Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument having a cryosurgical probe, at least one electrode configured to generate products of electrolysis, and a protective member coupled to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the cryosurgical probe effective to substantially isolate the cryosurgical probe from the products of electrolysis is disclosed. Methods of providing combined cryosurgical treatment and electrolysis with the cryosurgical instrument are disclosed. A system having the cryosurgical instrument, a cryogenic power supply, an electrolysis power supply, and a controller configured to generate a cryogenic signal and an electric signal is disclosed. Methods of producing the cryosurgical instrument by selecting a cryosurgical probe, coupling at least one electrode to the cryosurgical probe, and fastening the protective member to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the cryosurgical probe are disclosed. Cryosurgical probe protective devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal ablation probe device that integrates deployable sensors with a freezing probe or heating probe for use in ablating tissues. The ablation probe includes a longitudinal body including a thermal ablation energy source which may be, e.g., a cryosource or a heat source. The longitudinal body has a proximal end and a distal end terminating at a probe tip; and at least one deployable assembly disposed within the longitudinal body. The deployable assembly includes a flexible and substantially rigid deployment member, and at least one sensor affixed to a distal end of the deployment member. The ablation probe further includes a control mechanism for controlling deployment and retraction of the deployable assembly.

Abstract: An attachment for a gas-assisted electrosurgical device. The attachment has a housing having a channel within it, an electrosurgical blade and an electrical connector. The electrosurgical blade has a conductive member comprising an elongated distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion having a width greater than a width of the proximal portion, the width of the distal portion being at least three times the thickness of the distal portion, and a coating on at least a portion of said conductive member.

Abstract: A vapor delivery needle and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate cancer. The energy delivery probe can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a peripheral zone tissue in a human prostate. In one method, a needle is introduced into peripheral zone tissue of a human prostate, and vapor media is delivered through the needle to ablate peripheral zone tissue without ablating non-peripheral zone tissue. Systems for treating prostate cancer with vapor therapy are also provided.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatuses are disclosed for providing tissue ablation through electrolysis, electroporation, or a combination thereof. A way to deliver the combination through a pulse that has an element of gradual decay and can thereby reduce both muscle contraction and electric breakdown discharge at the electrodes is disclosed. The apparatus disclosed may include an electrode, a power supply, and a controller. The controller may control a charge applied to the electrode to induce a direct current through a treatment site to produce electrolysis products and a voltage to produce electroporation. The duration and magnitude of the charge applied may determine the dose of the products and the degree of the permeabilization of cells in the treatment site.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: Surgical tools and methods are disclosed. The surgical tool has a first tip disposed relative to an axis and a second tip. The surgical tool has a first configuration wherein the first and second tips operate as forceps. The surgical tool has a second configuration wherein the first and second tips operate as scissors, wherein the surgical tool is configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration, at least in part, by rotation of the first tip about the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes. An indicator mechanism is operatively coupled to the wall and configured to indicate non-expanded and expanded shapes of the wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods providing evaluation and feedback to an operator of a device providing neuromodulation treatment, such as modulation of renal nerves of a human patient. In one embodiment, for example, a system monitors parameters or values generated before treatment. Feedback provided to an operator is based on the monitored values and relates to an assessment of various electrical properties associated with an electrode carried by a catheter. The electrode measures an electrical property of biological material making contact with the electrode while deploying the electrode, the electrical property being dependent on a ratio of a wall-interface area to a fluid-interface area.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, including a handle assembly; an elongate body coupled to the handle assembly, the elongate body defining a guide wire lumen therethrough; and a substantially semi-circular electrode array coupled to the elongate body. The device may include a substantially rigid shaft extending distally from the elongate body and defining a lumen therethrough, the shaft including a substantially rigid segment, and a flexible coil coaxial with and extending distally from the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: A port module removably coupleable to an energy module of a module energy system is disclosed. The port module includes a light pipe and a receptacle defined by the light pipe. The receptacle is configured to receive a plug of an electrosurgical instrument therein. A seal is defined between the light pipe and the receptacle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system with an innovative electrode designed as an RF/microwave antenna as well as methods to monitor/assess biological tissue and perform surgical procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for characterizing a visual system of a subject using measures of the sensitivity to contrast, the visual system comprising visual signal processing elements each having an impact on the sensitivity to contrast, wherein a visual test where visual patterns having different spatiotemporal frequencies and with varying luminance levels and with varying levels of visual degradation of the visual patterns are shown to a subject to measure the sensitivity to contrast of said subject, is performed, wherein a predetermined response model of a visual system is preestablished on the basis of a determination of the visual signal processing element that predominantly limits the sensitivity to contrast for each value of luminance and spatiotemporal frequency, said predetermined response model relating the visual signal processing elements predominantly limiting the sensitivity to contrast to the luminances and to the spatiotemporal frequencies, wherein at least one of the visual signal pro

