Abstract: A cardiac valve cutter of the present disclosure has a flexible housing with a central lumen for receiving a guide wire. A high-speed cutting blade is disposed within the housing near an edge of the housing. A trough cut into a side of the housing exposes a portion of the cutting blade so that the cutting blade can cut valve tissue. Two pusher wires are disposed on an opposite side of the housing from the cutting blade. Troughs cut into the side of the housing form openings from which the pusher wires can extend. The pusher wires are staggered with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction. When the pusher wires are advanced, they extend outwardly from the troughs and can be used to stabilize the cutter at the cardiac valve and push the cutting blade against the valve on the opposite side.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a drive unit and a hub and cutting implement that may be coupled to the hub by use of a latch between the hub and the drive unit. The latch may be configured to couple with the drive unit at locations on the perimeter of the drive unit. Some embodiments of the invention also include one or both of resection controls and fluid management systems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical tool system for actuating a handpiece with a tip. The frequency of the drive signal applied to the handpiece drivers is a function of the equivalent of current through the mechanical components of the handpiece and tip and the frequency responsiveness of these components.

Abstract: A tool bit for an ultrasonic osteotome includes a bit body, an arbor fixed to the bit body, and a flat end portion fixed to the arbor. A toothed edge extends linearly along a length direction of an end portion of the tool bit, and recesses are distributed evenly on the toothed edge to form teeth spaced apart from each other. The toothed edge extends linearly along a length direction, and the cutting edges of teeth are distributed linearly, e.g., instead of having a sharp structure, thus will not scrape and hurt other tissues during cutting. Since the thickness of the cutting edge is the same as that of the back edge, when cutting bone tissues, the incision is wide, thus the end portion is not easy to be clamped by bone tissue, which effectively prevents the end portion from breaking and reduces occurrence chances of surgery accidents.

Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.

Abstract: The devices and method described herein allow for therapeutic damage to increase volume in these hyperdynamic hearts to allow improved physiology and ventricular filling and to reduce diastolic filling pressure by making the ventricle less stiff.

Abstract: A cannula and a method of using a cannula are disclosed. The cannula include a first portion having an interior lumen, a narrow portion coupled to the first portion and having an interior lumen, an expandable portion having an interior lumen and being coupled to the narrow portion, and a tip being disposed at a distal end of the expandable portion. The expandable portion is being capable of having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The interior lumens of the first portion, the narrow portion, and the expandable portion are communicatively coupled to allow passage of at least one of a fluid, a powder, a gas, an object, and a device.

Abstract: Pair of dynamic external fixation devices (100) for the reduction of fractures of bone fragments, said devices (100) being arranged on either side of a first bone portion traversed by a first pin (10) in a proximal position and a second bone portion traversed by a second pin (11) in distal position, while each of the dynamic external fixation devices (100) includes a first body (1) having a longitudinal axis profile (X, X?), having a proximal bore (5) passing through an axis (Y, Y?) in combination with the first pin (10), said first body (1) being embedded in a first coil spring (8), while said first spring (8) is nested in a second coil spring (12), mounted in conjunction with a second body mounted in conjunction on said first body (1), while the second body is mounted in conjunction with the second pin (11).

Abstract: An orthopaedic attachment device (1) which can adopt at least two positions, an inoperative position and a locked position. The orthopaedic attachment device comprises two clamps (2a, 2b) mounted opposite each other through a resilient member, and held by a clamping rod along a median axis by through-holes. Each of the clamps (2a, 2b) comprises a body part that comprises a outer jaw (4b) and an inner jaw (4a), connected by a joining wall (5), and which defines an opening that is designed to accommodate a stiffening bar or a pin via an insert. The opening extends inwards from the clamp (2a, 2b) as far as the joining wall (5) towards a passage and a hinge region. In the inoperative position, the outer jaw (4b) is fixed, whereas the inner jaw (4a) is moveable inwards towards the resilient member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical linear member includes a step of forming a first spiral body (1) whose cross-sectional shape is a substantially perfect circular shape by spirally winding a base body (3) having a plurality of arrayed wires (2) formed of a shape memory alloy, around a winding core (4), a step of performing a first shape memory process on the first spiral body (1), a step of cutting the first spiral body (1) into a first predetermined length, a step of removing the winding core (4) from the cut first spiral body (1), a step of forming a second spiral body (6) whose cross-sectional shape is a flat shape by compressing the first spiral body (1) in a diametral direction, and a step of performing a second shape memory process on the second spiral body (6).

