A method and system for propelling and controlling displacement of a microrobot in a space having a wall, includes the steps of: forming the microrobot with a body containing a magnetic field-of-force responsive material, wherein, in response to a magnetic field of force, a force is applied to the material in a direction of the magnetic field of force; positioning the microrobot in the space for displacement in that space; and generating the magnetic field of force with a predetermined gradient and applying the magnetic field of force to the microrobot propelling the microrobot through the space in a direction of a field of force. Then, a sequence of field generating steps are executed, wherein each step includes calculating the direction, amplitude and spatial variation of the net field of force to control displacement of the microrobot in the space and against the wall from one equilibrium point to another.

An apparatus and method for an articulating microsurgical instrument is disclosed herein. The articulating microsurgical instrument may be configured to be operable with a Doppler probe, bone grasper, soft tissue grasper/dissector, scissors, flexible forceps, or a suction/irrigation line configured to provide tools within a surgical location that can be adjusted to a desired angle of operation. A tip assembly may comprise an articulating portion at a distal tip and the articulating portion may be configured to deflect upon actuation of an articulation control. The articulation control may be a trigger assembly or a roller wheel. A bayonet-style handle may include a set of posts configured to interact with the one or more control wires during actuation of the articulation control. One or more control wires may be housed in a lumen and actuated using a articulation control of a handle assembly.

A surgical device includes a jaw assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; an elongated body defining a second longitudinal axis and coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly is configured to articulate about an articulation axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis relative to the elongated body; and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and including at least one motor mechanically coupled to the jaw assembly and a control assembly including a first control button and a second control button, wherein actuation of the first control button moves the second jaw in approximation relative to the first jaw and actuating the second control button moves the second jaw away from the first jaw, and actuating the first and second control buttons moves the jaw assembly to a centered position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially aligned, the handle assembly further includes an illumination member configured to output a light pattern indicative of a status of the surgical instrument.

An ultrasonic robotic cleaner freely movable back and forth inside a blood vessel, having an elongated shell, electrical driving mechanisms, a storage battery, and a high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit; each electrical driving mechanism is formed by propellers, an ultra-micro motor, and a gear assembly; the high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit and the storage battery are mounted inside the elongated shell; the high frequency ultrasonic vibration unit and the ultra-micro motor are electrically connected with the storage battery; the electrical driving mechanisms are disposed at two ends of the elongated shell respectively. The robotic cleaner moves inside the blood vessel and achieves blood cavitation so that blood lipids are fragmented into finer particles which are eventually burnt due to peroxidation and metabolism and transformed into energy, water and CO.sub.2.

A surgical device is provided. The surgical device includes a jaw assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; an elongated body defining a second longitudinal axis and coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly is configured to articulate about an articulation axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis relative to the elongated body; and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and including at least one motor mechanically coupled to the jaw assembly and a control assembly including a first control button and a second control button, wherein actuation of the first control button moves the second jaw in approximation relative to the first jaw and actuating the second control button moves the second jaw away from the first jaw, and actuating the first and second control buttons moves the jaw assembly to a centered position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially aligned, the handle assembly further includes an illumination member configured to output a light pattern indicative of a status of the surgical instrument.

A method where a propeller is set into locomotion relative to a medium at least partially surrounding the propeller. An actuator induces a rotation of the propeller relative to the medium and about a rotational axis of the propeller, and the propeller converts its rotational movement into locomotion relative to the medium. The aspect ratio of at least one cross-section of the propeller is three or more. Also a helical or modifiedly helical propeller for converting rotational movement of the propeller into locomotion of the propeller relative to a medium at least partially surrounding the propeller, where the aspect ratio of at least one cross section of the propeller is three or more. And a method of producing a propeller, including the step of providing a plate extending along the helical axis, where the aspect ratio of at least one cross section of the plate is three or more.

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling Chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

A method where a propeller is set into locomotion relative to a medium at least partially surrounding the propeller. An actuator induces a rotation of the propeller relative to the medium and about a rotational axis of the propeller, and the propeller converts its rotational movement into locomotion relative to the medium. The aspect ratio of at least one cross-section of the propeller is three or more. Also a helical or modifiedly helical propeller for converting rotational movement of the propeller into locomotion of the propeller relative to a medium at least partially surrounding the propeller, where the aspect ratio of at least one cross section of the propeller is three or more. And a method of producing a propeller, including the step of providing a plate extending along the helical axis, where the aspect ratio of at least one cross section of the plate is three or more.

A robotic surgery assembly for robotic-aided microsurgery includes at least one transmission component; at least one motorized manipulator including at least one motorized linear slider; and at least one sterile adapter including a coupling device suitable for connecting to a surgical instrument. The transmission component is interposed between the at least one motorized manipulator and at least one sterile adapter, so to rigidly determine at least the relative mutual position of the at least one motorized linear slider of the motorized manipulator and the coupling device sterile adapter.