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus that includes an image capturing unit configured to capture a target part of a subject eye; a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, may cause the ophthalmic apparatus to execute: acquiring a first image of the target part captured at a first timing by the image capturing unit and a second image of the target part captured at a second timing different from the first timing; and combining the first image with the second image to generate one combined image of the target part.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer-readable medium, and computer program product, for designating an OCT scan location to be performed on a retina. The apparatus comprises a display device for displaying an image comprising a background image of the retina and a planning element designating the location; a touch-sensitive input device that generates touch interaction data indicative of touch interaction of a user with the input device; an image manipulation module determines, based on the touch interaction data, a manipulation to be performed on the displayed image, and applies the image manipulation to the image in response to each touch interaction to generate an updated image to display; and a scan location designation module generates data indicative of the location of the OCT scan to be performed, based on a location of the planning element on the background image in at least one updated image.

Abstract: A method of processing functional OCT image data, acquired by an OCT scanner scanning a retina that is being repeatedly stimulated by a light stimulus, to obtain a response of the retina to the light stimulus, comprising: receiving OCT image data generated by the OCT scanner repeatedly scanning the retina over a time period, and a sequence of stimulus indicators each indicative of a stimulation of the retina by the light stimulus in a respective time interval of a sequence of time intervals spanning the time period; calculating, for each stimulus indicator, a product of the stimulus indicator and a respective windowed portion of the sequence of B-scans comprising a B-scan based on a portion of the OCT image data generated while the retina was being stimulated in accordance with the stimulus indicator; and combining the calculated products to generate the indication of the response.

Abstract: An objective testing of vergence dysfunction comprising the steps of: providing a head mounted goggle based stimulus generating eye tracking unit to the subject; presenting visual stimulus to the subject, wherein the visual stimulus is in the head mounted goggle based system and forms the optical target stimulus for at least one vergence test; obtaining objective physiologic response of the subject from the head mounted goggle unit based upon each of the visual stimulus presented to the subject in each test; and using the objective physiologic responses to diagnose the presence of vergence dysfunction. On objective portable head mounted goggle based stimulus generating eye tracking unit for vergence testing is discloses as is a method of method of vergence recovery convalescence.

Abstract: An eye measurement system includes an optical system. The eye measurement system is disposed in a housing which includes an aperture for providing light to and from the optical system and a subject's eye while the subject is separated and spaced apart from the housing, and the eye is not maintained in a fixed positional relationship with respect to the housing. An optical system movement arrangement moves the optical system. An automatic eye tracking arrangement ascertains a current positional relationship of the eye with respect to the optical system without human assistance, and in response thereto controls the optical system movement arrangement to move the optical system into a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the eye, for measurement of the eye, without human assistance. The eye measurement system can make objective, and/or subjective, refraction measurements of the eye.

Abstract: Introduced here are retinal cameras having optical stops whose size and/or position can be modified to increase the size of the space in which an eye can move while being imaged. In some embodiments, an optical stop is mechanically moved to recover retinal image quality as the subject shifts their eye. In some embodiments, an optical stop is digitally created using a pixelated liquid crystal display (LCD) layer having multiple pixels that are individually controllably. In some embodiments, multiple non-pixelated LCD layers are connected to one another to form a variable transmission stack, and each LCD layer within the variable transmission stack may be offset from the other LCD layers. In such embodiments, the optical stop can be moved by changing which LCD layer is active at a given point in time.