Abstract: Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.

Abstract: A bone fastener includes a receiver defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a first wall and a second wall that define an implant cavity, each wall having a proximal face. At least one of the first wall and the second wall include an extension extending proximally from the proximal face along the longitudinal axis, the extension having a distal end integral with the proximal face and a proximal end including a first locking part configured for fixation with a second locking part of an instrument. A bone penetrating member has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the bone penetrating member being connected with the distal end of the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments, implants, and methods for surgically treating facet joints of vertebrae. An instrument may be advanced into one or more facet joints to one or both separate vertebrae and remove tissue from one or more articular processes. A stop on the instrument may be used to terminate advancement of the instrument by contacting a vertebra, and one or more implants may be placed into one or more facet joints.

Abstract: A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.

Abstract: A system to precisely contour a surgical implant based on intraoperative information is disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal repositioning instrument includes a first coupling body for direct or indirect coupling to a pedicle screw, and a second coupling body for direct or indirect coupling to another pedicle screw. The spinal repositioning instrument can perform a first movement and a second movement independent from the first movement Under the first movement, the coupling bodies perform a scissor-like pivoting about a first axis. Under the second movement, the coupling bodies rotate in opposite directions about respective second axes. The second axes are relatively fixed under the second movement. The spinal repositioning instrument can also include a synchronising transmission such that the rotations of the coupling bodies under the second movement are symmetrical to each other.

Abstract: An intramedullary pin includes a main body having a proximal boundary and a distal boundary; a curved extension having a degree of curvature of at least 1°, the curved extension being in direct contact with the distal boundary; a distal cap having a cylindrical portion and a rounded portion, the cylindrical portion being in direct contact with the curved extension; a grip element having at least one contour, the grip element being in direct contact with the proximal boundary; and a proximal cap having a flat surface, the proximal cap being in direct contact with the grip element. Also disclosed is a clamp that includes a handle, two blades, a pivot, and a plurality of grasping elements including a notch, at least one protrusion, and a groove, where one or more grasping elements have a contour that is structurally complementary to the grip element in the intramedullary pin. A method of immobilizing a bone fracture using the intramedullary pin and/or clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation plate includes a head section, a curved section, and a tail section. The head section includes one or more head apertures formed therethrough. The head apertures are configured to allow screws to respectively pass therethrough at varying angles to attach the head section to a first bone segment. The head section has a bottom surface that is configured to sit flush with the first bone segment. The curved section extends from the head section. The tail section extends from the curved section. The tail section includes one or more tail apertures formed therethrough. The tail apertures are configured to allow screws to respectively pass therethrough at varying angles to attach the tail section to a second bone segment.

Abstract: An improved posterior acetabular wall fracture buttress plate has a buttress plate having a pair of arms extending from a main plate. The main plate is pre-contoured with a concavity contoured to mimic a hip socket contour posteriorly along an undersurface, the arms being 1.0 cm or less wide and bent lengthwise off horizontal about 38 degrees plus or minus 8 degrees to mimic a curvature of the hip to yield an angle on the undersurface of 142 degrees plus or minus 8 degrees. This is a stand-alone buttress plate intended to accomplish a buttress effect similar to previous art of 2-3 pelvic plates.

