Abstract: A sterile barrier system for a robotic surgery apparatus can include a drape coupler. The drape coupler can include an external surface configured to face a first surface of a first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus. The drape coupler can include at least one drape coupler fastener positioned at least partially on the external surface and configured to removably attach the drape coupler to the first surface. The drape coupler can be configured to at least partially cover the first surface. The system can include a drape made of a flexible material and coupled to the drape coupler, the drape configured to wrap around a second surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus, the second surface different from the first surface. The drape coupler and the drape can be sterile.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Abstract: An instrument adapter for a robotic surgery apparatus can include an adapter housing configured to receive and support an actuator housing of a surgical instrument. The actuator housing can include a plurality of surgical instrument actuators. The adapter can include a plurality of interface actuators configured to engage with the plurality of instrument actuators of the actuator housing and cause movement of the instrument actuators. Movement of the instrument actuators can cause movement of an end effector of the surgical instrument. The instrument adapter can be configured to facilitate the actuator housing of the surgical instrument to transition from a first orientation in which the interface actuators are not engaged with the instrument actuators of the surgical instrument to a second orientation in which the interface actuators are engaged with the instrument actuators.

Abstract: A sterile barrier for a robotic surgery apparatus can include a drape made of a flexible material. The drape can include a first surface configured to face a component of the robotic surgery apparatus and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface can be sterile and configured to provide a sterile barrier for the component. The sterile barrier can include a first pair of pockets positioned along a first edge of the second surface and configured to receive hands of a user. The first pair of pockets can be configured to facilitate positioning of the sterile barrier on the component.

Abstract: A robotic surgery apparatus can include a component including a housing with an external surface. The apparatus can include a plurality of component fasteners positioned on the external surface of the housing. The plurality of component fasteners can be configured to couple with a plurality of drape fasteners of a sterile drape. The sterile drape can be configured to cover a portion of the surface of the housing and to provide a sterile barrier for the portion of the surface. A number of component fasteners in the plurality of component fasteners can exceed a number of drape fasteners in the plurality of drape fasteners, permitting the drape to be positioned on the housing of the component in a plurality of orientations and to cover a plurality of different portions of the surface of the housing. When the drape is positioned on the housing, at least one component fastener of the plurality of component fasteners may not be coupled to any of the drape fasteners of the plurality of drape fasteners.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a robotic arm cart for transporting, delivering, and securing robotic arms to a surgical table having a table top on which a patient can be disposed. The arm cart can include an arm container and a base. The arm container can be configured to receive and contain one or more robotic arms. The arm cart can include a first coupling member configured to engage with a second coupling member associated with a surgical table such that, when the first coupling member is engaged with the second coupling member, the one or more robotic arms can be releasably coupled with the surgical table. The arm cart can provide for movement of the one or more robotic arms in at least one of a lateral, longitudinal, or vertical direction relative to the table top prior to the securement of the one or more robotic arms to the surgical table.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic validation, registration correction for surgical navigation during medical procedures involving confirmation of registration between previously registered virtual objects, in a common coordinate frame of a surgical navigation system and an operating room, and intra-operatively acquired imaging during the medical procedure in the common coordinate frame. The method involves displaying intra-operatively acquired imaging of the surgical field, containing the real objects corresponding to the previously registered virtual objects, with the real objects being tracked by a tracking system.

