Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. The antennas and interrogators/readers are included on a cannula of the trocar so the tagged medical procedure related objects passing through the cannula are detected. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate a first portion of the cannula, such as proximate a proximal end at which the medical procedure related objects are introduced to the cannula. A second set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate a second portion of the cannula, such as proximate a distal end at which objects exit the cannula for use in a medical procedure. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each supply, for instance, as entering or exiting the cannula.

Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Modulated light therapy devices for treatment of dermatological disorders of the scalp are provided. An exemplary device includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) supporting at least one light emitting device having an emitter height. The FPCB includes multiple interconnected panels and bending regions defined in and between at least some of the interconnected panels as to allow the FPCB to be configured in a concave shape to cover at least a portion of a cranial vertex of the patient. At least one light-transmissive layer proximate to the FPCB is configured to transmit (e.g., incoherent) light emissions generated by at least one light emitting device. At least one standoff is configured to be arranged between the FPCB and the scalp of the patient, wherein the at least one standoff includes a standoff height that exceeds the emitter height.

Surgical systems and related methods verify the presence of an unfired surgical cartridge mounted to a surgical instrument. The cartridge includes an input that is actuated in a firing direction to operate the cartridge. An actuation input that is limited to less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude is generated. The actuation input includes at least one of a torque or a force. The actuation input is transferred to an output of a surgical instrument to attempt to actuate the output opposite to the firing direction by a predetermined amount. The output is drivingly coupled with the cartridge input when the cartridge is mounted to the surgical instrument. The resulting actuation of the output is measured and compared with a threshold actuation amount. A determination is made that the cartridge is present and unfired when the resulting actuation of the output is less than the threshold actuation amount.

A surgical instrument system can comprise a surgical instrument, a first end effector, and a second end effector, wherein the end effectors are attachable to the surgical instrument. The first end effector can comprise a first set of stored data pertaining to the first end effector, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to ascertain the first set of data and enter a first operating state. The second end effector can comprise a second set of stored data pertaining to the second end effector, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to ascertain the second set of data and enter a second operating state. The surgical instrument is further configured to enter a default operating state if said surgical instrument is unable to ascertain a set of stored data from an end effector.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft, an end effector extending distally from the shaft, and a housing extending proximally from the shaft. The housing includes a motor configured to generate at least one motion to effectuate the end effector, and a power source configured to supply power to the surgical instrument, wherein the power source includes a casing, a data storage unit, and a deactivation mechanism configured to interrupt access to data stored in the data storage unit. In addition, the power source includes a battery pack and a deactivation mechanism configured to deactivate the battery pack if the casing is breached.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft, an end effector extending distally from the shaft, and a housing extending proximally from the shaft. The housing includes a motor configured to generate at least one motion to effectuate the end effector, and a power source configured to supply power to the surgical instrument, wherein the power source includes a casing, a data storage unit, and a deactivation mechanism configured to interrupt access to data stored in the data storage unit. In addition, the power source includes a battery pack and a deactivation mechanism configured to deactivate the battery pack if the casing is breached.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

In a surgical system in which surgical instruments are manipulated using robotic arms that move in response to user input from a plurality of input devices. Images capturing an instrument positioned within view of a camera are received. At least one characteristic of the surgical instrument is determined by the system based on the image data. The system automatically assigns the surgical instrument to a user input device, or controls movement of the robotic manipulator carrying the instrument, based on the at least one characteristic. The surgical instrument is then robotically maneuvered by the corresponding robotic arm based on user input to the user input device.

A detector and a method of its use with a guidewire to reduce the incidence of guidewires accidently being left inside patients during the placement of central venous (and other) catheters. In particular, an electronic detector detects whether a catheter has been placed over a guidewire and whether the guidewire has been removed thereafter. In addition, the distance the guidewire has progressed out the patient side of the detector housing which will correspond to the length of guidewire actually inside the patient and any time may be provided.