Abstract: A catheter placement system designed to establish a conductive pathway through a sterile barrier from a sterile field to a non-sterile field. The catheter placement system can include a stylet having a first connector including a piercing component, and a sensing component, and a data-receiving component having a second connector. The data-receiving component can be designed for positioning in the non-sterile field under the sterile barrier. The first connector can be designed to conductively connect to the second connector of the data-receiving component through the sterile barrier via the piercing component without compromising the sterile field.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting element indication include an end effector having a jaw for clamping a material and a cutting element within the end effector and a processor. The cutting element is moveable relative to the end effector. The cutting element is driven by a drive element and a mechanism coupling the drive element to the cutting element. The processor is configured to determine a position of the cutting element relative to the end effector via a displacement of the drive element and a displacement of the mechanism and display, on a user interface, an indicator of the position of the cutting element relative to the end effector.

Abstract: For kinetic sizing, the dynamic torque to be provided by a robotic system may be based off of, in part, a maximum acceleration. Rather than trying to extract maximum acceleration from many samples, a relationship of velocity to acceleration from repetitive user inputs relative to a non-surgical target in different situations (e.g., accurate, fast, or balance tracing of the target movement) is established. The velocity for any given situation may be used to estimate the acceleration from the relationship. Rather than using many trajectory samples from many users, a synthetic trajectory may be used. The synthetic trajectory may be fit to user data while maintaining high-coverage properties for direction of movement for any given pose of the robot. Alternatively, a virtual trajectory decoupled from time is used. The virtual trajectory samples the directions at any given pose in a global high-coverage manner, without specifically using a time-dependent sequence of poses.

Abstract: A control method is provided to manage a surgical robot having an arm configured to hold a medical tool. The method includes receiving a set of sensor signals from sensors on the arm, generating a profile based on the set of sensor signals, comparing the profile to at least one signature, determining a state of the arm based on results of the comparison, and changing operation of the arm based on the state of the arm. The state of the arm is indicative of a predetermined condition that has occurred or will likely occur eminently. Changing operation of the arm prevents the condition from occurring or continuing. The robot arm may hold a medical tool for using during surgery or another medical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device configured to facilitate performance of a procedure and a computer system communicable with the robotic device. The computer system is programmed to associate a virtual object with an anatomical feature, adjust the virtual object associated with the anatomical feature in response to movement of the anatomical feature during the procedure by monitoring detected movement of the anatomical feature and adjusting the virtual object in response to the detected movement, and control the robotic device based on a relationship between at least one point associated with the robotic device and the virtual object during the procedure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting unexpected movement of a surgical instrument during a robot-assisted surgical procedure are provided. The surgical robot system may be configured to measure forces and torques experienced by the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure and determine if the forces and torques are within an acceptable range. The robot system is further configured to notify the user of the presence of the unexpected movement.

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.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical robotic arm, an electromechanical instrument, an instrument drive unit, and a coupling shaft. The electromechanical instrument is configured to be detachably coupled to the surgical robotic arm. The electromechanical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end having an end effector. The instrument drive unit includes a motor configured to actuate the end effector. The coupling shaft defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to be coupled between the instrument drive unit and the surgical robotic arm such that the instrument drive unit is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the coupling shaft relative to the surgical robotic arm or the electromechanical instrument.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a guidewire or catheter. An exemplary drive apparatus for driving an elongated member may include a rotational component configured to apply a torque to the elongated member, where the rotational component is positioned a first distance away from an insertion site along the elongated member. The drive apparatus may further include a rotational support configured to apply an assistance torque to the elongated member. The rotational support may be positioned a second distance from the rotational component along the elongated member that is larger than the first distance.

Abstract: A teleoperated system includes a master grip and a ratcheting system coupled to the master grip. The ratcheting system is configured to align the master grip with a slave instrument commanded by the master grip by determining grip rotation values describing an orientation of the master grip, determining instrument rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument, determining an orientation error between an orientation of the master grip and the orientation of the instrument based on the grip rotation values and the instrument rotation values, and reducing the orientation error by low pass filtering the grip rotation values or the instrument rotation values.