Abstract: An instrument device manipulator (IDM) is attached to a surgical arm of a robotic system and comprises a surgical tool holder and an outer housing. The surgical tool holder includes an attachment interface that can secure a surgical tool in a front-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on a face opposite of a proximal extension of the surgical tool) or a back-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on the same face as the proximal extension of the surgical tool). The surgical tool holder may rotate continuously within the outer housing. In a back-mount configuration, the surgical tool holder may have a passage that receives the proximal extension of the tool and allows free rotation of the proximal extension about the rotational axis. A surgical drape separates the IDM and robotic arm from a tool, while allowing electrical and/or optical signals to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A bone plate for the compression of a fracture site or osteotomy of a bone includes a bone plate assembly having a plate body shaped and configured for an anatomical location on a patient. The plate body has an upper surface, a lower, bone contacting surface, medial and lateral side surfaces connecting the upper and lower surfaces and at least one screw hole extending through the plate body. The bone plate further includes an access hole extending between the upper and lower surfaces and defining an inner surface shaped to indicate the anatomical location on the patient. This configuration allows the surgeon to easily determine which bone plate should be used for the operation, thereby avoiding costly mistakes during surgery. The bone plate may further include an adjustable screw hole for repositioning the bone plate relative to the fracture site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, a cover releasably attached to the cartridge body, and a sled movable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a firing motion. The staple cartridge further comprises a first RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at a first longitudinal position, a second RFID tag affixed to the sled, wherein the proximal unfired position of the sled is at a second longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position, and a third RFID tag affixed to the cover at a third longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a controller, a staple firing system, and an RFID system is disclosed. The controller is in communication with a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader of the RFID system and the staple firing system. In various embodiments, the controller verifies the presence of the staple cartridge in the surgical instrument upon receiving the first signal from the first RFID tag. Also, in various embodiments, the controller verifies that the staple cartridge is an unfired staple cartridge upon receiving the second signal from the second RFID tag. The controller can also be configured to track the progress of the staple firing stroke through the RFID system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an RFID system is disclosed. A staple cartridge of the surgical instrument comprises one or more RFID tags which are detectable by one or more RFID readers in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector operable to treat tissue, a shaft extending proximally from the end effector, and a housing assembly extending proximally from the shaft. The housing assembly includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner and a motor-assembly compartment including a motor assembly interchangeably retained by the motor-assembly compartment in an assembled configuration. The motor assembly is movable relative to the motor-assembly compartment between the assembled configuration and an unassembled configuration. The motor assembly includes a motor configured to drive the end effector to treat the tissue and an RFID tag detectable by the RFID scanner in the assembled configuration. The RFID tag stores motor-assembly information.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a housing assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the housing assembly, at least one radio-frequency identification scanner configured to receive information from radio-frequency identification tags which correspond to components which are couplable to the surgical instrument, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine, for each component, authenticity of the component based on the information received from the radio-frequency identification tags.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed including a surgical instrument, a replaceable staple cartridge, and an RFID tag including stored information. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a sled configured to translate along an elongate slot and drive staples out of a cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The RFID tag is inoperable after a predefined action of said surgical instrument. An RFID scanner is configured to transmit a first signal to said RFID tag and receive a second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal. A controller prevents at least one operation of said surgical instrument when said RFID scanner does not receive said second signal from said RFID tag.

Abstract: A dental milling machine is provided with a tool which is guided in a chuck. A workpiece arm is mounted opposite the tool to be able to be moved at least in the direction of the spindle axis. With a control device it can be moved in relation to the workpiece, especially by means of a drive motor of the workpiece arm. The workpiece arm has an abutment element, whereby the control device moves the tool and the abutment element towards each other until they abut each other. The control device can be used to detect abutment of the abutment element with respect to the tool, in particular with respect to its tip, in particular by decelerating the (relative) movement of the tool and the abutment element towards each another, upon contact of the tool and the abutment element. This position may be signaled as a reference position and, especially may be stored.

Abstract: A new dental bur with specific dimensions that enable the bur to be used for cutting and trimming filling material under the gum tissues and between teeth. The bur includes a safe end. The bur also includes an angled flat cutting surface and an angled flat surface of the safe end.

Abstract: An orthodontic remodeling system includes an extraoral vibratory source coupled to a bite plate, where the extraoral vibratory source is operable to vibrate the bite plate at a frequency in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hz. The bite plate is configured to deliver cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches, and the bite plate and the extraoral vibratory source are held during use only by clamping with the teeth. A battery is operable to power the extraoral vibratory source, and a processor is configured to control the extraoral vibratory source. Electronic media is operable to capture data indicating usage duration and usage frequency to allow patient compliance to be determined.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for dental treatment includes an aligner or a bracket having a dimension (G, I, V) that compensates for a restorative treatment. The dimension (G, I, V) compensates for gingival alteration, hard tissue build-up, or hard tissue removal on the patient's teeth. An apparatus (10) for smile design includes a first data structure (20) that defines a digital 3-D smile template (100) of teeth arranged in accordance with predetermined criteria. A method of planning dental treatment of a patient includes superimposing a digital 3-D smile template (100) of teeth with a digital orthodontic setup (26) of a patient's teeth.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to orthodontic kits. In some embodiments, an orthodontic kit comprises a carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to house a plurality of orthodontic appliances, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and a plurality of support structures, wherein the plurality of support structures includes groups of support structures, wherein each group of support structures connects one of the plurality of orthodontic appliances to the carrier, wherein the orthodontic kit is defined by a computer data file, wherein the computer data file includes data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit including the carrier, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and the plurality of support structures.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the position of a patient's teeth includes the following steps: a) modeling a target position of the teeth in the form of a target model; b) after a time interval, modeling an updated position of the teeth in the form of an updated model; and c) comparing the target and updated models. The updated model is created by the patient himself or by one of his relations.