Abstract: A prism array light redistribution apparatus for an eye imaging system including light transmitting fibers, light receiving fibers, and a micro prism array optically coupled to bridge the light transmitting fibers and the light receiving fibers, configured to receive light having a bell-shaped angular distribution from the light transmitting fibers and refract light emitted by the light transmitting fibers to enter the light receiving fibers.

Abstract: An intraocular pressure (IOP) sensing system may comprise an intraocular pressure sensing implant to be implanted into the eye of a patient for capturing absolute intraocular pressure measurements and an external device for capturing atmospheric pressure measurements. The intraocular pressure sensing implant may be configured to capture an absolute intraocular pressure measurement at an appointed time, and the external device may be configured to capture a plurality of atmospheric pressure measurements around the appointed time.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. A three-dimensional computer model of the patient's heart produced from imaging data is used to fabricate a personalized or patient-specific customized ablation catheter. The personalized ablation catheter is shaped to fit the unique anatomy of the patient's left atrium and has ablation elements that correspond with each of the patient's pulmonary vein ostia. Ostial fitment elements engage the ostia to align the ablation elements and a base ring attached by spring members urges the ablation elements into apposition with the inner wall of the left atrium. A neuroprotective mesh is attached across the ring to capture and remove potential emboli. Ablation energy, such as radiofrequency energy, is applied through the ablation elements. Electrodes located on the personalized ablation catheter are used to verify electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins at the completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing assistance to a surgeon during an implant surgery are disclosed. A method includes defining areas of interest in diagnostic data of a patient and defining a screw bone type based on the surgeon's input. Post defining the areas of interest, salient points are determined for the areas of interest. Successively, an XZ angle, an XY angle, and a position entry point for a screw are determined based on the salient points of the areas of interest. Successively, a maximum screw diameter and a length of the screw are determined based on the salient points. Thereafter, the screw is identified and suggested to the surgeon for usage during the implant surgery.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery. The improvement relates to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Some of the improvement relate to controlling the selection of which data to display during a procedure and/or how the data is displayed to aid the surgeon. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled automatically to improve the efficiency of the procedure. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing a surveillance marker configured to detecting movement of a dynamic reference base attached to a patient a robot-assisted surgical procedure are provided. The surveillance marker and the dynamic reference base are connected to a bony structure independent of each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for assisting in guiding and performing a procedure on a subject. The subject may be any appropriate subject such as inanimate object and/or an animate object. The guide and system may include various manipulable or movable members, such as robotic systems, and may be registered to selected coordinate systems.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing device includes an elongated outer body with flexible tubing configured to maneuver through a passage; a multicore optical fiber extending through the elongated outer body, and enabling shape sensing by tracking deformation of the multicore optical fiber along a length of the multicore optical fiber; a termination piece attached to a distal tip of the multicore optical fiber, the termination piece having a distal tip; and a force sensing region integrated with the elongated outer body and configured to enable determining of an axial force exerted on a distal end of the elongated outer body. The shape sensing occurs along the multicore optical fiber to the distal tip of the termination piece.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing robotically-assisted surgery in conjunction with intra-operative imaging. A method includes moving a robotic arm with respect to a patient and an imaging device to move an end effector of the robotic arm to a pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient based on imaging data of the patient obtained by the imaging device. The robotic arm maintains the end effector in the pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient and does not collide with the imaging device or with the patient when the imaging device moves with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A method of performing a procedure includes preparing a subject, gaining access to a portion of the subject with a first instrument, removing a first portion of the portion of the subject with the first instrument, gaining access to the portion of the subject with a tracked instrument, moving the tracked instrument to a surface revealed by removal of at least the first portion from the portion of the subject, tracking the tracked instrument while moving at least the tracked instrument to the surface, and determining a representation of the surface based on the tracking the tracked instrument.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for a three-dimensional registering, tracking, and/or guiding an object of interest, such a body part, a surgical tool, or an implant, during a surgical procedure. Such devices, systems, and methods may offer minimally invasive, high precision registering, tracking, and/or guiding of the object of interest using a patterned light beam and data processing using artificial intelligence. The methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein may be compatible with a simple marker or markers placed by a minimally invasive method on the object of interest.

