Abstract: Implant tensioning and/or implant anchor deployment devices are described. Certain embodiments may be recognized in the form of a so-called tensioning “gun.” Other embodiments take a simpler and more compact form. Various optional features are described in connection with these embodiments. Optional aspects of anchor embodiments for the subject implants are also described. Some of these features are coordinated for use with the implant tensioning and anchor deployment instrument, others are not.

Abstract: An endcap for engaging a proximal end of an intramedullary nail. The endcap includes a body extending from a first end to a second end and configured to engage a channel of an intramedullary nail. The endcap also includes a head portion at the first end of the body. The head portion includes a recess sized and shaped to receive a driving element of a drive shaft. The recess includes elastic tabs extending radially toward a central axis of the recess to engage and retain a driving element received therein.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical instrument is provided. The method comprises connecting a part with a first member, the first member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including at least one mating surface disposed a selected distance from the distal end for engagement with a navigation component, the part having an opening and the distal end being inserted through the opening and translated to a selected position with the first member. Systems, spinal constructs and implants are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a universal pedicle screw removal tool comprising a tapered shaft having an “L” shaped tip on one end and a generally square head on an opposite end. A lower section leads to a tapered section which is connected to a handle. The handle may include a set of serrations to provide increased grip. The handle is connected to the head. The tip is sized to engage the channel of a tuliped pedicle screw while the head is sized to engage a ratchet or other torque producing tool. In an alternate embodiment, the tip is “T” shaped. In another alternate embodiment, the handle section includes opposing members extending from the shaft to form a “T” shaped handle. In use, the tip is inserted into the channel of a tuliped pedicle screw while the shaft is rotated to unscrew the pedicle screw from a patient's bone.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating the position of an implantable medical device. In some embodiments the tool includes a readily releasable grasping feature that securely couples the implant to the tool while the implant is being manipulated. Preferably, the user can simply release the implant from the tool. The tool in other embodiments includes an internal pathway for accommodating non-linear implants, such as curved rods, wires, or nails. In yet other embodiments the tool has multiple handles, each handle being adapted and configured to permit manipulation of the implant in a single predetermined orientation, but with alternative handles for grasping in different hand orientations. Still further embodiments pertain to a kit having a tool and a plurality of collets, each collet being adapted and configured to grasp a different size of implant, but each collet having identical tool coupling features such that any collet in the kit can be used with the single tool.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode for a prostate surgery and a using method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of medical apparatus and instruments. The electrode includes an electrode body, and the electrode body is provided with a concave arc surface and a convex arc surface; the electrode body includes a base body, an anterior resecting portion and a posterior resecting portion. The electrode has functions of being enucleatable and resectable, and also has a function of enlarging a hemostatic area, and is capable of improving the hemostatic effect and improving the hemostatic efficiency, thereby the efficiency of the surgery may be improved, the operation difficulty and risk of the surgery are reduced, the bleeding and injury of a patient during the prostate surgery are also reduced at the same time, the safety and success rate of the prostate surgery are improved, and the patients are benefited.

Abstract: Liners for cryogenic treatment systems are described where a cryogenic fluid or gas may be introduced into a liner expanded within a body lumen such as the uterine cavity. The liner may be intentionally sized to be substantially larger than the typical size of the uterine cavity, e.g., 1.2 times (or more), greater than the size of the uterine cavity into which the liner is inserted. Because the liner is sized intentionally larger than the body lumen to be treated, the liner may never fully expand when deployed. But even with folds or portions of the liner being folded upon itself, the liner may remain sufficiently supple such that the resulting uncontrolled folds allow for complete conformance of the liner against the anatomy of the contacted tissue.

Abstract: Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an elongated shaft having distal portion and a supply lumen along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site proximate a renal artery or renal ostium. The supply lumen can be configured to receive a liquid refrigerant. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a cooling assembly at the distal portion of the shaft. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when the cooling assembly is in a deployed state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled or room temperature fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus with a retractable blade for use in cold plasma applications, electrosurgical cutting and mechanical cutting is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus employs a tip of the retractable blade as a sharp conductive point to generate a plasma beam or discharge. When the blade is retracted within the electrosurgical apparatus, it is electrically energized while an inert gas flows over it, producing a cold plasma discharge. In the de-energized state, the blade is advanced and used as a traditional, mechanical surgical blade.