Abstract: Systems and methods of simulating dental treatments are disclosed. A method may include capturing a first 2D image of a patient's face, including the patient's teeth, building a parametric 3D model of the patient's teeth based on the 2D image, developing a simulated outcome of a dental treatment of the patient's teeth by rendering the 3D model with the patient's teeth in one or more positions and/or orientations corresponding to the treatment goals of the dental treatment plan, and rendering a second 2D image of the patient's face with teeth according to a simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan. As noted herein, the dental treatment plan may include orthodontic and/or restorative elements. The simulated outcome may correspond to estimated outcomes and/or intended outcomes of the dental treatment plan.

Abstract: A method of treating a maxillary deficiency in a patient in need thereof comprises coupling a first bone anchor to the buccal surface of the maxilla of the patient, coupling a second bone anchor to the buccal surface of the maxilla of the patient, attaching a device to the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor, and applying an expansion force through the device to the maxilla. A device comprises a facebow and a lateral attachment portion, coupled to the facebow. The facebow includes a first extra-oral attachment portion and a second extra-oral attachment portion, configured to be coupled to an external anchorage or protraction device, a first intra-oral attachment portion, configured to be coupled to a first bone anchor, and a second intra-oral attachment portion, configured to be coupled to a second bone anchor. The device may be coupled to an external anchorage or protraction device.

Abstract: The invention relates to mini plates and anchorages which are used in orthodontics in dentistry and which can be used in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The invention has plate socket arms with the threaded plate sockets on which the plates are fixed in the form shown in FIG. 1, and under these plate socket arms, screw sockets fixed with the multi-vectorial anchorage unit fixation of the detachable multi-vectorial anchorage unit as shown in FIG. 2. Detachable multi-vectorial anchorage units and threaded healing screws can be fixed on said screw sockets by clamping these threads.

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus includes a printed assembly conforming to the tooth with a separation line or zone defined therein having a configuration adapted to facilitate removal of the printed assembly. The separation zone or line takes the form of a slit, slot, serration, thinned indentation, a horizontal or vertical separation line or zone or a combination thereof, and an open slot defined in a cross configuration into the printed assembly with a vertical slot and intersecting horizontal slot, the vertical slot extending to the lower edge of the assembly. The assembly includes at least two separate portions, a buccal portion and a lingual portion conformed to the tooth, the separation line or zone being defined on at least one of the two separate portions. A three dimensional structural fixture may also be defined in the printed assembly for engagement with a tool.

Abstract: In a system of manufacturing an orthodontic wire, a method for manufacturing the orthodontic wire using the system, and an orthodontic wire bending machine for performing the system, the system includes a teeth data obtaining part, a simulating part, a calculating part and a wire manufacturing part. The teeth data obtaining part obtains present teeth data of a patient. The simulating part generates final teeth data. The calculating part compares a predetermined threshold to a compared value between the present teeth data of the patient and the final teeth data. The wire manufacturing part selectively manufactures a wire for an orthodontic process or a wire for a dentition maintenance process based on a compared result of the calculating part.

Abstract: A plate (30 or 40) used for installing a prefabricated prosthesis (62) on to free-hand installed implants (52) includes a plastic structure (30 or 40) shaped and configured to mate with an arch (10), a plurality of perforations in the plastic structure, and a plurality of removable panels (32 or 42) corresponding to the plurality of perforations. The plurality of removable panels are designed and configured for removal in locations corresponding to locations of the free-hand installed implants and further configured to deliver the prosthesis on to the implants using the plastic plate.

Abstract: A dental material dispensing device has a plunger means which for dispensing the dental material is movable for urging at least one component of a dental material toward a dispensing area. The device further has cure control means with an energy source and a flow path on which the dental composition and/or the dental material flows past the energy source during dispensation. The device is operable for exposing the dental composition and/or the dental material to a specific energy by control of the energy source and/or by control of the speed of the flow of the dental composition and/or the dental material on the flow path. The device is configured for dispensing a coherent strand of dental material in a dispensing cycle. The device is further configured for operating in a first dispensing mode and additionally in a second dispensing mode during the same dispensing cycle. The ratio between the specific energy in the second dispensing mode and the specific energy in the first dispensing mode is smaller than 1.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of determining a material surface from a volumetric density file includes generating a density frequency distribution of a volumetric density file of a dental impression and determining an iso-value of density between air and a particular material in the density frequency distribution. A computer-implemented method and system of creating a digital model from a CT scan of a physical dental impression includes selecting an iso-value of density for a digital volumetric density file having one or more voxels, generating one or more digital surface points in virtual 3D space for each of one or more voxels, and selecting a subset of digital surface points from the one or more digital surface points. A computer-implemented method and system of optimizing a digital surface includes moving one or more digital surface points to satisfy a criteria of optimum digital surface selection.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of automatically detecting and removing extraneous material from a digital dental impression includes detecting one or more dental features in a digital dental impression, filtering the one or more dental features, digitally joining the one or more dental features, and determining one or more regions of interest from the joined one or more digital dental features.

