Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an electrode comprising a body including a first end and a second end. The body can extend along a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The body can be configured for attachment to a spine of an expandable basket assembly such that the first end is oriented for contacting tissue when the expandable basket assembly is in an expanded configuration. The first end can comprise a conductive surface forming a generally triangular shape and an area that is greater than the second end. The body can converge from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An anchor point for an umbilical of a surgical ablation probe includes a main body, a first tab coupled to the main body and configured to flex relative to the main body about a first axis, a second tab coupled to the main body and configured to flex relative to the main body about a second axis, a third tab coupled to the first tab and configured to flex relative to the first tab about a third axis, and a fourth tab coupled the second tab and configured to flex relative to the second tab about a fourth axis. The first tab defines a third tab opening configured to be exposed when the third tab flexes relative to the first tab, and the second tab defines a fourth tab opening configured to be exposed when the fourth tab flexes relative to the second tab.

Abstract: An electrosurgical assembly for use with an electrosurgical controller is disclosed. The electrosurgical assembly includes a guidewire having an electrically conductive mandrel extending along a shaft. The distal portion of the shaft includes an electrode electrically coupled to the mandrel, and the shaft includes an electrical insulator disposed on the mandrel and extending to a proximal end. The electrosurgical assembly also includes a connector. The connector includes a cable to be coupled to the electrosurgical controller, a housing coupled to the cable, the housing having a guidewire passageway to receive the shaft of the guidewire, and a conductive member within the housing and electrically coupled to the cable. The conductive member includes a conductive contact member. The conductive contact member is adjacent the guidewire passageway to penetrate the electrical insulator and make electrical contact with the mandrel when the shaft of the guidewire is in the guidewire passageway.

Abstract: An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade having a top, a bottom, opposing planar sides, a cutting edge, and a non-cutting end, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing side is exposed near the cutting edge.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for delivering laser radiation to a target site in an organism. Preferably, pulsed laser radiation is delivered to the target site using a hypodermic needle. Depending on the embodiment, a focusing lens is used to focus the laser radiation into the needle shaft through which the laser light is propagated and delivered/transferred to the target site. The hypodermic needle may be a standard hypodermic needle or a modified hypodermic needle containing a lens. Various types of adapters are disclosed that attach to standard optical connectors at one end and to the standard connections of a hypodermic needle at the other end. In variations, the laser-delivery hypodermic needles of the instant design are self-contained and wirelessly controlled. The embodiments can be practiced to benefit a variety of use-cases in the medical, healthcare, life sciences and other fields.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laser delivery fiber for a therapeutic, treatment, or surgical procedure includes steps of providing an optical fiber having a pre-formed tip; placing a temporary protective sleeve over the pre-formed tip; inserting the optical fiber with the protective sleeve through a handpiece; and, before beginning the therapeutic, treatment, or surgical procedure, removing the protective sleeve from the optical fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an impact-during-suction surgical ureteroscope, comprising: a ureteroscope main body, an operating portion operably arranged in the ureteroscope main body, and a lithotripter. The ureteroscope main body comprises a ureteroscope structure main body and a suction channel extending from a front end to a rear end in the ureteroscope structure main body. The suction channel has a suction opening at the front end. The lithotripter is movably disposed in the ureteroscope structure main body so as to switch between a first state and a second state. When in the first state, a cutting head of the lithotripter extends out of the suction opening so as to impact a stone; when in the second state, the cutting head of the lithotripter is retracted into the suction opening and is used to impact crushed stones blocking the suction opening.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) includes a balloon (104), a first assembly illumination source (366) and a contact detector assembly (142). The balloon (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the vessel wall (108A) at the treatment site (106). The balloon (104) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). The first assembly illumination source (366) generates a first assembly illumination beam (366B) that moves in a first direction (121F) into the balloon interior (146). The contact detector assembly (142) is configured to optically analyze a first returning energy beam (366R) from the balloon interior (146) that moves in a second direction (121S) that is opposite the first direction (121F), the contact detector assembly (142) being configured to analyze the first returning energy beam (366R) to determine a contact condition between the balloon wall (130) and the vessel wall (108A).

