A system and method by which a catheter tube may be automatically driven to a target location within the body of a subject, such as an enteral cavity or respiratory tract of the subject. The catheter tube may include an imaging device, a transceiver, a spectrometer, and a battery embedded in a tube wall at a distal end of the catheter tube. The imaging device may capture image data of structures proximal to the distal end of the catheter tube. An articulated stylet may be inserted in the catheter tube, which may be controlled by a robotic control engine according to navigation data generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on the topographical image data. The spectrometer may sample and identify biomarkers proximal to the catheter tube. A remote computer may implement the robotic control engine and AI model and may wirelessly receive the image data from the transceiver.

A method for performing an efficient and thorough percutaneous discectomy includes making into the patient a percutaneous incision, which is a small stab wound, no more than approximately 10 mm in length. A stimulated combination neuro-monitoring dilating probe is passed through an approximately 10 mm or less skin incision and into a patient's disc space to establish a safe path and trajectory through Kambin's Triangle. Once a neuro-monitoring dilating probe is in the disc space, a second dilator is placed over the neuro-monitoring dilating probe and impacted into the disc space. Neuro-monitoring dilating probe may then be removed. An access portal optionally combined with a force dissipation device may then be placed over the second dilator and into the disc space. The second dilator is removed and then discectomy instruments may be placed through the access portal to perform the discectomy.

An apparatus for measuring lesion volume, for example, in laboratory animals, provides a mirror box allowing a camera to simultaneously acquire profiles of the lesion along at least two crossing axes from which accurate volume may be approximated at low cost.

A method for performing a sleeve gastrectomy includes providing a first medical device including a tube for insertion into an interior of a stomach, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shaping portion positioned at the distal end of the tube, providing an inflation lumen, and providing a second medical device, the second medical device being a stapler or clamp positioned externally on the stomach laterally adjacent to the first medical device. The method also includes introducing positive pressure into the stomach via the inflation lumen, defining a resection line for the sleeve gastrectomy, and clamping the stomach using the second medical device. The resection line is defined at least partially by the position of the second medical device relative to the first medical device when a predetermined positive pressure range is provided via the inflation lumen.

Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.

Disclosed is a method and system for performing a procedure. The system may include a navigation system to be used to at least assist in the procedure. The system may assist in delineating objects and/or determining physical characteristics of subject portions. The system may assist in performing and/or a workflow of the procedure.

According to an embodiment, an autonomous endoscopic system capable of controlling movement of an endoscope inserted into a protective sheath installed in the body of a patient may comprise: an endoscope operating device capable of operating a relative position of the endoscope with respect to the protective sheath, a rolling angle of the endoscope, and a bending angle of a bending portion which is located at the end of the endoscope and is bendable; and a control unit for controlling the endoscope operating device, wherein the control unit controls the endoscope operating device on the basis of a driving record of the endoscope.

A urolithiasis removing device according to one embodiment can comprise: an insertion tube; a guide which is inserted into the insertion tube and which is relatively movable with respect to the insertion tube; a wire which is inserted into the guide and which is relatively movable with respect to the guide; a basket positioned in front of the wire and capable of holding urolithiasis; and a control unit for determining the size of the urolithiasis on the basis of the relative movement of the guide with respect to the insertion tube or the relative movement of the wire with respect to the guide.

Technology is described that can be used for continuous measurements of blood pressure and arterial blood flow to automatically derive time-varying estimates of multiple factors pertaining to a patients vascular system. Such factors can include, but are not limited to, resistive flow, capacitive flow, vascular resistance, and arterial capacitance. Determination of such factors can allow for the meaningful assessment of the control of vascular resistance and capacitance in real time.

A system for the recovery of expanded refrigerant from a cryotreatment system for storage and disposal may generally include first fluid flow path having a first compressor and a fluid recovery reservoir, and a closed-loop second fluid flow path having a thermal exchange device that is in thermal communication with the fluid recovery reservoir, a second compressor, and a condenser. The first fluid flow path may include a primary refrigerant from a cryotreatment system and the closed-loop second fluid flow path may contain a secondary refrigerant for cooling the primary refrigerant within the fluid recovery reservoir. The refrigerant recovery conduit may be in fluid communication with both the cryotreatment system and a medical facility scavenging system. The refrigerant recovery conduit and the cryotreatment system may be located within the same cryotreatment console.