Abstract: A catheter procedure system includes a bedside system having a guide wire, a guide wire advance/retract actuator coupled to the guide wire and a guide wire rotate actuator coupled to the guide wire and a workstation coupled to the bedside system. The workstation includes a user interface, at least one display and a controller coupled to the bedside system, the user interface and the at least one display. The controller is programmed to advance the guide wire through a path using the guide wire advance/retract actuator, determine if the guide wire is in a desired path based at least on at least one image of a region of interest, rotate the guide wire using the guide wire rotate actuator if the guide wire is not in the desired path, wherein the guide wire is rotated a predetermined amount, and retract the guide wire using the guide wire advance/retract actuator.

Abstract: A surgical system can include a surgical probe having a deflectable tip, and a plurality of guide arms that are movable so as to cause the tip to deflect. Thus, the surgical probe can be steered toward a target anatomical location. The surgical system can further include a control system that includes a free floating user interface, and a motion sensor that detects motion of the user interface. The control system is configured to cause the probe tip to deflect in response to the detected motion of the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computer-assisted systems using robotic technology are described. For example, this disclosure describes systems and methods that can be used in various contexts such as, but not limited to, minimally invasive computer-assisted tele-operated surgery using robotic technology. The disclosure describes instruments and mechanisms for actuating and controlling the motions of such instruments. The instruments and actuator mechanisms may be used in medical operations and non-medical operations.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a device comprising: (a) a first component for providing a means for securing acupuncture needles that are disposed in bulk-style packaging when such bulk-style package is opened; and (b) a second component for providing a mounting and resting surface for the first component. The first component and the second component may be coupled together by a coupling mechanism disposed therebetween. The device may permit an acupuncture practitioner to remove an acupuncture needle from bulk packaging, without accidentally touching the shaft of an adjacent or another acupuncture needle contained within the same bulk packaging, or accidentally spilling needles in an open package while moving packaging around during treatment.

Abstract: A compartmentalized medical instrument kit is provided. The compartmentalized medical instrument kit includes a platform configured for use during medical procedures. The platform may include a top surface, a plurality of sidewalls, and/or a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface includes one or more channels configured to receive one or more wires and to secure and position the one or more wires under the platform. The compartmentalized medical instrument kit may include one or more compartments configured to house one or more medical instruments.

Abstract: A force measuring apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a force concentrator. The force concentrator is configured to attach to a loadbearing medical device and to produce a transverse force related to an eccentric axial force applied to the loadbearing medical device. A bending stiffness of the force concentrator is different from a bending stiffness of the loadbearing medical device.

Abstract: A pin closure system, especially for use in securing the upper and lower frame plates of a radiation therapy treatment mask. An upper sleeve having an expansile portion is placed and engaged within a shaped fenestration of an upper frame plate, while a lower sleeve having an expansile portion is placed and engaged within a shaped fenestration of a lower frame plate. An axial pin is inserted spanning both sleeves, causing the expansile portions to expand radially, engaging the sleeves together and locking the plates together. The system may also be used to use a single pin to simultaneously lock the upper and lower frame plates together and to an external substrate, such as a treatment table for repeatable and highly accurate patient positioning.

Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope and a method for optimizing an assembly space of a surgical microscopy system are provided. The stand includes a base part, a stand part forming a c-shape structure, having a first end and a second end, and being mounted on the base part at the first end. The stand part has a hollow structure with reinforcements arranged within the hollow structure and the reinforcements extend vertically through the entire hollow structure. The stand part may include a first stand part element and a second stand part element, and the first and second stand part elements are arranged at a horizontal distance relative to one another and form together the c-shape structure. The method includes relocating electronic components from the arms to an area of the stand part thereby shifting a center of gravity of the stand.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for use as a surgical headlamp is disclosed. A light emitting diode is positioned in a recess within a frustoconical, thermally-conductive heat sink that has a several circumferential ridges to provide a desired surface area for heat transfer. The diode and the heat sink are provided in a housing that also includes a fan for drawing ambient air into the housing to contact the heat sink and exhausting heated air. A lens is snap-fit into a slide that frictionally engages the interior of the housing, allowing a user to adjust the spacing between the light emitting diode and the lens as desired. Personal cooling apparatuses usable with the lighting apparatus are also described. Auxiliary undergown switches are also described as are personal cooling apparatuses.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for removing an occluding object from a surgical image. An image capture device is inserted into a patient and captures an initial image of a surgical site inside the patient during a surgical procedure. A controller receives the image and determines that the occluding object is present in the initial image. The controller executes a removal algorithm that includes controlling the image capture device to perform a plurality of movements, controlling the image capture device to capture a plurality of images, wherein each image among the plurality of images corresponds to a movement among the plurality of movements, and applying an image filter to combine the initial image and the plurality of images and generate a processed image where the occluding object is removed from the processed image.