Abstract: Systems and methods for bone surface geometry generation include a computing device. The computing device projects first geometry data indicative of a first bone-contacting surface of a first bone of a patient to a coordinate space of a second bone of the patient to generate projected geometry. The second bone includes a second bone-contacting surface that interfaces with the first bone-contacting surface. The computing device also maps the projected geometry to a plurality of poses in a range of motion of the first bone relative to the second bone using position data indicative of relative positions of the first bone and the second bone at the plurality of poses in the range of motion. The computing device further selects intersecting geometry from the mapped, projected geometry to generate second geometry data indicative of the second bone-contacting surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prosthetic implant revision surgery may include a robot having a robotic arm for attaching multiple surgical tools. The robot may generate a surgical plan for attaching the surgical tools to the robotic am (e.g., a large diameter wheel, an in-line cutting tip, a posterior curved cradle, a reciprocal saw, a long burr, a trephine reamer, an osteotome, a keel remover, etc.) and performing the steps to remove an anterior flange/cap of a prosthetic knee and debond cement from bone within the intramedullary canal of a tibia or femur. The robot may include cameras and/or tracking devices for mapping/generating a three-dimensional model of an operating space and the implant, and determine precise planes and angles for approaching the implant with the surgical tools. Accordingly, the systems and methods may perform revision surgery with less bone loss than previous techniques and may result in more reproducible outcomes.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involving intraoperative surgical planning relative to a target site. A head-mounted device is worn by a user and has a display. A digitization device has a pointer tip to contact the target site. A navigation system tracks states of the digitization device and the target site. Controller(s) receive the tracked states of the digitization device and the target site from the navigation system and register landmarks to the target site based on the pointer tip contacting the target site. The controller(s) create a virtual object that is registered to the target site, whereby the virtual object has a location and geometry that is defined, at least in part, based on the landmarks. The controller(s) present, on the display of the head-mounted device, the virtual object being overlaid onto a real-world image of the target site or real-world view of the target site.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical robot includes identifying, automatically based on image data of a bone, a soft tissue attachment point on a virtual bone model, planning an implant pose relative to a virtual model of the bone by using the soft tissue attachment point and optimizing planned implant pose based on bone density information, and controlling the surgical robot based on the implant pose to facilitate preparation of the bone to receive an implant in the implant pose.

Abstract: A plurality of systems and methods for improving a cardiac ablation procedure are disclosed. The systems and methods include a cloud server that includes a database containing information about previously performed cardiac ablations, a local server that is communicatively coupled to the cloud server via first network, and a surgical system that is communicatively coupled to the local server via second network. The cloud server is configured to receive, via the local server, electrical and anatomical data of a heart of a patient from the surgical system, perform a comparison of the electrical and anatomical data of the heart to the database information, generate a surgical treatment plan for the heart based on the comparison, wherein the surgical treatment plan includes a grid of the heart, and transmit, via the local server, the surgical treatment plan to the surgical system.

Abstract: Systems are provided for generating data representing electromagnetic states of a heart for medical, scientific, research, and/or engineering purposes. The systems generate the data based on source configurations such as dimensions of, and scar or fibrosis or pro-arrhythmic substrate location within, a heart and a computational model of the electromagnetic output of the heart. The systems may dynamically generate the source configurations to provide representative source configurations that may be found in a population. For each source configuration of the electromagnetic source, the systems run a simulation of the functioning of the heart to generate modeled electromagnetic output (e.g., an electromagnetic mesh for each simulation step with a voltage at each point of the electromagnetic mesh) for that source configuration.

Abstract: A method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: providing a first localizer relative to a patient anatomy; providing a second localizer in proximity to the first localizer; co-registering the first localizer and the second localizer; determining, based on tracking a pose of the first localizer, first localizer pose information; determining, based on a combination of the first localizer pose information and the co-registration of the first localizer with the second localizer, second localizer pose information; and outputting the second localizer pose information to at least one of a display device and a robotic controller.

Abstract: A medical instrument for a surgical assistance system includes a handle; an end section with a working point, in particular a tip; and a first reference system arranged in a predetermined first position relative to the working point, in particular rigidly attached to the handle, and which is adapted for determining a condition and/or an orientation of the end section with the working point based on its detection, in particular by a tracking system of the assistance system. The instrument further includes a second reference system arranged distally, in particular at the end section, in a predetermined, second condition relative to the working point, and which is designed as an optical, in particular planar, pattern adapted so that the position and/or orientation of the end section with the working point can be determined based on its optical detection, in particular by an optical recording system of the assistance system.