Abstract: A surgical end effector may comprise first and second jaw members. The second jaw member may comprise an offset proximal supply electrode that is positioned to contact an opposing member of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. The second jaw member may also comprise a distal supply electrode that is positioned distal of the offset proximal electrode and is aligned with a conductive surface of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. When the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, the proximal supply electrode may be in contact with the opposing member and the distal supply electrode is not in contact with the conductive surface of the first jaw member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, an end effector, and an evacuation port. The elongated shaft extends distally from the handle assembly and includes an outer wall. The end effector is coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The evacuation port is configured for fluid communication with a suction device. A portion of the evacuation port is disposed within the outer wall of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument that includes an end effector having a first jaw, a second jaw that is movable relative to the first jaw, and at least one electrode in the first jaw. The surgical instrument also includes a control circuit configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode and a electrical conductor electrically connected between the end effector and the control circuit. The control circuit includes a shaft control segment and an electrosurgical energy control segment. The shaft control segment is configured to provide a control signal for operating the end effector to the end effector through the electrical conductor. The electrosurgical energy control segment is configured to provide the electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for puncturing a target tissue. Apparatus includes an elongate puncture device having a tip electrode that is configured for collecting EGMs and for delivering energy for puncturing the target tissue. The method comprising collecting EGMs to indirectly measure and monitor a pressure applied against the target tissue by the elongate puncture device, thereby confirming a position of the tip electrode of the elongate puncture device relative to the target tissue.

Abstract: A tissue resection device includes an elongate shaft having a ceramic working end with a window and a wire-like electrode. A motor oscillates the electrode back and forth in an arc between opposing sides of the window. The working end is engaged against a tissue surface while radiofrequency current is delivered to the wire-like electrode to cut tissue received within the window. A negative pressure source may be connected to the window through an interior passageway in the elongate shaft to extract cut tissue from the working end.

Abstract: A probe that is particularly usable as a radio frequency ablation probe and comprises an inner cooling in order to keep the at least one electrode at the tissue wet and to avoid excessive heating. In the area of the electrode the hose wall of the hose supporting the electrode comprises an increased heat conductivity, whereas apart from that it has a comparably low heat conductivity outside of the electrode carrying distal end section. The increase of the heat conductivity in the distal end section can be achieved by reduction of the wall thickness, by selection of a suitable plastic, by arrangement of heat transfer bodies in the hose wall or by a combination of two or more of these features.

Abstract: An ablation catheter configured to ablate tissue in a lung of a patient including: a flexible shaft that advances endobronchially into an airway of the lung and has an outer diameter of 2.0 mm or less; an ablation electrode attached to a distal portion of the flexible shaft and to deliver radiofrequency (RF) electrical current to the tissue and conductively connectable to an RF electrical energy source external to the patient; wherein an outer diameter of an assembly of the flexible shaft and the ablation electrode is no greater than 2.0 mm; a liquid outlet on the distal portion and configured to be in fluid communication with a source of hypertonic saline solution; and a first occluder attached to the flexible shaft proximal to the ablation electrode and proximal to the liquid outlet, wherein the first occluder is configured to expand to occlude the airway.

Abstract: A single non-thermal atmospheric plasma generation device is used to detect and analyze vital fields of a living subject to determine the presence of a condition, such as an illness or injury, and responsively modify characteristics of the plasma to treat, heal, or alleviate the condition. The device includes a capacitance dielectric discharge array of plasma emitters, and a controller having a power supply, a transformer, and circuit components for driving the transformer at a resonant frequency of the plasma emitters to cause the plurality of plasma emitters to ionize surrounding air and produce the non-thermal plasma. The resonant frequency is around 60 GHz and harmonics thereof. A receiver of the device recovers frequency mixing products from the plasma, which are extracted by signal processing circuitry; signals in the VHF and UHF bands are extracted and analyzed to determine whether signatures of particular vital fields are present.

Abstract: A flexible instrument comprises an antenna having a distal tip portion, a proximal base, and an antenna body therebetween. The antenna body comprises a patterned cylindrical structure having a proximal end coupled to the proximal base and a distal end coupled to the distal tip portion. The flexible instrument is configured to generate a radiation pattern from the antenna to ablate tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating anatomical features in the skin based on analysis of reflected light, and treating the located anatomical features using high-energy light. A labeling agent can be administered to optically differentiate the anatomical feature.

