appliance at a desired location adjacent a patient's oral anatomy.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related pair of elements and methods are for aligning or positioning teeth. The apparatus is configured to be worn in a mouth of a wearer and further configured to be supported on the teeth of the wearer, and has elements arranged to be distributed along a set of the teeth and at least one engager member for engaging the elements for moving one or more of the teeth. In such embodiments, at least one pair of the elements can be engaged such that when in use, at least one part of one of the elements in the pair bears against at least one part of the other of the elements in the pair.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a packaged orthodontic appliance comprising an orthodontic appliance and a packaging base including first and second tie-wing support arms, wherein a first tie-wing support arm supports the first tie-wing of the orthodontic appliance, and the second tie-wing support arm supports the second tie-wing of the orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: A dental implant and final prosthetic placement system for small-diameter implants (and method for using the system) in which a final prosthetic is digitally designed and created, and is itself used as the drill guide to place the implants. The final prosthetic is held in the predetermined proper drilling position by a stent, such as an occlusal guard. The combination of final prosthetic (with holes through which the small-diameter implants are drilled to secure it) and the stent encasing the final prosthetic, is itself the drill guide.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning a dental site comprises a base, a detector mounted to the base, and an optical element to redirect light reflected off of the dental site towards the detector along a detection axis in a first direction. Two or more flexures couple the optical element to the base, wherein thermal expansion or contraction of the optical element with respect to at least one of the detector or the base bends each flexure of the two or more flexures in a respective second direction without bending the flexure in a respective third direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction and the respective second direction, wherein the two or more flexures maintain an alignment of the optical element to the detector with changes in temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental prosthesis part production method, wherein: a dental prosthesis part model is generated taking into account a dental model; a load analysis of the dental prosthesis part model is carried out; a first reinforcing structure model having a first shape and position is arranged inside the dental prosthesis part model and the dental prosthesis part model is reduced by a volume corresponding to the arranged first reinforcing structure model; the reduced dental prosthesis part model is divided into a lower partial volume and an upper partial volume; a lower part of the dental prosthesis part is produced from a first composite material according to the lower partial volume by means of the 3D printer; a first reinforcing structure corresponding to the first reinforcing structure model is arranged on the first part of the dental prosthesis part; and, by means of the 3D printer using the first composite material, an upper part of the dental prosthesis part according to the upper partial

Abstract: The disclosure of the present application relates to a healing abutment and its use. The healing abutment can include scannable features and can be coupled to a dental implant via a retention screw. The healing abutment can include features that can be scanned by an intra-oral scanning system or transferred to a physical impression to convey information regarding the position and orientation of the dental implant.

Abstract: A dental zirconia system to produce translucent zirconia sintered bodies comprises at least two separate zirconia green bodies. At least one zirconia green body comprises zirconium oxide and a lower content of at least one other oxide summing to between 6.5 wt % to 20 wt % based on a total weight percent of the zirconia green body. At least another zirconia green body comprises zirconium oxide and a higher content of at least one other oxide summing to between 7.5 wt % to 20 wt % based on a total weight percent of the zirconia green body. The at least two zirconia green bodies each have at least some particles with a diameter of 100 nanometers to 1000 nanometers. The at least two zirconia green bodies have different amounts of the at least one other oxide with respect to one another.

Abstract: Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant analog, an implant analog kit comprising the dental implant analog, the combination of a physical model of a set of a patient's teeth and the dental implant analog and a method of positioning a dental implant analog into a physical model of a set of a patient's teeth.

Abstract: The preset invention is comprised of a novel hemp filament floss generally consisting of tightly bound hemp plant filaments and fibers. The filaments and fibers are structured to a string like design similar to presently marketed silk, plastic, and bamboo floss; into a strong, string-like, durable structure. The hemp floss may be coated and flavored for friction and comfort. The coating may include dietary or medicinal properties and substances. In other embodiments, said hemp filament floss is not limited to morphing in regard to structure, components, coating, shape, size, texture, and style.

Abstract: A flossing device is provided comprising a body extending from a first end to a second end and defining a handle and a head. The head includes a first leg and a second leg spaced apart and extending parallel to each other at the second end. Each of the first leg and the second leg have a tip portion and a groove, the groove extending from a top end surface of the tip portion and into each leg. The groove is operable to receive a portion of floss. The device further comprises an upper protuberance and a lower protuberance disposed on each side of the body and near the head. Each of the upper protuberances and the lower protuberances have a retainer portion for receiving a portion of the floss and have a stop portion for holding the floss on the retainer portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and related equipment for the precise measurement of the output characteristic of a light source, e.g., a dental light curing unit (LCU) or light for photodynamic therapy, using a light collector, a light detector, and a computer programmed to deliver the value of the output characteristic of the light source to the user. The systems allow for the determination of a proper exposure time or the selection of a light source as needed for a specific application.