Abstract: A method for registering output of sensor-enabled implants with a bone axis during robotically-assisted arthroplasty procedures comprises registering anatomy of a patient to a surgical tracking system, determining a bone axis of a bone of the anatomy using the surgical tracking system, preparing the bone to receive a prosthetic implant including an orientation sensor, inserting the prosthetic implant into the bone, obtaining orientation output from the orientation sensor, and shifting the orientation output from the orientation sensor to align with the bone axis. A system for registering output of sensor-enabled implants with a bone axis during robotically-assisted arthroplasty procedures comprises a surgical robot comprising an arm configured to move within a coordinate system, a tracking system configured determine locations of one or more trackers in the coordinate system, a sensor-enabled implant configured to implanted into anatomy and output orientation data, and a controller for the surgical robot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-steering endoluminal system comprising an endoluminal device comprising a steerable elongated body and a computer memory storage medium, comprising one or more modules: a Navigational module comprising instructions for generating navigational actions to be performed by said steerable elongated body of said endoluminal device to reach a desired location as selected in a digital endoluminal map; a Deformation module comprising instructions for assessing potential deformations to one or more lumens caused by said navigational actions performed; a Stress module comprising instructions for assessing potential stress levels on said lumens caused by said navigational actions; and a High-level module comprising instructions to receive information from one or more of said Navigational module, Deformation module and Stress module and generate instructions to actuate, and optionally also actuate, said steerable elongated body of said endoluminal device accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method are used for monitoring at least one medical device in a surgical environment. The system includes monitoring apparatuses that can be interconnected for data transmission in a monitoring network and that have a detection device designed to detect whether a transponder of a medical device is located in a detection region extending around the relevant monitoring apparatus. The monitoring apparatuses are arrangeable such that the detection regions overlap. The system also includes a data processing apparatus that is connectable via the monitoring network to the monitoring apparatuses for data transmission and that is designed to store points in time of detections of the transponder. The data processing apparatus can calculate time periods in which the transponder is located exclusively in one of the detection regions and/or to register sequences in which the monitoring apparatuses detect the transponder in the detection regions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal device that includes one or more radiopaque portions and that moves through a lumen of a subject. A sequence of radiographic images of a portion of the subject's body, in which the lumen is disposed, is acquired, during movement of the endoluminal device through the lumen. Locations at which the one or more radiopaque portions of the endoluminal device were imaged during the movement of the endoluminal device through the lumen are identified, by analyzing the sequence of radiographic images. A set of locations at which the one or more radiopaque portions were disposed during the movement of the endoluminal device through the lumen is defined, and an endoluminal path of the device through the lumen is estimated based upon the set of locations. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating one or more motions of an anatomical element are provided. A plurality of first pose information of a first tracker corresponding to pose information of the first tracker can be received over a period of time. One or more first motion phases of a first motion of an anatomical element can be determined based on the plurality of first pose information. A plurality of second pose information of a second tracker corresponding to pose information of the second tracker can be received over the period of time. One or more second motion phases of a second motion of the anatomical element can be determined based on the plurality of second pose information.

Abstract: A sensor array can detect a position of a magnetic element. The sensor array can include a printed circuit board and a plurality of sensors. The printed circuit board is configured to rotate about a rotation axis and relative to the magnetic element. The plurality of sensors are disposed circumferentially about the rotation axis and coupled to the printed circuit board. At least one sensor is disposed at a selected circumferential position relative to the rotation axis. The sensor is configured to change between an open state and a closed state in response to a change in the position of the magnetic element relative to the rotation axis.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for automatically exchanging a first end-effector on a robot arm with a second end-effector housed in a docking station. The first end-effector has a clamp that either engages or disengages the robot arm based upon an application of force of the robot arm onto the end-effector. The clamp has a spring loaded clip that disengages the first end-effector to allow the robot arm to move away from the released first end-effector. The robot arm is configured to automatically move to a port of a docking station housing the desired second end-effector using magnetic coils on the robot arm and the docking station to guide the robot arm.