Abstract: A detection system includes: at least one light source that outputs a plurality of test beams input to a proximal end portion side of an optical fiber and having different wavelengths and providing different bending losses of the optical fiber; at least one reflector that reflects each of the test beams propagating through the optical fiber, on a distal end portion side of the optical fiber; a plurality of light receiving units that receive a plurality of reflected beams each being a beam reflected by the at least one reflector, on the proximal end portion side; and a determination unit that, based on information about the reflected beams at the plurality of light receiving units, compares the information about the reflected beams with reference set values.

Abstract: A method for providing clinical support for surgical guidance during robotic surgery.

Abstract: An anatomy simulator can include a guide body having one or more faces. The anatomy simulator can include a first simulator socket forming a recess in a first face of the one or more faces. The first simulator socket can be configured to receive a first plate. The first simulator socket can include a first base portion. The anatomy simulator can include a bore extending from the base portion of the first simulator socket to an interior of the anatomy simulator. The bore can be configured to receive an alignment mechanism. The first base portion can be angled at a first angle with respect to the first face.

Abstract: Surgical guidance systems and methods visually mark a structure of interest (SOI) of an organ on intraoperative images captured by a locatable imaging device. A location of the SOI relative to a body structure (e.g., a passageway system) associated with the organ is determined in a preoperative image that is captured by a medical diagnostic imaging (MDI) system. The location of the SOI relative to the body structure in the preoperative image is then mapped onto a reconstructed version of the body structure based on location information provided by localization sensors distributed on the body structure. An intraoperative image taken by the locatable imaging device is aligned with the reconstructed version of the body structure and an image object representing the SOI is overlaid on the intraoperative image at a location that is mapped from the reconstructed version of the body structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems for surgical navigation, the system comprising a tracking array attachable to a medical instrument, an image capturing device, and a navigation system that communicates with the image capturing device and generates tracking information of the medical device.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly including a handle assembly having a first handle portion and a second handle portion proximate the second end, wherein the second handle portion is slidably engaged with the first handle portion. A first localization element is attached to the first handle portion and a second localization element is attached to the second handle portion. A medical instrument is mechanically coupled to the second handle portion and a translation of the second handle portion with respect to the first handle portion causes a coincident and coextensive translation of the medical instrument. The amount of translation of the medical instrument is adapted to be determined by calculating the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. The first and second localization elements may be electromagnetic sensors which positions may be determined by a navigation system.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical tool, a tracking system configured to obtain tracking data indicative of positions of the surgical tool relative to an anatomical feature, an acoustic device, and a computer system programmed to control the acoustic device to provide acoustic feedback to a user based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a minimally invasive cutting instrument includes a surgical cutting instrument. The surgical cutting instrument includes a drive unit, an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, and a garage for housing the cutting blade when the cutting blade is not in use. The end effector includes gripping jaws and a cutting blade. To perform a cutting operation, the instrument extends the cutting blade from a first position to a second position, retracts the cutting blade from the second position to a third position between the first and second positions, and further retracts the cutting blade to the first position. While the cutting blade is not in use, the cutting blade is maintained in the first position using a restraining mechanism in the drive unit, force or torque applied by a motor or other active actuator to the drive unit, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile interface device to control a robotically-assisted surgical system. The mobile interface device provides a surgeon with a direct view of the surgical robotic system and allows a surgeon to easily and intuitively select, control, or manipulate various target components of the surgical robotic system. The mobile interface device may capture a live image of the surgical robotic system to automatically identify a robotic arm that appears in the center of the captured live image as the target component selected by the surgeon. Based on the current pose or position of the target component, the mobile interface device may generate a list of target poses and control options. The surgeon may select a control option to select a target pose and to manipulate the target component to command a robotically-assisted movement of the selected robotic arm from the current pose to the target pose.

