A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed "plate," which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair. The cassette can be positioned inside a manikin, and can be used to train surgeons to repair human hernias using multiple techniques, including robot assisted and laparoscopic methods.
Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
A61B 17/06 - NeedlesHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
3.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SUTURING
An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
A61B 17/06 - NeedlesHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a video display processing system (320, 420) including a video source input component (421), a compositing component (422), and a composite video output component (423). The video source input component (421) is adapted to receive video data from a plurality of video sources (310, 410). The compositing component (422) is adapted to generate a composite video image from the video data. The composite video image is based at least in part on a configuration. The configuration specifies an arrangement of the video data. The composite video output component (423) is adapted to output the composite video image.
A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
A61B 17/06 - NeedlesHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
A suturing needle comprising a curved generally toroidal body, at least one substantially planar engagement surface defined on the generally toroidal body displaced from a radially inner region of the generally toroidal body, and suturing material including a flexible leader engaged to a wire suture connected to the second end of the needle. The curved generally toroidal body has a first sharp pointed end and a second end. The curved body has an arcuate extent less than about 330 degrees. The engagement surface is adapted and configured to receive a needle rotation drive of a suturing mechanism to facilitate driving the needle through a circular path.
A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
A61B 17/06 - NeedlesHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
8.
COMPENSATING FOR TIME VARYING PHASE CHANGES IN INTERFEROMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
An optical device under test (DUT) is interferometrically measured. The DUT can include one or more of an optical fiber, an optical component, or an optical system. First interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a first path to the DUT, and second interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a second somewhat longer path to the DUT. Because of that longer length, the second interference pattern data is delayed in time from the first interference pattern data. A time varying component of the DUT interference pattern data is then identified from the first and second interference pattern data. The identified time varying component is used to modify the first or the second interference pattern data to compensate for the time-varying phase caused by vibrations, etc. One or more optical characteristics of the DUT may then be determined based on the modified interference pattern data.
An optical device under test (DUT) is interferometrically measured. The DUT can include one or more of an optical fiber, an optical component, or an optical system. First interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a first path to the DUT, and second interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a second somewhat longer path to the DUT. Because of that longer length, the second interference pattern data is delayed in time from the first interference pattern data. A time varying component of the DUT interference pattern data is then identified from the first and second interference pattern data. The identified time varying component is used to modify the first or the second interference pattern data to compensate for the time-varying phase caused by vibrations, etc. One or more optical characteristics of the DUT may then be determined based on the modified interference pattern data.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
10.
HAND-ACTUATED DEVICE FOR REMOTE MANIPULATION OF A GRASPING TOOL
The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments (A1, B1, D1) at the proximal end (106, 107, 121, 606, 806, 1711, 1801) of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments (A2, B2, D2) at the distal end (108, 109, 123, 604, 808, 1721, 1822) of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables (104) in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.
The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments (A1, B1,D1) at the proximal end (106, 107, 121, 606, 1711, 1801) of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments (A2, B2, D2) at the distal end (108, 109, 123, 604, 808, 1721, 1822) of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables (104) in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows such segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.
A61B 34/00 - Computer-aided surgeryManipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
B25J 1/00 - Manipulators positioned in space by hand
12.
ARTICULATING MECHANISM FOR REMOTE MANIPULATION OF A SURGICAL OR DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
The invention relates to a device (DS), for superimposing known patterns, characteristic of a region, on (real) images of said region. The device (D) comprises, a memory (21) in which patterns are stored, which are representative of a selected region, of known position and orientation with relation to a common reference and processing means (22), for determining a pattern representative of the selected portion in the memory (21), on receipt of the designation of at least one portion of an observed image of the selected region, taken at a selected angle and at least one representative attribute of said region, taking account of the attribute selected, then superimposing the determined pattern on the selected portion of the image taking account of the selected angle.
The invention relates to a device (DS), for superimposing known patterns, characteristic of a region, on (real) images of said region. The device (D) comprises, a memory (21) in which patterns are stored, which are representative of a selected region, of known position and orientation with relation to a common reference and processing means (22), for determining a pattern representative of the selected portion in the memory (21), on receipt of the designation of at least one portion of an observed image of the selected region, taken at a selected angle and at least one representative attribute of said region, taking account of the attribute selected, then superimposing the determined pattern on the selected portion of the image taking account of the selected angle.
A61B 1/05 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
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