Abstract: An implanted article physical referencing apparatus comprises a guide body, a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft. The guide body includes a plurality of guide shaft receptacles therein. A longitudinal axis of each of the guide shaft receptacles extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal reference axis of the guide body. The first and second guide shafts each have a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The proximate end portion of the first guide shaft includes an exterior surface adapted for being engaged with a corresponding interior surface of a selected one of the guide shaft receptacles to constrain unrestricted relative movement between the first guide shaft and the guide body. The proximate end portion of the second guide shaft is attached to the guide body. A longitudinal axis of the second guide shaft extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal reference axis of the guide body.

Abstract: Surgical robot systems, anatomical structure tracker apparatuses, and US transducer apparatuses are disclosed. A surgical robot system includes a robot, a US transducer, and at least one processor. The robot includes a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector is configured to guide movement of a surgical instrument. The US transducer is coupled to the end-effector and operative to output US imaging data of anatomical structure proximately located to the end-effector. The least one processor is operative to obtain an image volume for the patient and to track pose of the end-effector relative to anatomical structure captured in the image volume based on the US imaging data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a physical instrument are described herein. The physical instrument includes a main tubular body with a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion. The physical instrument further comprises a code platform proximate to the first terminal portion of the main tubular body. The code platform includes a plurality of different codes. The physical instrument also includes at least one of: (i) a flat tip at the second terminal portion and (ii) a passage internal to the main tubular body and extending from the first terminal portion to the second terminal portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for neuronavigation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Targeting systems and methods as described herein can generate personalized stimulation targets for the treatment of mental conditions. In many embodiments, direct stimulation of a personalized the stimulation target indirectly impacts a brain structure that is more difficult to reach via the stimulation modality. In various embodiments, the mental condition is major depressive disorder. In a number of embodiments, the mental condition is suicidal ideation.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a catheter to a target is disclosed. The system includes a probe and a workstation. The probe is configured to be navigated through a patient's airways and includes a location sensor. The workstation is in operative communication with the probe. The workstation includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory stores a navigation plan and a program that, when executed by the processor, is configured to generate a 3D rendering of the patient's airways, generate a view using the 3D rendering, and display the view featuring at least a portion of the navigation plan. Generating the view includes executing a first transfer function for a first range from a distal tip of the location sensor and executing a second transfer function for a second range from the distal tip of the location sensor.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems, devices, and techniques for clot manipulation and removal. At least some of the devices for clot manipulation and removal can be robotically controlled. These devices can include one or more elongate members that can be robotically driven through a patient's vasculature. One such device can include a first elongate member that can serve as an access sheath, a second elongate member that can serve as a clot removal catheter, a third elongate member that can serve as a clot disruptor, and a fourth elongate member that can serve as a guidewire.

Abstract: A robotized surgery system comprises at least one robot arm which acts under the control of a control console intended for the surgeon. The console comprises an eye tracking system for detecting the direction of the surgeon's gaze and for entering commands depending on the directions of the gaze detected. The console comprises advantageously a screen with at least one zone for viewing the operating field and, among the commands which can be performed depending on the gaze directions.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for a bipolar medical instrument. In one aspect, the medical instrument includes a first end effector, a first set of one or more distal pulleys coupled to the first end effector, and a wrist configured to house the first set of distal pulleys. The medical instrument also includes a plurality of cables extending through the wrist and a first insulating member formed between the first end effector and the first set of one or more distal pulleys.

Abstract: A teleoperated system comprises a display, a master input device, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine an orientation of an end effector reference frame relative to a field of view reference frame, determine an orientation of a master input device reference frame relative to a display reference frame, establish an alignment relationship between the master input device reference frame and the display reference frame, and command, based on the alignment relationship, a change in a pose of the end effector in response to a change in a pose of the master input device. The alignment relationship is independent of a position relationship between the master input device reference frame and the display reference frame. In one aspect, the teleoperated system is a telemedical system such as a telesurgical system.