Abstract: A system for controlling a robotic tool includes a memory that stores instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the system to perform a process that includes monitoring sequential motion of tissue in a three-dimensional space. The process also includes projecting locations and corresponding times when the tissue will be at projected locations in the three-dimensional space. An identified location of the tissue in the three-dimensional space is identified based on the projected locations. A trajectory of the robotic tool is set to meet the tissue at the identified location at a projected time corresponding to the identified location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for kinematic optimization with shared robotic degrees-of-freedom are provided. In one aspect, a robotic medical system includes a base, an adjustable arm support coupled to the base, and at least one robotic arm coupled to the adjustable arm support. The at least one robotic arm is further configured to be coupled to a medical tool that is configured to be delivered through an incision or natural orifice of a patient. The system further includes a processor configured to adjust a position of the adjustable arm support and the at least one robotic arm while maintaining a remote center of movement of the tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robotic surgical system is provided, where the robotic surgical system including an arm having an instrument with jaws and an access port each coupled to the arm. The method includes detecting a position of the instrument, and opening the jaws of the instrument, in response to a determination that a distance between the position of the instrument and a position of the access port is greater than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driving a flexible medical instrument to a target in an anatomical space with robotic assistance are described herein. The flexible instrument may have a tracking sensor embedded therein. An associated robotic control system may be provided, which is configured to register the flexible instrument to an anatomical image using data from the tracking sensor and identify one or more movements suitable for navigating the instrument towards an identified target. In some embodiments, the robotic control system drives or assists in driving the flexible instrument to the target.

Abstract: A medical instrument can include alignment and attachment mechanisms for aligning and attaching the medical instrument to another device, such as an adapter on an instrument drive mechanism. For example, a medical system can include a medical instrument having an instrument handle and an elongated body. The system can include an alignment mechanism configured to provide rotational alignment between the medical instrument and an adapter. The system can also include an attachment mechanism configured to secure the medical instrument to the adapter. The attachment mechanism can include at least three locking elements positioned circumferentially about the axis.

Abstract: A method and system for use in surgery, which includes a grasper having a jaw, and a grasper housing having a proximal end and distal end and defining a docking opening, and a tool having a tool housing having a proximal end, a distal end and defining an inner surface, and a robotic device operably coupled to the proximal end of the grasper housing, and configured to actuate the jaw of the grasper. The tool housing having an operative assembly at the distal end of the tool housing, and the tool housing defining a docking assembly at the proximal end of the tool housing. The operative assembly having a fulcrum operably coupled to the tool housing, a first lever operably connected to the fulcrum, an instrument operably coupled to the first lever, and an actuator operably coupled to the tool housing and the first lever.

Abstract: A surgical sponge inventory rack includes a vertical mounting rod, a laterally extending sponge bag holder connected to the mounting rod, and a sponge bag supported on the sponge bag holder. The sponge bag includes a pocket configured to receive and display a surgical sponge. The sponge bag holder including a plurality of support members. The support members are shiftable relative to one another to transition the sponge bag holder between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. At least one of the support members extends in the lateral direction past another of the support members when the sponge bag holder is in the expanded configuration. The support members collectively present a depth in a fore-and-aft direction that is transverse to the lateral direction and transverse to the vertical direction. The depth is at least substantially constant as the sponge bag holder transitions between the collapsed and expanded configurations.

Abstract: A container includes an upper opening portion, a holder, which is placed in the container, for holding at least one medical device, and a gas non-permeable film for sealing the opening portion. The holder includes a basal plate portion having a plate shape, a plurality of tubular portions protruding downwardly from the basal plate portion, a plurality of stays formed around each of the plurality of tubular portions and connecting another of the plurality of tubular portions, and a support rod protruding downwardly from the basal plate portion and having a length longer than the plurality of tubular portions. The support rod is arranged such that a medical device housed in each of the plurality of tubular portions is not adapted to contact a bottom surface of the container, or another holder adjacent to the holder when the holder and the another holder are stacked.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for an ablation device (e.g., for catheter-based ablation procedures) that simplifies the invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation by allowing a medical professional to detect both force and pressure during the procedure. For example, using a sensor affixed to the ablation device, a medical professional may detect (or infer) both the force applied to an organ during an ablation procedure as well as the direction of that force. The detected force and direction applied against the surrounding tissue may then be communicated (e.g., using text, on-screen graphics, sounds, etc.) to a medical professional though a display unit connected to the ablation device.

Abstract: A medical device stabilizer 1 having a base plate 2 and a compressible medical device grip 3 in the form of a resilient ball 4 with a guide bore 5 on the base plate 2 which can articulate for gripping and positioning medical devices such as CT-guided needles held in the medical device grip 3.