Abstract: A processing device receive intraoral scan data comprising a plurality of intraoral images of a dental site generated during scanning of the dental site by an intraoral scanner, one or more ink markings or other non-rigid indicia having been applied to the dental site prior to the scanning of the dental site, wherein at least two intraoral images of the plurality of intraoral images comprise representations of the one or more ink markings or other non-rigid indica.

Abstract: An articulator having a maxillary member and a mandibular member, which are connected to each other via condylar articulations, wherein a maxillary adaptor is attachable or attached at the maxillary member and a mandibular adaptor at the mandibular member, wherein a maxillary alignment member especially is form-fittingly connected to the maxillary adaptor and a mandibular alignment member is especially form-fittingly connected with the mandibular adaptor, and wherein the alignment members are automatically alignable to each other and comprising scanning members, by means of which the arrangement of alignment members and adaptors is scannable in a scanner and especially the relative position thereof moreover is detectable in relation to the articulator via the scanner.

Abstract: A method for producing an adaptive element for dental implantation includes: obtaining images of a tooth and creating a 3D model based thereon; obtaining a boundary curve on the 3D model between crown and root parts thereof; defining a cutting line on the root part perpendicular to an axis of the 3D model and spaced apart from the boundary curve; extracting a sub-model from the 3D model with reference to the boundary curve and the cutting line; forming a tubular model from the sub-model by removing all that corresponds to the crown part and hollowing out the sub-model such that the tubular model has a predetermined thickness in radial directions transverse to the axis; and producing the adaptive element according to the tubular model.

Abstract: A method for designing and manufacturing implant based restorations is disclosed. The method involves the use of Scannable Temporary Anatomic References to provide very reliable, fixed points of reference to enable a technician to relate and superimpose the dental implant position to a pre-planned restoration with a very high degree of accuracy throughout the entire workflow. The method can be carried out by placing Scannable Temporary Anatomic References in a jaw, on teeth, and/or in implants, collecting images by scanning a mouth, relating those images to images of a appearance of desired dental implant based restoration, placing an implant in the jaw, scanning the scannable temporary anatomic references to create a new set of images, relating the images, and producing a restoration based on the images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a dental composite blank, including (a) placing a composite paste in a mold, (b) pressurizing the composite paste placed in the mold at a first pressure (P1), (c) pressurizing the composite paste placed in the mold at a second pressure (P2), and (d) curing the pressurized composite paste, in which each of steps (b) and (c) is performed once or multiple times, and the first pressure (P1) is less than or greater than the second pressure (P2). The dental composite blank and the method of manufacturing the same are effective at dispersing a non-dispersed filler and removing bubbles, thus improving mechanical properties, through repeated pressurization at different pressures before curing the composite paste.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an implant (10) within an interdental space (4) in which an interdental space brush (6) with a non-circular cross-section (15) of the brush head (7) is inserted into an interdental space (4) and moved back and forth.

Abstract: An oral irrigator handle including a housing and a first fitting, the first fitting including a first fitting inlet in fluid communication with a handle inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source and a first fitting outlet in fluid communication with the first fitting inlet. The handle includes a seal positioned around the first fitting and between the first fitting inlet and the first fitting outlet. A second fitting includes a second fitting inlet in fluid communication with the first fitting outlet and a second fitting outlet in fluid communication with the second fitting inlet. A bottom portion of the second fitting seats on a portion of the first fitting so that the seal engages an interior surface of the second fitting, a flow passage is coupled to the second fitting and in fluid communication with the second fitting outlet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing a digital dental impression includes determining one or more first digital surface regions visible from a first side of the digital dental impression along an occlusion axis and one or more second digital surface regions visible from a second side of the digital dental impression along the occlusion axis, segmenting the digital dental impression into one or more digital segments and determining the one or more digital segments as a first digital segment or a second digital segment based on the majority of digital surface regions in the one or more digital segments.