Abstract: A medical device includes: a base unit including a driving source and a coupling portion connected to the driving source; a bendable unit including a bend portion configured to bend and a held portion coupled to the coupling portion and configured to move so as to bend the bend portion, the bendable unit being detachably attachable to the base unit; an operating portion movable between a fixed position where the coupling portion and the held portion are fixed to each other and a position where the coupling portion and the held portion are not fixed to each other, in a state where the bendable unit and the base unit are attached to each other; and fixation detection means configured to detect whether the operating portion is at the fixed position.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during surgery, particularly spinal surgery, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Several minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgeries were conceived, percutaneous technique being one of them. This procedures looks to establish a skin opening as small as possible by accessing inner organs via needle-puncture of the skin. The percutaneous technique is used in conjunction with a robotic surgical system to further enhance advantages of manual percutaneous techniques by improving precision, usability and/or shortening surgery time by removal of redundant steps.

Abstract: A robotic surgery system for cutting a bone of a patient includes a handheld manipulator configured to be manually moved in a global coordinate system relative to the bone. The handheld manipulator includes a cutting tool, a handle, and an actuator coupled between the handle and the cutting tool such that the actuator is configured to move the cutting tool relative to the handle. The system also includes a controller programmed to control the actuator to compensate for both operator tremor and patient movement.

Abstract: For teleoperation of a surgical robotic system, the control of the surgical robotic system accounts for a limited degree of freedom of a tool in a surgical robotic system. A projection from the greater DOF of the user input commands to the lesser DOF of the tool is included within or as part of the inverse kinematics. The projection identifies feasible motion in the end-effector domain. This projection allows for a general solution that works for tools having different degrees of freedom and will converge on a solution.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly includes a support, one macro-positioning arm, connected to the support and having a plurality of degrees of freedom. The macro-positioning arm includes a support member, at least two micro-positioning devices, each having a plurality of motorized degrees of freedom, connected in cascade to the support member of the macro-positioning arm, and at least two medical instruments. Each instrument is connected in cascade to each of the micro-positioning device and includes a jointed device having a plurality of motorized degrees of freedom including a plurality of rotational joints. Each of the at least two medical instruments has a shaft, suitable for distancing the jointed device from the micro-positioning devices by a predetermined distance in a shaft direction.

Abstract: A medical device includes a chassis component having a bottom and an opening defined in the bottom, and a capstan including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a spool between the upper and lower portions. The upper portion of the capstan is supported within the opening of the chassis component. The spool comprises a cable wrap surface and a side wall opposing the bottom of the upper chassis. The side wall of the spool can optionally slope away from the bottom of the chassis component. The medical device can further include a cable guide and a cable. The cable extends from the cable guide to the cable wrap surface of the spool.

Abstract: A user input system for providing input to a robotic surgical system for use in commanding motion of the robotic manipulator utilizes a surgeon input tool configured to be worn or held by a user. The surgeon input tool includes a plurality of LEDs, each emitting at different blink frequency and duty cycle. Event-based cameras disposed around a surgeon console are used to capture user movement of the surgeon input tool. The system receives input from the event cameras in response to sensing of light from the LEDs on the surgeon input tool, and uses that information to estimated position and/or orientation of the surgeon input tool. Motion commands corresponding to desired movement of the surgical instrument by the robotic manipulator arm are generated based on the estimated position or pose.

Abstract: Presented is an imaging (including cross-sectional imaging) guided whole-body stereotactic device adaptable to align and precisely orient a variety of medical devices/instruments such as differently sized needles, electrodes etc. into a patient's body for carrying out intended medical procedures in a minimally invasive manner. The proposed device is an assembly of multiple parts accompanied by a software program product.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination device for illuminating a surgical wound, which has a wound opening area and a depth extension direction, the illumination device including a control device for inputting information about a position of the wound opening area and the depth extension direction, and a plurality of lighting devices where at least one of the lighting devices emits light such that an illuminated area at least partially overlapping with the wound opening area and where the lighting devices are arranged in the array in a substantially unchangeable position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for image-guided surgery. Some systems include a near-eye unit, having a see-through augmented-reality display, which is configured to display graphical information with respect to a region of interest (ROI) on a body of a patient, including a bone inside the body, that is viewed through the display by a user wearing the near-eye unit. A processor, which is configured to access three-dimensional (3D) image data with respect to the bone, processes the 3D image data so as to identify a first 3D shape of the bone prior to a surgical procedure on the bone and a second 3D shape of the bone following the surgical procedure, to generate, based on the first and second 3D shapes, an image showing a part of the bone that was removed in the surgical procedure, and to present the image on the see-through augmented-reality display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding system for a surgical robotic system, comprising a tool guide (11), a tool (30), an intermediate part (60) mounted on the tool (30), and first and second coupling links (21, 22), and presenting: —a first guiding configuration in which the first coupling link (21, 22) couples the intermediate part (60) and the tool guide (11) so that both are mobile relative to each other according to a unique first degree of freedom corresponding to a translation along a tool guide axis (X); and—a second guiding configuration in which the second coupling link (22) couples the intermediate part (60) and the tool guide (11) so that both are mobile relative to each other according to the first degree of freedom and according to at least one additional degree of freedom.