Abstract: An adjustable, knotless button/loop construct for fixation of ankle syndesmosis tibio-fibular diastasis and an associated method of ankle repair using the same. The knotless construct comprises a pair of buttons attached to a flexible, continuous, self-cinching, adjustable loop integrated with two splices that are interconnected. The knotless construct is passed through fibular and tibia tunnels and the buttons are secured on the cortical surfaces of tibia and fibula. One of the buttons (for example, an oblong button) is secured on the medial side of the tibia by passing the button and the flexible, adjustable loop though the fibular and tibia tunnels and then flipping and seating the button outside the tibia. The length of the flexible adjustable loop is adjusted so that the second button (for example, a round button) is appropriately secured on the lateral fibula.

Abstract: An anchor device for use in sacroiliac joint stabilization comprises a housing having one or more apertures; one or more engagement members at least partially disposed in the housing, where at least one of the one or more engagement members is movable between a retracted position and an extended position such that, when in the extended position, the at least one of the one or more engagement members extends through at least one of the one or more apertures; wherein, when in the extended position, the at least one of the one or more engagement members is configured to move to the extended position within cancellous bone of a sacrum; and wherein the anchor device comprises a continuous channel extending from a first end of the anchor device to a second end of the anchor device, the channel being configured to receive a guidewire.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a receiving part having a longitudinal axis, a channel for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for pivotably holding a head of a bone anchoring element, and a pressure member configured to be positioned in the receiving part and to exert pressure onto the head to lock the head in the receiving part. The pressure member includes a pressure exerting surface and a deformable portion having a free end, wherein the deformable portion is configured to assume at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The polyaxial bone anchoring device further includes a locking member configured to be inserted into the channel and to exert a force onto the deformable portion.

Abstract: A method of creating a lesion in cardiac tissue where the method includes deploying a distal treatment section of an ablation catheter into a heart chamber and manipulating the distal treatment section against the cardiac tissue and into a curved shape that encloses a plurality of vessel entries in the heart chamber. The method further includes commencing a first application of ablation energy from the distal treatment section to the cardiac tissue and halting the first application of ablation energy to the cardiac tissue. The first application of ablation energy causes formation of a first continuous lesion in the cardiac tissue that encloses the plurality of vessel entries.

Abstract: The fluid connecting system comprises a connecting piece (16) that consists of a single injection-molded part of plastic material, said part accommodating a coaxial first fluid conveying arrangement (15), as well as an also coaxial second fluid conveying arrangement (17) and providing several adhesive reservoirs that allow a pressure-resistant gluing of the two fluid conveying arrangements (15, 17) to each other by a reliable safe process.

Abstract: A method for cryogenically treating tissue. A connection is detected between a probe having a disposable secure processor (DSP) to a handpiece having a master control unit (MCU) and a handpiece secure processor (HSP), the probe having at least one cryogenic treatment applicator. The probe is fluidly coupled to a closed coolant supply system within the handpiece via the connection. An authentication process is initiated between the DSP and the HSP using the MCU. As a result of the authentication process, one of at least two predetermined results is determined, the at least two predetermined results being that the probe is authorized and non-authorized.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprises: an elongated catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis; a distal member disposed adjacent the distal end, the distal member including an ablation element to ablate a biological member; one or more acoustic transducers disposed in the distal member and each configured to direct an acoustic signal toward a respective target ablation region and receive reflection echoes therefrom; and an acoustic redirection member disposed in the distal member to at least partially redirect the acoustic signal from at least one of the acoustic transducers toward a tissue target. The distal member includes a most-distal portion, a proximal portion, and a deflectable portion between the most-distal portion and proximal portion to permit deflection between the most-distal portion and proximal portion of the distal member. The transducers and redirection member are mounted on opposite sides of the deflectable portion.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