Abstract: A device includes an antenna, markers disposed inside the device and configured to be movable inside the device to measure positions of a first tooth and a second tooth among teeth in the oral cavity, a sensor module measuring positions of the markers, and at least one of a distance between a reference point set in the device and at least one of the first tooth and the second tooth and a distance between the first tooth and the second tooth based on the measured positions of the plurality of markers. The device further includes a communication module transmitting to an external device at least one of information about the measured distance between the reference point set in the device and the at least one of the first tooth and the second tooth and information about the measured distance between the first tooth and the second tooth through the antenna.

Abstract: A dental apparatus includes a center gripping portion defining a central axis, a mesial portion and a distal portion. The mesial portion includes an open-oriented constant diameter tip, the first leg projecting at an obtuse angle and the second leg projecting orthogonally from the first leg toward the central axis. The distal portion includes a closed-oriented constant diameter tip, the first leg projecting at an obtuse angle parallel to the mesial tip first leg and the second leg projecting orthogonally from the distal tip first leg and away from the central axis parallel to the mesial tip second leg.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to an extended use systems and devices for management of bladder function for people with urinary dysfunction. The system includes a catheter which can include a sensor that can determine bladder condition and a valve that can control fluid flow. The catheter can be placed inside the bladder using devices that facilitate insertion and extraction. The placement of the catheter can be done by a trained individual such as a patient, as well as a clinician, a nurse, or a caretaker. Once placed inside the bladder, the catheter can be fully-internal, meaning no portion of the catheter is visible from outside of the patient's body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical implant (20) comprising: a coil-shaped component (21) and a first mesh component (22) and a second mesh component (23); wherein each mesh component has a largest surface extending in two directions in the x-y plane of the mesh component, and wherein each mesh component has a projected area, which is said largest surface as projected in the x-y plane of the medical implant; wherein the coil-shaped component is arranged between the two mesh components; wherein the coil-shaped component has a center core which is hollow; and wherein the coil-shaped component has a helix rotation axis, which extends in parallel with said projected area of the first mesh component and said projected area of the second mesh component.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a membrane configured to guide bone and tissue regeneration for a bone defect. The membrane may comprise a first layer, a second layer, one or more perforations, a binder, and/or other components. The first layer of the membrane may be configured to contact bone. The first layer may include pores configured to promote ingrowth of bone regenerating cells into the first layer. In some implementations, the first layer may be a continuous sheet of microporous material without large perforations. The second layer may be configured to substantially prevent fibrous connective tissue from growing into the bone defect. The second layer may comprise a relatively dense structure. The second layer may be fixedly coupled to the first layer. In some implementations, the perforations may comprise co-axial through-holes having common dimensions through the first layer and the second layer. The perforations may be configured to enhance ossification.

Abstract: A vascular filter system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the filter system comprises a dispensing needle, a guidewire and a catheter releasably attached to a filter dispenser which stores a length of filter wire. The filter wire dispenser has a guide tube which guides the filter wire into the catheter and then into a vein during surgical implantation. The filter wire is configured to form into a predetermined shape as it is deployed from the needle. The shape of the filter wire captures blood clots in the blood stream. The filter wire may be configured with a perforated section and a non-perforated section. Perforations are in fluid communication with an inner hollow lumen in the filter wire.

Abstract: A suction stent for introduction into a hollow organ of the human or animal body, preferably into the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the intestine, includes a tubular hollow body which is open in the longitudinal direction and made of biocompatible material. The tubular hollow body has a fixed diameter at least in its central portion; and a porous shapeable material, preferably a sponge material, which is biocompatible and shapeable in the radial direction, the porous shapeable material radially sheathing the tubular hollow body at least in a section of the tubular hollow body. Further, a method is provided for sealing a leakage, especially an anastomosis, of the hollow organ.

Abstract: A non-occlusive intravascular device for local application of a therapeutic agent to a selected segment of a lumenal wall of a blood vessel without applying radial force on the wall. The device comprises a radially expandable/collapsible flexible scaffold of an open-skeletal structure and a flexible outer surface capable of conforming to the lumenal wall without applying radial force thereon and a controllable mechanism for expanding and collapsing the scaffold. The therapeutic agent is loaded and carried on the outer surface of the scaffold. Also provided are a method and a system for delivering a therapeutic agent to a selected segment within a blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to generally to a vascular access graft that includes a magnetic element disposed about a flow tube for guiding a blood flow between an arterial end adapted for arterial anastomosis to a portion of an artery, and a venous end adapted for venous anastomosis to a portion of a vein. The magnetic element may include a plurality of magnets disposed about the flow tube so that a magnetic field may be applied to blood flowing therein; the magnetic element may alternatively include a circuitry configured to generate a magnetic field applied to the flow tube.

