52106 results about "Physical medicine and rehabilitation" patented technology

A surgical instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes a handle assembly and a drive system that is at least partially supported by the handle assembly. A surgical implement may be operably coupled to the handle assembly for receiving at least two independent drive motions from the drive system to cause the surgical implement to perform at least two surgical activities. The instrument may further include a timing indicator on at east one of the handle assembly and the surgical implement to provide an indication of an amount of time that has elapsed from an application of one of the control motions while maintaining an ability to selectively apply a second control motion after the first control motion has been applied.

A robot system for use in surgical procedures has two movable arms each carried on a wheeled base with each arm having a six of degrees of freedom of movement and an end effector which can be rolled about its axis and an actuator which can slide along the axis for operating different tools adapted to be supported by the effector. Each end effector including optical force sensors for detecting forces applied to the tool by engagement with the part of the patient. A microscope is located at a position for viewing the part of the patient. The position of the tool tip can be digitized relative to fiducial markers visible in an MRI experiment. The workstation and control system has a pair of hand-controllers simultaneously manipulated by an operator to control movement of a respective one or both of the arms. The image from the microscope is displayed on a monitor in 2D and stereoscopically on a microscope viewer. A second MRI display shows an image of the part of the patient the real-time location of the tool. The robot is MRI compatible and can be configured to operate within a closed magnet bore. The arms are driven about vertical and horizontal axes by piezoelectric motors.

The present invention provides a micro-robot for use inside the body during minimally-invasive surgery. The micro-robot includes an imaging devices, a manipulator, and in some embodiments a sensor.

A surgical instrument includes a drive member movable by a drive motor between a home position and an end of stroke. A mechanical stop is disposed at or near the end of stroke and is structured to increase resistance to movement of the drive member from a first position to a second position. A control system detects a current spike associated with the increased resistance and interrupts power to the drive motor.

The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. These tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements of the end effector. Control mechanisms and methods refine operator control of end effector actuation and of these articulational and rotational movements. A rotation lock provides for enablement and disablement of rotatability of the end effector. The tool may also include other features. A multi-state ratchet for end effector actuation provides enablement-disablement options with tactile feedback. A force limiter mechanism protects the end effector and manipulated objects from the harm of potentially excessive force applied by the operator. An articulation lock allows the fixing and releasing of both neutral and articulated configurations of the tool and of consequent placement of the end effector.

Methods and systems for monitoring, diagnosing and / or treating psychological conditions and / or disorders in patients with the aid of computer-based virtual reality simulations. Pursuant to one preferred embodiment, a computer program product is used to control a computer. The program product includes a computer-readable medium, and a controlling mechanism that directs the computer to generate an output signal for controlling a video display device. The video display device is equipped to display representations of three-dimensional images, and the output signal represents a virtual reality simulation directed to diagnosis and / or treatment of a psychological condition and / or disorder.

An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.

A nutrition and activity management system is disclosed that monitors energy expenditure of an individual through the use of a body-mounted sensing apparatus. The apparatus is particularly adapted for continuous wear. The system is also adaptable or applicable to measuring a number of other physiological parameters and reporting the same and derivations of such parameters. A weight management embodiment is directed to achieving an optimum or preselected energy balance between calories consumed and energy expended by the user. An adaptable computerized nutritional tracking system is utilized to obtain data regarding food consumed, Relevant and predictive feedback is provided to the user regarding the mutual effect of the user's energy expenditure, food consumption and other measured or derived or manually input physiological contextual parameters upon progress toward said goal.

In one embodiment, a display unit to be mounted on a wrist of a user includes a display screen, a base, and at least one strap. The display unit is configured such that, when it is worn by the user, the display screen is oriented at an angle with respect to a surface of the user's wrist. In another embodiment, visually-perceptible information indicative of determined values of the instantaneous pace of a user and the average pace of the user are displayed, simultaneously. In another embodiment, visually-perceptible information indicative of the determined values of the at least one variable physiological parameter of the user and the at least one performance parameter of the user are displayed, simultaneously.

A surgical manipulator (10) can manipulate a medical tool (12) with one or more degrees of freedom. In preferred embodiments, the manipulator (10) is a parallel mechanism including a plurality of arms (21, 22) pivotally supporting a medical tool (12), with the orientation of the medical tool (12) being adjusted by varying the position of joints (23, 24) mounted on the arms (21, 22). The motions of the joints (23, 24) can be controlled such that the tool (12) is pivoted about a virtual pivot point located within the body wall of a patient (30). The manipulator (10) can enhance the dexterity of an operator and enable the operator to perform medical procedures more easily than by hand.

In one embodiment, a method includes steps of: (a) identifying an average foot contact time of a user during a first outing; (b) identifying an average pace of the user during the first outing; (c) defining a relationship between foot contact times of the user and corresponding paces of the user, wherein the relationship is based upon the average foot contact time and the average pace identified during the first outing, and wherein no other average foot contact times and no other average paces identified during any different outings by the user are used to define the relationship; and (d) calibrating at least one device that monitors activity of the user in locomotion on foot based upon the defined relationship between foot contact times of the user and corresponding paces of the user. In another embodiment, a method includes steps of: (a) determining a single user-specific calibration constant that defines a relationship between foot contact times of a user and corresponding paces of the user, wherein no other user-specific calibration constants are used to define the relationship; and (b) calibrating at least one device that monitors activity of the user in locomotion on foot based upon the relationship between foot contact times of the user and corresponding paces of the user that is defined by the single user-specific calibration constant.

A respiratory mask having a flexible, mask seal portion for engagement with the face of a user, a gel forehead cushion and a rotatable elbow coupling having integral exhaust ports. The mask seal portion has a thin section which permits the mask to more easily adapt to the contour of the face of the user. The gel forehead cushion provides increased compliancy and resiliency to better adapt to multiple user physical profiles. The elbow coupling includes tapered through holes in a polycarbonate arc piece to provide a quiet passage of gas through the holes.