Abstract: Ablation systems are provided. Methods of using the systems to ablate tissue are also provided. The ablation systems can include a first guide needle and a second guide needle, and the methods can include securing the tissue and guiding the ablation system into the tissue for the ablation, the securing and the guiding facilitated by the first guide needle and the second guide needle. The dual coil ablation systems can also include a phase-offset between the coils to achieve a significant and surprising enhancement to the energy density provided by the systems, and the uniformity of ablation provided by the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for discriminating biological tissue, and a surgical apparatus using the same, the biological tissue discriminating method being capable of exactly discriminating the biological tissue by measuring an impedance value per frequency, teaching the measured impedance value per frequency in a single classifier according to learning algorithms that are different from one another having the measured impedance value per frequency as an input variable to discriminate the biological tissue, and re-teaching the biological tissue discriminated from each single classifier in a meta classifier to finally discriminate the biological tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a digestive-tract treatment method including: pulling, inside a digestive tract (A), an end portion of a first wall portion (A1) positioned at a rim of a treatment target site (B), and moving the first wall portion (A1) to a position on a second wall portion (A2) on an opposite side of the treatment target site (B) from the first wall portion (A1); and joining the first wall portion (A1) and the second wall portion (A2) in a state in which the first wall portion (A1) and the second wall portion (A2) are layered.

Abstract: The invention is a system for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation. The system includes a controller configured to selectively control energy emission from an electrode array of an ablation device based on ablation feedback received during an ablation procedure with the ablation device. The controller is configured to receive feedback data from one or more sensors during the ablation procedure, the feedback data comprising one or more measurements associated with at least one of operation of the electrode array of the ablation device and tissue adjacent to the electrode array. The controller is further configured to generate an ablation pattern for controlling energy emission from the electrode array of the ablation device in response to the received feedback data.

Abstract: A multi-probe system and a method of lesioning for targeting a region of a vertebral body are disclosed. The method includes inserting a first introducer assembly into a first target location of the vertebral body to provide a first trajectory to access the vertebral body, the first introducer assembly including a first cannula. The method also includes inserting a second introducer assembly into a second target location of the vertebral body to provide a second trajectory to access the vertebral body, the second introducer assembly including a second cannula. The method further includes inserting a first bipolar probe through the first cannula of the first introducer assembly, the first bipolar probe including a first active tip at a distal end of the first bipolar probe, the first active tip including at least two electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port, through which a device, for example, a wire, may be advanced, and a vestibule in the outer surface of the catheter at the distal edge of the side-port. The vestibule is operable for providing a gap between the catheter body and a distal tip of the device positioned through the side-port whereby the vestibule facilitates advancement of the device 5 through the side-port and through tissue towards a desired trajectory. In examples wherein the device is a wire having a distal tip electrode, energy may be delivered to a tissue adjacent the side-port, while avoiding damage to a wall of the catheter body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for an optical assembly for a laser generator comprise: a laser source producing a first beam of light and an optical assembly. The optical assembly comprises a prism. The prism has a bottom surface configured to receive a first beam at an incoming angle of incidence relative to a first surface normal, and a hypotenuse surface configured to transmit, at an exit angle relative to a second surface normal, a second beam having a second aspect ratio. The optical assembly further comprises a plano-convex lens configured to transmit the second beam to a coupler. The coupler comprises a first coupling plane at a first distance from the plano-convex lens and a second coupling plane at a second distance from the plano-convex lens. The combination of the prism and the plano-convex lens is configured to change the beam divergence, so that the first coupling plane has a third aspect ratio and the second coupling plane has a fourth aspect ratio.

Abstract: An interactive placement of a digital representation of a surgical device or anatomic feature into a radiologic 3D medical image that contains a feature of interest is described. Integration of the digital representation of the surgical device or anatomic feature with the radiologic 3D medical image facilitates pre-operative surgical planning and surgical device selection. Location indicators, annotations, and registration markers may be overlaid on selected volume images.

Abstract: A system and device (110) for determining bone laxity. For example, the system includes a tracked probe (300) comprising at least one probe marker (310) and a computer assisted surgical (CAS) system (100). The CAS system includes a navigation system (130) and a processing device (110) operably connected to the navigation system and a computer readable medium configured to store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to receive location information from the navigation system, generate (820) a surgical plan comprising a post-operative laxity assumption (720), collect (850) first motion information related to movement of the joint through a first range of motion, collect (860) second motion information related to movement of the joint through a second range of motion, determine (870) a post-operative laxity (710), and compare the post-operative laxity and the post-operative laxity assumption to determine laxity results.