Abstract: An irrigation guide for providing irrigation to the site of an osteotomy procedure. The irrigation guide includes an insertion end for insertion into an irrigation passage provided in a surgical template for guiding an osteotomy drill. The irrigation passage communicates with a guide chamber defined by the surgical template and surrounding the osteotomy site. The irrigation guide also includes a coupling end configured for connection with a source of irrigation fluid. The insertion end and the coupling end may be angled relative to one another. The insertion end of the irrigation guide may be inserted into and secured to the irrigation passage such that the irrigation guide provides a fluid communication pathway between the source of irrigation fluid and the guide chamber. The irrigation guide may be included in kits that include the surgical template and/or a drill bit configured to form the irrigation passage in the surgical template.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a user's dental arch based on two-dimensional (2D) images include a model training system and a model generation system where the model training system is configured to receive a plurality of data packets of a training set, identify, a plurality of correlation points between 2D training images and a 3D training model of the respective dental arch for each data packet, and generate a machine learning model configured to generate 3D models of dental arches from 2D images of the dental arches. The model generation system is configured to receive one or more 2D images of a dental arch of a user obtained by a portable device of the user, and generate a 3D model of the dental arch of the user by applying the one or more 2D images of the dental arch to the machine learning model.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for determining a teeth setup score for a teeth aligner setup of a patient. The method can include: receiving, by a computer system, oral scan data for a patient including a dental impression generated by a dental impression station, image data of the patient's mouth generated by an image capture system, and/or motion data of the patient's jaw movement generated by a motion capture system, generating a teeth aligner setup for the patient based on the oral scan data, simulating movement of one or more teeth of the patient using the teeth aligner setup, generating a movement report based on the simulated movement, determining a teeth setup score for the teeth aligner setup based on providing the movement report as input to a machine learning model, and returning the teeth setup score for presentation in a computing device's GUI display for a relevant user.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a dental treatment plan. Some embodiments relate to determining a double helix structure. Some embodiments relate to optimizing the positioning of natural teeth, prosthetic teeth, or both to achieve desirable functional and aesthetic characteristics. In some embodiments, machine learning models can be used in determining a treatment plan for a dental patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone screw for 3D guided bone regeneration used in dental surgery for inducing and regenerating a part of alveolar bone defected in or around an implant surgery region. The bone screw includes: a head portion configured to provide a tenting function for a part of the alveolar bone to be regenerated or induced; a neck portion formed on a lower surface of the head portion; a screw portion formed beneath the neck portion and directly fixed to the alveolar bone in a thread fastening manner, wherein the alveolar bone can be induced or regenerated three-dimensionally. Since osteoinduction is promoted three-dimensionally to grow the alveolar bone rapidly by filling the bone graft, it is possible to shorten a period of the dental implant surgery procedure.