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: Provided is a multi-segment rotation robotic arm which contains a plurality of concatenated robotic arm segments which can rotate 360 degrees along an adjacent oblique section thereof. Any one of the concatenated robotic arm segments of the multi-segment rotation robotic arm can be arbitrarily concatenate in accordance with use requirements. When the concatenated robotic arm segments rotate relatively, they can rotate 360 degrees without affecting the electric supply, and can also reduce the volume increase by rotated joints. Therefore, the multi-segment rotation robotic arm of the present invention can effectively adapt to complex and tortuous spaces in the body cavity to reduce the possibility of expanding the opening of the minimally invasive surgery and causing damage to organs or tissues in the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of operating same includes an end effector and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has proximal and distal shaft portions respectively extending along proximal and distal axes, a first elongate member, and an articulation section. The articulation section extends between the proximal and distal shaft portions and is configured to articulate about a first articulation axis and about a second articulation axis to thereby respectively deflect the end effector along a first plane and a second plane. The articulation section has a first lumen radially offset from the proximal and distal axes that longitudinally intersects the first and second articulation axes. The first lumen movably supports the first elongate member such that the radial spacing of the first elongate member is maintained relative to the proximal and distal axes at each of the first and second articulation axes during deflection of the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.

Abstract: A surgeon input device for controlling a robotic surgical system is disclosed herein. The surgeon input device comprising a housing and at least one sensor disposed within the housing. The at least one sensor, in operative communication with an electromagnetic signal transmitter, configured to detect at least one of a position and orientation of a surgeon's hand within a predefined electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic signal transmitter. The surgeon input device further comprising at least one button protruding out of the housing, where the at least one button configured to open and close an end-effector of a surgical instrument and at least one sensor disposed within the housing, where the at least one sensor configured to detect a compression and decompression of the at least one button and send a signal via a sensor wire to a control system to regulate opening and closing of the end effector of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method includes opening a first cuff portion of a first glove, the first glove has the first cuff portion connected to a first palm portion and the first palm portion is connected to a first finger portion, and positing a second finger portion of a second glove into the first cuff portion of the first glove, the second glove includes the second finger portion connected to a second palm portion and the second palm portion is connected to a second cuff portion. The gloves are contained in a dispenser and the connection of finger into cuff allows for single glove removal in succession.

Abstract: A surgical drape is configured for covering a patient and an ultrasonography probe during surgical treatment of the patient. The surgical drape may include a first portion that includes a canopy portion. The canopy portion can be sized and shaped to at least partially cover a mechanical arm coupled to the ultrasonography probe and a proximal portion of the ultrasonography probe, and the canopy portion can be configured to move with the proximal portion of the ultrasonography probe when the ultrasonography probe is supported by the mechanical arm. A second portion can be coupled to the first portion, in which the second portion is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of a torso of the patient.

Abstract: A method of cardiac strain analysis uses displacement encoded magnetic resonance image (MRI) data of a heart of the subject and includes generating a phase image for each frame of the displacement encoded MRI data. Phase images include potentially phase-wrapped measured phase values corresponding to pixels of the frame. A convolutional neural network CNN computes a wrapping label map for the phase image, and the wrapping label map includes a respective number of phase wrap cycles present at each pixel in the phase image. Computing an unwrapped phase image includes adding a respective phase correction to each of the potentially-wrapped measured phase values of the phase image, and the phase correction is based on the number of phase wrap cycles present at each pixel. Computing myocardial strain follows by using the unwrapped phase image for strain analysis of the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for generating at least one optimized functional images of a lesion region of a subject is provided. The system includes a diffuse optical tomography (DOT) device, and a computing device. The DOT device is configured to acquire lesion functional data of an imaging volume including the lesion region of the breast and reference functional data from a corresponding imaging volume including healthy tissue within a contralateral breast. The computing device is programmed to generate at least one functional image of the breast by reconstructing the functional data at the plurality of regions including the lesion region and the surrounding adjacent background region. The functional images may be reconstructed by an optimization method regularized a preliminary estimate generated by applying a truncated pseudoinverse matrix of a weight matrix to the functional data. The optimized functional images relate to levels of hemoglobin at the voxels.