Abstract: A tool holder for use as a surgical assistant, the tool holder including: first and second beam members; a frame; at least one linkage member coupled to the frame and the first and second beam members; a mounting configuration to hold a tool, the mounting configuration being coupled to the first and second beam members; and a drive mechanism mounted with respect to the frame, wherein the at least one linkage member and the mounting configuration are coupled to the first and second beam members in a parallelogram configuration, the drive mechanism is configured to drive a tilt movement of the mounting configuration with respect to the frame by movement of the first beam member with respect to the second beam member to orient the mounting configuration to a tilt angle, and the drive mechanism is configured to drive a pan movement of the tool about a pan axis, the drive mechanism being further configured to orient the pan axis with respect to the frame dependent on the tilt angle.

Abstract: A labelling system includes a labelling plate being adapted to be removably connected with a sterile container, wherein the labelling plate includes interfaces for at least one label (e.g. barcode) and at least one identification tag (e.g. RFID). The interfaces can removably hold the at least one identification tag and/or the at least one label at the separate labelling plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of a composition containing recombinant amelogenin and propylene glycol alginate (“PGA”) on to cut dentin tubules followed by installation of a definitive restorative in a single visit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: A thin-form mouthguard can be formed from a U-shape planar sheet. The sheet can be made of expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene and have a thickness between 0.02 inches and 0.25 inches. The sheet can also include instructions for modification of the mouthguard printed thereon. A method for preparing a mouthguard is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide Bite Opening Devices (BODs) that are quicker and easier to place and provide improved accuracy. For example, a method may comprise using a computer system to perform: receiving data relating to teeth and jaws of a person, identifying a hinge axis of the jaw in three dimensional space using the data relating to teeth and jaws of a person, rotating the jaw to provide a desired clearance of the teeth, placing at least one Bite Opening Device on the teeth so as to provide the desired clearance of the teeth, and generating data defining a bonding tray to fit over the teeth, the bonding tray including a void corresponding to each Bite Opening Device, the generated data defining the bonding tray to be used for manufacturing the bonding tray using additive manufacturing.

Abstract: An orthodontic device, including: an inner housing that covers teeth, an outer housing that covers the inner housing, a bracket that is capable of pressing against the teeth and that penetrates the inner housing, and a pressing force adjuster that engages with the outer housing and the bracket and that is capable of adjusting a pressing force of the bracket on the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant set comprising a fixture for insertion into a bore hole arranged in bone tissue having first indexing means, a dental component having second indexing means and being adaptable to the fixture in an engaged position where the first and second indexing means mate and in an intermediate position where the dental component and the fixture are in contact with each other but the first and the second indexing means do not mate, and a fixation screw being adapted for fixating the dental component to the fixture. The present invention also relates to a method for attaching a dental component to a dental fixture.

