Robotic surgical instruments with a fluid flow control system for irrigation, aspiration, and blowing

In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical instrument is provided for the control of flows of one or more fluids into and out of a surgical site. The robotic surgical instrument may include a housing, a flow control system, a hollow tube, and one or more hose fittings. The housing to couple the instrument to a robotic arm. The flow control system mounted in the housing includes one or more controlled valves to control the flow of one or more fluids. The hollow tube has a first end mounted in the housing coupled to the flow control system. A second end of the hollow tube has one or more openings to allow the flow of fluids into and out of the surgical site. The hose fittings have a first end coupled to the flow control system and a second end to couple to hoses.

Ultrasonic surgical apparatus and method of driving ultrasonic treatment device

An ultrasonic surgical apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer for generating vibration in response to a drive signal to be given, and a treatment device having a probe to which the vibration is transferred from the ultrasonic transducer to effect treatment with the vibration. This device further comprises a signal generator for generating an AC signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and a modulator for modulating the AC signal generated by the signal generator to produce a drive signal to be given to the ultrasonic transducer.

System and methods for determining nerve direction to a surgical instrument

System (20) and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments (30) employed in accessing a surgical target site.

Percutaneous heart valve

A percutaneously inserted bistable heart valve prosthesis is folded inside a catheter for transseptal delivery to the patient's heart for implantation. The heart valve has an annular ring, a body member having a plurality of legs, each leg connecting at one end to the annular ring, claws that are adjustable from a first position to a second position by application of external force so as to allow ingress of surrounding heart tissue into the claws in the second position, and leaflet membranes connected to the annular ring, the body member and/or the legs, the leaflet membranes having a first position for blocking blood flow therethrough and a second position for allowing blood flow therethrough. The heart valve is designed such that upon removal of the external force the claws elastically revert to the first position so as to grip the heart tissue positioned within the claws, thereby holding the heart valve in place. The body member and claws may be integrated into a one-piece design. The heart valve may be used as a prosthesis for the mitral valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve, or tricuspid valve by adapting the annular ring to fit in a respective mitral, aortic, pulmonary, or tricuspid valve opening of the heart.

Switch mechanisms for safe activation of energy on an electrosurgical instrument

Various safe switching mechanisms are provided for use with electrosurgical instruments which prevent arcing between the high-energy contacts as the high-energy source is activated. The switching mechanisms generally include a pair of high-energy contacts and a pair of activation contacts. An actuator is provided which initially engages the high-energy contacts in advance of engagement of the activation contacts to prevent arcing and subsequently disengages the activation contacts in advance of the high-energy contacts as the energy source is deactivated. A method of switching power to an electrosurgical instrument while avoiding damage to high-energy contacts is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for processing analyte sensor data

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for processing sensor data, including calculating a rate of change of sensor data and/or determining an acceptability of sensor or reference data.

Software center and highly configurable robotic systems for surgery and other uses

Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided.

Hybrid magnetic-based and impedance-based position sensing

A position sensing system includes a probe adapted to be introduced into a body cavity of a subject. The probe includes a magnetic field transducer and at least one probe electrodes. A control unit is configured to measure position coordinates of the probe using the magnetic field transducer. The control unit also measures an impedance between the at least one probe electrodes and one or more points on a body surface of the subject. Using the measured position coordinates, the control unit calibrates the measured impedance.

TWO-PIECE PERCUTANEOUS PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM

A percutaneous heart valve assembly includes a gasket member or other first prosthesis and a valve member or other second prosthesis. The first and second prostheses are contractible from an enlarged or relaxed condition into a contracted or delivery condition. The prostheses may be loaded into the same or separate catheters or other delivery devices for delivery through a patient's vasculature to an implantation site, e.g., a biological annulus within a heart. The first prosthesis may be deployed adjacent or within the biological annulus and secured at least partially into the biological annulus. The second prosthesis may then be deployed adjacent the biological annulus, expanded, and docked to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the first and/or second prostheses may be advanced over one or more sutures or other filaments secured to tissue surrounding or adjacent the biological annulus.

System for treating a wound with suction and method detecting loss of suction

A system for applying suction to a wound uses a reference airflow for monitoring system operation. A reference airflow (or “controlled leak”) to the suction source is provided when the system is in operation, such that deviation from the reference airflow can be monitored as an indication of a change in operation, such as a leak in the seal of the wound cover, a blockage of airflow from crimping of the suction conduit or overfill of the waste collector, or an inadvertent turn off or disconnect from the suction source.