Abstract: Medical software tools platform utilizes a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist those in the operating room, such as a surgeon or surgical team, with a surgery. For various embodiments, the medical software tools platform and its associated medical software tools are presented on a surgical display (e.g., being utilized in an operating room) over an image stream provided by a surgical camera (e.g., in use in the operating room or with other endoscopic procedures). Various medical software tools can provide features and functions that can facilitate integration of equipment in an operating room or add medical context awareness to anatomic structures presented in the image stream from the surgical camera and provide archived information pertaining to the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RDID tag enabled needle shield assembly that provides a sterile enclosure of an injection needle and that can be fixedly attached to a pre-filled syringe for administering an injection of medicament to a patient after removal of the needle shield assembly. The RFID tag is fixedly attached to the needle shield through co-molding or another form of permanent attachment. The present invention also relates to a method of tracking the life cycle of a medicament injection device where the RFID tag enabled needle shield assembly is attached to an injection needle that is connected to a syringe barrel that is part of an injection device. Data is written to or read from the RFID tag during the entire life cycle of the injection device, including assembly, packaging, storing, distribution and use.

Abstract: A dental forceps structure, including: a fixture body, including an elastic connection portion, two elastic arms formed on two ends of the elastic connection portion, and two bended clamping portions each formed on one end of one of the elastic arms; two accommodation elements, each configured on one of the clamping portions; and two barriers, configured on the respective clamping portions and positioned between the accommodation elements and fixture body, and adapted to isolate the disturbance of surrounding tissues and organs. With the above structure, a user only needs to manually pull the elastic arms apart after placing a water suction element between the accommodation elements and place the clamping portions on the two sides of an affected part, thereby using the elastic force of the elastic connection to contract the elastic arms inward to allow the clamping portions to be naturally fixed on the affected part.

Abstract: Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. Examples of pressure wave generators include a liquid jet, an electromagnetic energy delivery device, and an ultrasonic device. The fluid can include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in tooth cleaning. The fluid may be degassed to have a reduced dissolved gas content (compared to non-degassed fluids used in endodontic treatments), which may improve the effectiveness of the pressure wave generation or the cleaning.

Abstract: A modular mouthpiece for soft tissue placement includes a base tray and soft tissue placement inserts. The soft tissue placement inserts are configured to be selectively coupled to the base tray.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses to obtain an image, or a set of images, of a patient's teeth from one or more predetermined viewing angles. These methods and apparatuses may include the use an overlay comprising an outline of teeth for each predetermined viewing angle. The overlay may be used for automatically capturing, focusing and/or illuminating the teeth. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses for using a series of images of the patient's teeth including a set of predetermined views to determine if a patient is a candidate for an orthopedic procedure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition that safely removes a cured dental cement or resin from metal brackets, metal braces, and enamel surfaces of teeth. It contains eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl-eugenol or an isomer thereof. A method for removing orthodontic fixtures adhered with a dental cement or resin to the enamel surfaces of teeth from these surfaces by contacting the dental cement or resin with a composition containing eugenol.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic system including a tactile object is provided for modulating an engagement between a tooth attachment and an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Abstract: A physical model of at least a portion of a patient's dentition has model dental surfaces corresponding to real dental surfaces of the patient's dentition. The physical model includes one or more targets, each configured for facilitating placement of an orthodontic appliance on the model at a desired location. The targets lack mechanical stops that are outwardly protruding from the original model dental surfaces. Also provided are a method of manufacturing a physical model for use in indirect bonding procedures, a method for indirect bonding for use in an orthodontic procedure, a method for providing an indirect bonding transfer tray for use in an orthodontic procedure, and a system for providing a physical model for use in indirect bonding orthodontic procedures.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, tooth attachment placement (TAP) device or for assisting a user in placing one or more appliances or attachments on one or more teeth is disclosed. The TAP device comprises single tooth jigs connected through splines. The geometry of the device is automatically designed in the treatment planning unified workstation, thereby generating a digital STL file. Then the device is created from a non-flexible biocompatible material by a 3D printer in accordance with the digital STL file. Appliance, for example, may be a bracket or a bracket shim; and the attachment may be an aligner attachment or a pad. Different embodiments of the TAP device are disclosed. Methods for verifying the accuracy of the placements of the brackets on the teeth using the TAP device are disclosed.