Abstract: A cortical drill for hydrating and drilling cancellous bone when preparing a dental implant includes a stem portion and a drill portion, the stem portion with a locking notch and a water inlet configured for receiving fluid under pressure into the cortical drill. The drill portion has an elongated substantially conical body having an outer wall. The drill portion has a slot portion, and the slot portion includes a cut-out forming an inlet along a peripheral surface of the conical body. A plurality of jets are formed in the slot portion, with the jets in communication with the water inlet, and the jets arranged along the slot portion, such that fluid travelling under pressure into the water inlet, travels through the stem portion and the drill portion, and exits the jets in the slot portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental tray assembly for intraoral imaging of an edentulous dental arch and/or palate. The dental tray assembly includes a base surface and an opposing external surface. An anterior wall is connected to the base surface and extends arcuately either side of a central axis coinciding, in use, with the labial frenulum. A posterior edge connects opposing sides of the anterior wall. The base surface and the anterior wall together define a concave trough for at least partially surrounding an edentulous arch. A spaced-apart array of ultrasound imaging elements is attached to the dental tray within the trough for emitting and receiving ultrasound signals, the received ultrasound signals being representative of the surface topography and/or sub-surface structures of an edentulous dental arch and/or palate to be imaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of a method for controlling a machine tool, and a workpiece, in particular a milling blank, and the method for machining this workpiece, said machine tool comprising a robot arm movable in at least 2, in particular at least 3 spatial axes in a range of motion, said robot arm carrying, guiding and moving at least one workpiece, possibly by means of a workpiece holder, with a control unit for controlling the machine tool. The machine tool (62) comprises a sensor, in particular a spatially fixed optical sensor or is assigned said sensor, whose detection range (66) at least partially overlaps the range of motion. The workpiece (10) comprises a change in geometry, in particular a hole (12), is moved in the detection range (66) by the robot arm (70), and upon detection of the hole (12) by the sensor the control unit determines a reference point, reference axis and/or reference surface for controlling the machine tool (62).

Abstract: A system comprising a scanning device is operable by a user to scan teeth of the user to acquire images of the teeth. The scanning device comprises a camera operable to acquire the images, a guide configured to orient the camera with respect to the teeth to facilitate acquisition of the images, and a server system configured to receive the images acquired by the scanning device and to develop a treatment plan for the user based on the received images.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a water flosser comprises a housing, a tooth irrigation portion, a water nozzle portion, a winding mechanism, and a water pipe configured to be bent and wound. The tooth irrigation portion is disposed in the housing and comprises a water inlet and a water outlet. The water nozzle portion is in communication with the water outlet of the tooth irrigation portion.

Abstract: A dental apparatus container, including a main body to receive at least one of a dental apparatus and cleaning fluid therein, and a lid connected to the main body to cover at least a portion of the main body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-functional visual electric toothbrush, including a main unit, an oral viewer, an interdental cleaning appliance and an electric toothbrush head. The oral viewer is connected to the main unit, the interdental cleaning appliance is connected to the front end of the oral viewer, and the electric toothbrush head is connected to a toothbrush driving mechanism. A circuit system and a control system of the main unit can not only transfer the energy of a power supply to the toothbrush driving mechanism, so as to drive the electric toothbrush head to work for large-area oral cleaning, but also connect a lighting system, an observation system and a switch of the oral viewer to control the oral viewer to work. The interdental cleaning appliance may be used cooperatively with the oral viewer to perform targeted cleaning on difficult-to-clean food debris in an oral cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mouth gag, which comprises: a body placed in a patient's mouth to keep the mouth open and expose teeth; and a plurality of markers arranged on the body to allow for determining tooth size.

Abstract: A portable tooth polishing and bleaching treatment device is provided for simultaneous tooth surface polishing and bleaching for use at home or in dental clinics. A single-rod-swinging mechanism, either using tilt-rod-driving or bent-rod-driving, is employed to transfer a continuously rotational input from an electric power into a back-and-forth swinging movement output. The device comprises a battery-powered handpiece with a detachable swinging angle, a dual-functional rubber cup, a user-specific thermoplastic gum protector, a dual-agent mixing set consisting of a separated storage of polishing and bleaching agents and an agent mixing tool. The swinging angle alone is used as a prophylaxis angle for dental clinics.

Abstract: A disposable device for absorbing urine and/or bodily fluids in the urethra having a cylindrical body about 4-8 mm in diameter by about 3-5 cm in length and having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with urine and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device from the urethra. The device can be used to treat urinary incontinence and/or erectile dysfunction by inserting into the urethra and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with a plunger for insertion.