Abstract: Various implementations include a threaded implant. The threaded implant includes an implant body having an external thread on an external surface of the implant body. The implant body includes an upper portion with an open ceiling configured to receive one or more injectable bone inducing agents, a middle portion defining a hollow inner channel, and a lower portion with a closed floor. The hollow inner channel extends from the open ceiling to the closed floor. The middle portion defines one or more side openings extending from the hollow inner channel, rotating in a helix-like shape in a same direction as that of a plurality of turns of the external thread. The dimensions of the side openings are of sizes designed to enable bone and bone tissue ingrowth into the hollow inner channel and bone and bone tissue outgrowth from the hollow inner channel to the surrounding bone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an osseointegrative implant and related tools, components and fabrication techniques for surgical bone fixation and dental restoration purposes. In one embodiment an all-ceramic single-stage threaded or press-fit implant is provided having finely detailed surface features formed by ceramic injection molding and/or spark plasma sintering of a powder compact or green body comprising finely powdered zirconia. In another embodiment a two-stage threaded implant is provided having an exterior shell or body formed substantially entirely of ceramic and/or CNT-reinforced ceramic composite material. The implant may include one or more frictionally anisotropic bone-engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A premill abutment and a method of applying the premill abutment are provided. The premill abutment is the form of the abutments used in dental implant applications before being subjected to post-measurement shaping, specifically, the portion corresponding to the gingival region has a three-dimensional shape that is fully compatible with the shape of the gingiva former used in the treatment.

Abstract: A 3D printed dental implant. The 3D printed dental implant includes a 3D printed dental implant body, and a plurality of sensors embedded within the 3D printed dental implant body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impression tray for creating a dental impression of at least one tooth, comprising: a base element with a base surface, a first boundary element, and a second boundary element, wherein the first boundary element and the second boundary element are arranged at the base element to form a receiving tray between the first boundary element, the base surface and the second boundary element, that is adapted to receive a first dental impression material, wherein the base element comprises a cavity that at least partially extends underneath the base surface so that the cavity and the receiving tray are separated by a base layer of the base element, and wherein the base element comprises an aperture that is in fluid communication with the cavity and adapted to allow the injection of a second dental impression material into the cavity.

Abstract: A system comprises an intraoral scanner and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to: receive a plurality of intraoral scans of the dental arch; determine that an intraoral scan comprises a depiction of a first 3D surface and a depiction of at least a feature of a second 3D surface that is separated from the first 3D surface by at least one intervening 3D surface not shown in the at least one intraoral scan; stitch together the plurality of intraoral scans; and generate a virtual 3D model of the dental arch from the plurality of intraoral scans, wherein a distance between the first 3D surface and the second 3D surface in the virtual 3D model is based on the distance between first 3D surface and the feature of the second 3D surface in the at least one intraoral scan.

Abstract: A flossing apparatus for flossing between a dental bridge and a gum of a user includes a body, an arm, and a clasp. The arm and the clasp are coupled to and extend away from the body in a same direction. The arm and the clasp are also spaced across from each other. A rod is coupled to the arm, and a distal end of the rod with respect to the rod is releasably securable to the clasp. The rod is insertable between the dental bridge and the gum to floss between the dental bridge and the bum while the distal end is secured to the clasp.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for generating a jet of gas mixed with solid powder particles, comprised of a hand piece connected to a powder feeder, and attached by a supply cable to a source of electricity, compressed gas and liquid. The tip of the hand piece, which provides the jet of gas with solid powder particles, is comprised of a converging-diverging nozzle, where the converging-diverging nozzle inlet is operably coupled with a source of compressed gas and the diverging portion of this nozzle is operably coupled with a powder feeder. Compressed gas passing through this converging-diverging nozzle accelerates in the diverging portion to supersonic speed and creates a vacuum environment. This results in aspiration of solid powder particles from the feeder into this supersonic jet of gas. where the particles become entrained and accelerate to the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: A mount for an oral appliance. The mount comprises one or more holes that are configured to, when the mount is stretched in a first direction, cause a further deformation of the mount in at least one other direction, for example, to cause a bending or folding of the mount to improve clamping and conformation of the mount to oral tissues.

Abstract: A buffering capsule for buffering an anesthetic cartridge may include a housing including a hollow body, a closed distal end including a receptacle, and an opening opposite the closed distal end. The buffering capsule may include a buffering solution disposed within the receptacle and a flexible piston disposed within the receptacle in sealing contact with the buffering solution, wherein the flexible piston is axially movable within the housing. The buffering capsule may include a cannula holder axially movable within the housing and in contact with the flexible piston. The cannula holder may include a cannula fixedly attached to the cannula holder. The flexible piston may be capable of receiving a first sharpened point of the cannula. The buffering solution disposed within the receptacle may be fluidly connected to an anesthetic liquid in an anesthetic cartridge via the cannula. A process for buffering an anesthetic cartridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for managing a shape of a junction between a bladder and urethra, for example, to promote urinary continence after a prostatectomy.