Abstract: An implantable damping device (100) for modifying blood flow characteristics in a vessel (50), the device (100) including: a first expansion chamber (110) having a first chamber proximal end (130), a first chamber distal end (170) and a first chamber intermediate portion (140) having a larger cross-sectional area than the first chamber proximal and distal ends (130), wherein the first expansion chamber (110) generates a pressure drop in blood flow downstream of the device (100) relative to blood flow upstream of the device (100).

Abstract: Endovascular stent grafts in accordance with various embodiments include one or more channels on a main body graft, the one or more channels defining a passageway for receiving one or more branch portions for treating branch vessels. In various embodiments, the one or more channels on the main body graft may be abluminal, adluminal, or weaved, with respect to a stent structure of the main body graft.

Abstract: The present application discloses a stent-graft prosthesis and a method for navigating such stent-graft prosthesis e.g. to a branch vessel. A first stent-graft prosthesis may include a main body and at least one lateral side branch connected to the main body. A further stent-graft prosthesis according to examples has a body having a generally tubular wall structure, the wall structure of the further stent-graft prosthesis including an orifice element for receiving a guiding element. Preferably the wall structure has an overlap region for interconnection, e.g. to the first stent-graft prosthesis. The orifice element is then arranged at said overlap region, wherein said overlap region is preferably arranged at a proximal end region of said body. The guiding element preferably is a textile thread or suture thread, optionally with a radiopaque marker, such as a fiducial marker and/or a radiopaque elongate marker extending at least along a portion of a length of said guiding element.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a stent-graft system including a bifurcated stent-graft, a first bifurcating branch device, and a first branch extension. The bifurcated stent-graft includes a body, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first bifurcating branch device includes a body segment coupled to the first branch limb of the bifurcated stent-graft, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first branch extension is within the first branch limb of the first bifurcating branch device and within an external iliac artery. The first bifurcating branch device has a wide patient applicability since the treatment can be extended proximal to the anatomical iliac bifurcation and is not limited by the common iliac artery length. The stent-graft system is suitable to treat a wide range of internal and external iliac artery diameters.

Abstract: A hybrid modular endovascular graft wherein a main graft is sized to span at least a portion of a target vessel lesion in a large percentage of patients. Graft extensions may be secured to the main graft to extend the main graft and provide a sealing function for some applications.

Abstract: Absorbable implants can be used to create volume and shape in soft tissues with regenerated tissue. The implants comprise lattices formed from multiple unit cells. Unit cells can be coils or springs, skeletal polyhedrons, foams, or structures derived from mesh and fiber. The implants may be coated or filled with cells and tissues, and preferably with autologous fat graft. The implants are particularly suitable for use in plastic surgery procedures, for example, to regenerate or augment breast tissue following mastectomy or in mastopexy procedures, and can provide an alternative to the use of permanent breast implants in these procedures.

Abstract: A posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens comprising a central optical part, a peripheral haptic part comprising a plurality of support elements arranged to lie on a ciliary zonule of an eye, and at least one flexible haptic comprising a reticulated distal region arranged to lay into a ciliary sulcus of the eye.

Abstract: Devices and methods are configured to allow transcervical or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide means for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: Devices and methods are configured to allow transcervical or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide means for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are provided. A clasp or clamp is used to anchor a TR-treatment device to an existing lead of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that passes through the tricuspid valve. The TR-treatment device can be a balloon occluder that is adjustable by filling or withdrawing filler material from the occluder through a proximal port implanted in the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis includes an expandable frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. A plurality of tips extends from the proximal end of the frame for attachment to a delivery catheter. A plurality of anchors is disposed along the distal end of the frame and extend toward the proximal end for engaging tissue. An outer circumferential portion extends around the middle portion of the frame and is positioned radially outwardly of the frame. The outer circumferential portion preferably increases in diameter along a distal direction. A distal end of the outer circumferential portion is located distal of free ends of the anchors when the expandable frame is deployed. A valve body is positioned within an interior of the expandable frame and includes leaflets adapted to allow flow in a first direction and prevent flow in a second direction.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices for percutaneous replacement of native heart valves and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. A prosthetic heart valve device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an expandable support having an outer surface and configured for placement between leaflets of the native valve. The device can also include a plurality of asymmetrically arranged arms coupled to the expandable support and configured to receive the leaflets of the native valve between the arms and the outer surface. In some embodiments, the arms can include tip portions for engaging a subannular surface of the native valve.