Abstract: Implants are provided, comprising the implant and a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A protective container for a sterilized medical implant includes a base including a hollow body having a closed end and an opened end. The base including a thread. A cap is secured about the opened end of the hollow body. The cap includes a thread that cooperates with the thread provided on the base such that relative rotation of the base and the cap causes relative axial movement of the base and the cap. A sealing member is compressed between the base and the cap to provide a seal therebetween as a result of relative axial movement of the base and the cap.

Abstract: A urological device includes a valve retained in a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter has a first portion that is insertable into a urethra and a second portion adapted to remain outside of the urethra when the first portion is inserted into the urethra. The valve has a closed configuration adapted to prevent urine from exiting the urinary catheter and an open configuration adapted to allow urine to flow through and exit the urinary catheter. The valve is adapted to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a hydrodynamic pressure of at least 750 mm H2O applied to the valve for at least 5 seconds.

Abstract: A stent-grafts combination comprising a first stent and a second stent for central veins is provided, in which the first stent and the second stent with appropriate diameters are selected depending on patient's veins and overlappingly sleeve-coupled with each other. The stent-graft for central veins can improve the matching of the stent-graft with different patients' veins, so that the surgical success rate is increased and the postoperative problems caused by the inappropriate diameters of stent-graft is decreased.

Abstract: A stent graft. The stent graft is provided in the axial direction thereof with at least one region T, and the region T includes a number of wavy rings; in the circumferential direction, the region T includes a region A and a region B that is connected to the region A, the ratio of the area of the region A to the area of the region T being ¼-?, the ratio of the coverage rate of the wavy rings in the region A to the coverage rate of the wavy rings in the region B being ?- 9/10, and the ratio of the coverage rate of the wavy rings within any circular region having a diameter of 20 mm within the region A to the coverage rate of the wavy rings in the region A being 0.7-1.3.

Abstract: A diametrically adjustable endoprosthesis includes a controlled expansion element extending along at least a portion of a graft and is supported by a stent. The controlled expansion element diametrically constrains and limits expansion of the endoprosthesis. Upon deployment from a smaller, delivery configuration, the endoprosthesis can expand to the initial diameter set by the controlled expansion element. Thereafter, the endoprosthesis can be further diametrically expanded (e.g., using balloon dilation) by mechanically altering the controlled expansion element.

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft system (10) comprises first, second, and third generally tubular stent-grafts (20, 22, 24), which are configured to assume radially-expanded states. The first stent-graft (20) is shaped so as to define a first lateral opening (34) when in its radially-expanded state. The second stent-graft (22) is shaped so as to define a second lateral opening (44) when in its radially-expanded state. The first and second stent-grafts (20, 22) are configured such that the second stent-graft (22) forms a blood-impervious seal with the first stent-graft (20) around the first lateral opening (34) when the second stent-graft (22) is disposed therethrough, and the first and the second stent-grafts (20, 22) are in their radially-expanded states.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic device comprising: a power circuit, and a contact initiated electro-magnet having an electrical coil in operable connection with the power circuit, wherein one end of the electrical coil is directly connected to the power circuit and the other is connected to the magnetic core of the electromagnet such that, in use, the magnetic core performs the dual purposes of (i) focusing the electromagnetic field created by the coil and (ii) forms part of the electrical circuit that energizes the magnetic core of the electromagnet. Multiple electromagnetic devices may be combined to form a kinetic device capable of creating an electrically-based movement device that mimics the form and function of the skeletal muscle through the use of multiple contact initiated electromagnets held within elastic tubes.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant, includes at least one antimicrobial monomer; and at least one other monomer selected from an acrylic, silicone, vinyl and collagen monomer.

Abstract: An intraocular clip comprises a flexible body connected to a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners, at least two of them, are configured on opposite sides of the body in an opposing relationship, and wherein the fasteners are biased to be engaging their respective opposing fasteners on the opposite sides of the body, however manipulation of the body moves the fasteners away from each other until the body is released and the fasteners bias toward each other. The fasteners have a proximal end joined to the body and a distal end on the opposite end of the fastener from the body. The distal ends of the fasteners comprise footpads, and the footpads on opposing fasteners engage each other when the fasteners are biased in their closed positions.