An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Systems, methods and devices are implemented for microscope imaging solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward an epifluorescence microscope. The microscope includes an image capture circuit including an array of optical sensor. An optical arrangement is configured to direct excitation light of less than about 1 mW to a target object in a field of view of that is at least 0.5 mm.sup.2 and to direct epi-fluorescence emission caused by the excitation light to the array of optical sensors. The optical arrangement and array of optical sensors are each sufficiently close to the target object to provide at least 2.5 μm resolution for an image of the field of view.

A system and method for compensation of angular distortions in a system utilizing light emitters and light sensors disposed on non-parallel jaws may include determining a first point at a first side of a region of interest and a second point at a second side of the region of interest, determining a linear curve including the first and second points, and utilizing the linear curve to remove the angular distortion from the region of interest between the first and second points. A system and method for compensation of angular distortions may alternatively include modeling a non-pulsatile illumination pattern according to the intensities of individual emitters, comparing the pattern according to the model against a non-pulsatile illumination pattern detected using the light sensors, and varying the intensities of the individual emitters based on the comparison until angular distortion has been removed.

A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

Robotic medical systems capable of manual manipulation are described. A robotic medical system can include a robotic arm and a sensor architecture. The sensor architecture can include one or more non-joint based sensors that are positioned to detect a first force exerted on the robotic arm. The robotic medical system can be configured to determine whether sensor data received from the sensor architecture meets first criteria. For example, the first criteria can be met in accordance with a determination that the first force exceeds a first threshold force. The robotic medical system can be configured to, in accordance with a determination that the first criteria are met, transition the robotic arm from a position control mode to a manual manipulation mode.

Disclosure herein are aerodynamic surgical lights and methods of manufacturing and use thereof. The aerodynamic surgical lights may include a light head made of one or more substantially tubular light housings. The substantially tubular light housings contain and protect a plurality of LED lights and their respective reflectors that aim a light beam toward the lower side of the substantially tubular light housings. The substantially tubular light housings are vertically elongate. The vertically elongated substantially tubular light housings include upper sections that are aerodynamically curved or pointed to streamline airflow past the light housings. The upper sections of the substantially tubular light housings are made of molded plastic resin reinforced with carbon fibers or glass fibers and the lower sections of the substantially tubular light housings are made of a clear moldable plastic.

The various embodiments described herein provide devices and methods for neuroablation in the tympanic cavity. Devices include an ablation effector that can be navigated into the tympanic cavity to ablate nerves therein in order to treat diseases caused due to the malfunction of these nerves.

A method is provided for making a fiber wire having a fiber bundle core and a polymer jacket. The method includes rotating a spool of fiber bundle about a first rotational axis to progressively unwind the fiber bundle from the spool. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of continuous synthetic fiber filaments. While the spool is rotated about the first rotational axis, the spool is simultaneously rotated about a second rotational axis to thereby twist the unwound fiber bundle about its longitudinal axis. The method further includes coating the twisted fiber bundle with a molten polymer, and permitting the molten polymer to cool to define a flexible outer jacket that encapsulates the twisted fiber bundle.

Selective reflection of light by ureters and by tissue around the ureters is used to safely and efficiently image the ureters. In one aspect, a plurality of surgical site scenes is captured. Each of the plurality of surgical site scenes is captured from reflected light having a different light spectrum. The plurality of captured surgical site scenes is analyzed to identify ureter tissue in the captured surgical site scenes. A surgical site scene is displayed on a display device. The displayed surgical site scene has ureter tissue artificially highlighted.

Certain aspects relate to biopsy apparatuses, systems and techniques for biopsy using a biopsy pattern. Some aspects relate to moving a distal portion of a medical instrument to one or more sample locations of the biopsy pattern and guiding the instrument to obtain tissue samples from the sample locations within the biopsy pattern. Some aspects relate to obtaining the biopsy pattern and adjusting the sample locations within the biopsy pattern based on various factors such as anatomical features.