A system to assist an individual in developing a therapy in diabetes treatment of a patient includes a user interface control module, a simulation engine, a charting and display module. The user interface control module receives an input related to the patient and captures a current time of the simulation. The simulation engine receives the input, generates a plurality of blood glucose readings for the patient up to the current time of the simulation based on the input, and to transfers the plurality of blood glucose readings. The charting and display module receives the plurality of blood glucose readings and display the plurality of blood glucose readings. The simulation engine receives patient parameters from a patient parameter library based on a selected patient model.

A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying separate and independent gains to flow rates of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure (bi-level PAP) equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.

The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel worn by a monitored individual, the apparel having attached sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function, or parameters reflecting cardiac function, or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems, and the apparel being designed and tailored to be comfortable during the individual's normal daily activities. The apparel is preferably also suitable for athletic activities. The sensors preferably include one or more ECG leads and one of more inductive plethysmographic sensor with conductive loops positioned closely to the individual to preferably monitor at least basic cardiac parameters, basic pulmonary parameters, or both. The monitoring apparatus also includes a unit for receiving data from the sensors, and for storing the data in a computer-readable medium. The invention also includes systems comprising a central data repository for receiving, storing, and processing data generated by a plurality of physiological monitored apparatus, and for making stored data available to the individual and to health care providers.

A surgical tool system including a laparoscopic surgical tool for heating, ablating, sealing, and / or dissecting tissue, a control system for monitoring impedance of the tissue during treatment thereof, and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback from the control system in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the tool user of changes in tissue properties, i.e., when the impedance of the tissue indicates that the treatment procedure is complete. In addition, the tactile feedback provided may supply information relating to the operating status of the control system to the user.

Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and / or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope. Movement of the flexible neck can be used to control positioning of a tool extending through the flexible neck.

The present invention is a fully automated computer controlled system for adjustment of neurostimulation implants used in pain therapy and in treating neurological dysfunction which includes a patient interactive computer, and a universal transmitter interface integrally embedded in the patient interactive computer, or built into the antenna which is capable of stimulating any type of implanted neurostimulation devices by imitating any of the proprietary programming codes. The patient interacts with the system through the patient interactive computer (containing a unique software) which provides for consistency check of the data entered by the patient, deleting the entered data if the consistency check was not satisfactory, and requesting the patient to re-enter the data.

An apparatus in a total knee replacement and arthroplasty operation for measuring a joint gap and ligament balance between a osteotomized surface at a femoral distal end and a osteotomized surface at a tibial proximal end. The apparatus is provided with a base 10, from which an engaging plate 14 extends by way of an arm, so that the engaging plate 14 contacts with the osteotomized surface at the tibial proximal end. A moving body 18 is vertically movably connected to the base 10, from which moving body 18 an arm 20 extends, to which arm a supporting plate 22 is rotatably mounted about a central axis. The supporting plate 22 has, at its top surface, a projected portion 48. to which an auxiliary guiding piece 50 is connected under a snap like fitted manner. A femoral component 52 is mounted, at its groove portion 54, to the osteotomized surface at the femoral distal end. The engaging plate 14 as well as the supporting plate 22 are under an offset arrangement with respect to the base and moving body, respectively.

Abstract of Disclosure Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device s activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.

An electrosurgical system can include an electrosurgical generator, a feedback circuit or controller, and an electrosurgical tool. The feedback circuit can provide an electrosurgery endpoint by determining the phase end point of a tissue to be treated. The electrosurgical system can include more than one electrosurgical tool for different electrosurgical operations and can include a variety of user interface features and audio / visual performance indicators. The electrosurgical system can also power conventional bipolar electrosurgical tools and direct current surgical appliances.

The present invention is directed to a method and system for measuring the biologically based responses of an audience to a presentation that provides sensory stimulating experience and determining a measure of the level and pattern of engagement of that audience to the presentation. In particular, the invention is directed to a method and system for measuring one or more biologically based responses of one or more persons being exposed to the presentation in order to determine the moment-to-moment pattern and overall level of engagement. Further, the invention can be used to determine whether the presentation or the content in the presentation is more effective in a population relative to other presentations (or content) and other populations and to help identify elements of the presentation that contribute to the high level of engagement and the effectiveness and success of the presentation for that population.

Methods and apparatus proved for: simultaneously monitoring at least one of nerve and muscle electrical activity on respective sides of a target plexus of a patient; identifying desired electrical activity of at least one of nerves and muscles on both sides of the target plexus based on the monitored activity; and modulating the electrical activity of the at least one of nerves and muscles on both sides of the target plexus to achieve a therapeutic result.

The robot arm of the present application is a robot arm that transports semiconductor wafers. The robot arm includes a hand, a lower arm link, and an upper arm link. The hand is connected to the lower arm link via a first joint. The upper arm link is connected to the lower arm link via a second joint. In the robot arm of the present application, the lower arm link is capable of being separated at a location between the first joint and the second joint.

A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee comprises a femoral assembly comprising a stationary femoral member attachable to the distal femur, an adjustable femoral member movably coupled with the stationary member to adjust tension in at least one ligament of or adjacent the knee and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the assembly. The adjustable member includes at least one positioning feature that moves relative to the distal femur as the adjustable member is adjusted and identifies at least one position on the distal femur. The adjustable member is movably couplable with a tibial member engaged with a proximal tibia to allow the knee to be moved through a range of motion without removing the femoral and tibial members. The mechanism includes an actuator positioned proximate a medial or lateral portion of the adjustable member. The actuator is configured to adjust an opposite portion of the adjustable member.