Abstract: A system and device (110) for determining bone laxity. For example, the system includes a tracked probe (300) comprising at least one probe marker (310) and a computer assisted surgical (CAS) system (100). The CAS system includes a navigation system (130) and a processing device (110) operably connected to the navigation system and a computer readable medium configured to store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to receive location information from the navigation system, generate (820) a surgical plan comprising a post-operative laxity assumption (720), collect (850) first motion information related to movement of the joint through a first range of motion, collect (860) second motion information related to movement of the joint through a second range of motion, determine (870) a post-operative laxity (710), and compare the post-operative laxity and the post-operative laxity assumption to determine laxity results.

Abstract: A system includes a dilation catheter and a guide member. The dilation catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a dilator, a navigation sensor, and a force sensor. The dilator is positioned proximal to the distal end and is configured to transition between a non-dilated configuration and a dilated configuration. The navigation sensor is positioned distal to the dilator and is configured to cooperate with a guidance system and thereby provide signals indicating a position of the dilation catheter in three-dimensional space. The force sensor is positioned distal to the dilator and is configured to provide signals indicating a force encountered by the force sensor. The dilation catheter is configured to slide relative to the guide member. A distal portion of the guide member is sized and configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A method for computer-assisted orthopedic feedback of at least one surgical tool relative a pre-operative plan, wherein the surgical tool is moveable relative to an anatomy of a patient during surgery, including providing the pre-operative plan including a planned position and orientation of an implant relative to a virtual model of the anatomy. Further including obtaining a position of the patient structure and at least one surgical tool using a navigation system, and registering the anatomy to the model of the anatomy. Further including tracking a current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool and the anatomy of the patient using the navigation system, and providing feedback of the current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool relative to the planned position and orientation of the implant based on the tracked current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a controller of a teleoperated surgical system a first signal indicating that a surgical instrument is in an installed position at a patient side cart of the teleoperated surgical system, receiving at the controller a second signal indicating that the surgical instrument is in a flux connection state, and outputting a signal via the controller to provide feedback indicating that the surgical instrument is in the flux connection state. A system for detecting an operative condition of a surgical instrument of a teleoperated surgical system includes a surgical instrument comprising a housing for coupling the surgical instrument in an installed position at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system, the housing comprising a connector feature. A flux transmission conduit is engageable with the connector feature to place the surgical instrument in a flux connection state.

Abstract: A docking system for a mechanical telemanipulator is provided, optionally to be used with a mechanical telemanipulator with a master-slave configuration. The docking system is configured to allow for safe and secure immobilization of a handle or master manipulator of a mechanical telemanipulator with a master-slave configuration so as to prevent movement of a slave manipulator or instrument. While the docking element can be deployed on any mechanical telemanipulator, it can advantageously be used on a surgical platform comprising a mechanical telemanipulator with a master-slave configuration. In this context, the docking system can be used to secure the handle portion or master manipulator of the surgical platform to safely prevent undesirable movement of a slave manipulator or surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system and process is provided for dynamically positioning or repositioning a robot in a surgical context based on workspace and task requirements, manipulator requirements, or user preferences to execute a surgical plan. The system and method accurately determines and indicates an optimal position for a robot with respect to a patient's anatomy before or during a surgical procedure. Optimal positions for a robot are intuitively indicated to a user, surgical procedures can illustratively include surgery to the knee joint, hip joint, spine, shoulder joint, elbow joint, ankle joint, jaw, a tumor site, joints of the hand or foot, and other appropriate surgical sites.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly (100) includes a support (104), one macro-positioning arm (30), connected to the support (104) and having a plurality of degrees of freedom. The macro-positioning arm (30) includes a support member (38), at least two micro-positioning devices (41, 141, 241, 341), each having a plurality of motorized degrees of freedom, connected in cascade to the support member (38) of the macro-positioning arm (30), and at least two medical instruments (60, 160, 260, 360). Each instrument is connected in cascade to each of the micro-positioning device and includes a jointed device (70, 170, 270) having a plurality of motorized degrees of freedom including a plurality of rotational joints. Each of the at least two medical instruments (60, 160, 260, 360) has a shaft (65), suitable for distancing the jointed device from the micro-positioning devices by a predetermined distance in a shaft direction (X-X).