Abstract: An occlusion control system and a corresponding method for occlusion control, in which dimensional data of a digital upper and lower jaw model are stored on a data processing and control device, an upper jaw representative model and a lower jaw representative model are manually moved relative to one another in an adjustment plane, position changes of the upper jaw representative model and the lower jaw representative model are detected. An associated relative position between the upper and lower jaw models is calculated. If, in this relative position, there is a dental arch penetration and/or a dental arch decoupling from the upper and lower jaw model, a length of at least one of at least three spacer elements between the upper jaw representative model and the lower jaw representative model is adjusted, which brings about a haptically detectable change in the representative model.

Abstract: Provided is a device that includes: a hollow needle; a fixing part that is fixed on the outer periphery of the proximal end of the needle; a connecting pipe to be attached to the protruding part that protrudes from the fixing part to the side thereof that is opposite to the needle, and that can be communicated with the needle, wherein the pipe is configured such that the distal end of the syringe can be fitted to the pipe from the side thereof that is opposite to the needle; and a holding part that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing part. The connecting pipe is configured such that a hematocrit tube can be fit to the inside of the pipe from the side thereof that is opposite to the needle.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter can include a cuff configured to surround a portion of a length of a urethra. An actuator is configured to selectively apply a force to the cuff to thereby apply variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A controller is configured to adjust the application of the force by the actuator to cause the cuff to apply the variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A sensor can be in communication with the controller and configured to detect pressure applied against the cuff by the urethra. The controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a first closing pressure to the urethra. In response to a detection of a threshold pressure increase by the sensor, the controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a second closing pressure that is greater than the first closing pressure and that prevents urine from exiting the urethra.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis and a method of attaching the prosthesis to a tissue structure disclosed. The prosthesis includes a body having a first side arranged to face the tissue structure having a defect and second side opposite the first side. One or more adhesive-filled pods are disposed on the first side of the body and selectively openable to supply an adhesive in between the tissue structure and the first side of the prosthesis body after the prosthesis body is positioned relative to the defect. The pods may be pierced, punctured, broken, and/or ruptured to supply the adhesive. A deployment device having a piercer may be used to puncture the pods.

Abstract: Methods for providing embolic protection include embolic protection devices having magnets for deploying embolic protection devices, coupling embolic protection devices together, and/or retrieving embolic protection devices.

Abstract: An endograft device includes: an expandable tubular body having an inner side and an outer side of a surrounding wall, the tubular body encloses a lumen, having a first open end and a second open end. A sheath pocket having a pocket wall longitudinally disposed along the tubular body, enclosing a channel. The sheath pocket having an input port disposed proximal to the first open end, and an output port disposed proximal to the second open end. The input port faces towards the first open end to provide an entrance to the sheath pocket. An expandable lining of wire framework, is inserted longitudinally into the lumen such that the lining of wire framework after expansion exerts an outward pressure against the inner side of the surrounding wall and against the pocket wall of the sheath pocket to naturally shut seal both the input port and the output port.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) artificial muscle valve includes a hollow CNT tube including: a plurality of CNT sheets wrapped in the form of a hollow tube; and a guest material disposed between the CNT sheets and that permeates the CNT sheets. At least one portion of the hollow CNT tube collapses in response to a pressure of a fluid in the hollow CNT tube exceeding a predetermined pressure. The at least one portion of the hollow CNT tube collapses because the at least one portion of the hollow CNT tube generates a torque non-uniformity relative of a remaining portion of the hollow CNT tube.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a first sealed flexible shell configured for implantation within a breast of a human subject, an elastic filler material contained within the first sealed flexible shell, and a second sealed flexible, inelastic shell, which is disposed within the elastic filler material inside the first sealed flexible shell and is inflated with a volume of gas. The second shell includes a material selected such that an amount of the gas escaping from the second shell does not exceed 10?8 Torr-liter/second when the gas pressure inside the second shell is 250 mbar higher than the gas pressure outside the second shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesh or membrane covering (2) based on biological material, for example collagen, or biosynthetic material for prostheses (1), in particular for a breast prosthesis (1), said prosthesis (1) having a rear surface that, when applied, is faced towards the person on whom (1) is applied, said covering (2) being characterized in that it provides a fixing system (4; 3) for fixing to said prosthesis (1), said fixing system providing a plurality of teeth or petals (4) or outer perimeter edge foldable on said rear surface of the prosthesis (1) by means (5). The invention further relates to a method for fixing said covering to a prosthesis, a prosthesis comprising said covering and a process for making said covering.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel intraocular lens compositions comprising a hydroxyl functional acrylic monomerand have a high Abbe number, minimal glistenings, and suitable mechanical properties for small incision delivery.

Abstract: An IOL injector plunger having IOL compression arms is described.

Abstract: An IOL base compression device having an IOL towing mechanism is described.