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an articulated end-effector, such as a dissector, scissor or grasper, to enhance a surgeon's performance during various surgical procedures. The longitudinal axis of the instrument is defined by a shaft, which may be inserted into a surgical incision or trocar in a body of a patient. The articulated end-effector is mounted on the distal extremity of the instrument shaft and comprises a plurality of links interconnected by a plurality of joints, whose movements are remotely actuated by the surgeon's hands. This remote actuation is accomplished through mechanical transmission, mainly along flexible elements, which are able to deliver motion from a set of actuation elements, placed at a proximal extremity of the shaft, to the instrument's articulated end-effector.

Abstract: A medical manipulator includes: an elongated flexible portion configured to be inserted into a body; an end effector disposed on a distal end of the elongated flexible portion; a proximal portion coupled to a proximal end of the elongated flexible portion, the proximal portion being configured to generate power for actuating the end effector; at least two wires configured to transmit the power to the end effector; at least two sheaths configured to form a path of each of the wires within the elongated flexible portion; and a rotating mechanism configured such that either a distal end or a proximal end of each of the sheaths rotates relative to the elongated flexible portion about a longitudinal axis of the elongated flexible portion.

Abstract: A foot-operated controller includes a base configured to rest on a floor surface, and a movable contact surface coupled to the base. The contact surface includes an anterior region to support a toe region and a posterior region to support a heel region, and is configured to roll about a roll axis in response to inversion or eversion of a foot engaged with the contact surface, pitch about a pitch axis in response to plantar flexion or dorsiflexion of the foot, and yaw about a yaw axis in response to abduction or adduction of the foot. The roll, pitch, and yaw axes intersect at a point superior to the contact surface, and may align with the operator's ankle.

Abstract: A tray for a soft tissue cutting device includes a housing slot for removably housing the soft tissue cutting device prior to use and a priming slot for receiving the soft tissue cutting device during a priming procedure. The priming slot allows connection of the soft tissue cutting device to a priming syringe for priming the soft tissue cutting device. The tray also includes a safety slot for testing whether the soft tissue cutting device is primed for use and a sterile cover connectable to the tray. The sterile cover substantially encloses the tray when it is connected thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting deformation of an elongate body may comprise a light source configured to sequentially provide light of multiple frequencies, an optical receiver configured to receive light from the light source, and a filter disposed between the light source and the optical detector. The filter may comprise multiple segments, each of the segments configured to filter light at one of the frequencies so as to alter the amount of light incident on said optical receiver. A total amount of light detected by the optical receiver may change during the sequence so as to be indicative of deformation of the elongate body.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and apparatus of surgical instruments engineered for integration with robotic surgical systems to enhance precision in surgical procedures. Also described herein are methods of using such surgical instruments in performing surgical procedures. The use of such surgical instruments reduce complications arising from misalignment during surgery. The disclosed technology assists in stages of a surgical procedure that require a precise trajectory to be followed. Surgical instrument guides are attached to a universal surgical instrument guide, which is engineered to attach directly or indirectly with a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system. Surgical instruments can then be precisely guided along an axis defined by the universal surgical instrument guide. Individual instruments are easily inserted and removed from the channel of the universal surgical instrument guide, thus allowing a range of instruments to be used throughout a procedure while maintaining the surgical trajectory.

Abstract: A surgical headlight system has a headlamp. The surgical headlight system can further include a headwear structure, configured to be worn on a surgeon's head during surgery, supporting the headlamp. The surgical headlight system can further include a video camera configured to record surgery. The headlamp, the headwear structure and the video camera all have an exterior surface. An antimicrobial coating is applied to the exterior surface of the headlamp, the exterior surface of the video camera, and/or the exterior surface of the headwear structure. The antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The antimicrobial coating imparts antimicrobial properties onto the exterior surface to which it is applied, such as the exterior surface of the headlamp.