Fiducial marker devices and systems that facilitate improved tracking in surgical environments are disclosed. In one example, this technology includes a fiducial marker device having active and backing layers in which the backing layer includes beacon(s) or a printed visual pattern. The adhesive layer includes an adhesive material to facilitate adhesion of the fiducial marker device when in contact with fluid associated with an anatomical structure. In another example, a fiducial marker stamp pen includes a body and a shaft disposed within an inner lumen of the body and coupled to a slider. The slider is advanced to move the shaft to deposit a material, via cutouts in a tip of the body or embossed features extending from a tip of the shaft, on an anatomical structure. In yet another example, a fiducial marker deformable applicator assembly is configured to deposit a pattern that can represent a fiducial marker.

A radiopaque fiducial marker (RFM) includes an implantable marker element having a density ranging from about 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 such that the implantable marker element is radiopaque but does not create artifacts under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound imaging. The RFM may be a filament with a radiodensity of between +100 to +2800 Hounsfield Units, or the filament may have a radiodensity of at least 100 Hounsfield Units above the radiodensity of adjacent soft tissue, or a radiodensity of at least 100 Hounsfield Units below the radiodensity of adjacent bony anatomy.

Fluid delivery devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein may include a cannula that may include a shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen. A plurality of radial apertures may be disposed along a delivery portion of the shaft. Each radial aperture may be in fluid communication with the lumen. At least one echogenic marker may be disposed along the shaft within or adjacent to the delivery portion. A body may be disposed within the distal end of the shaft.

An impedance reflector apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for detecting a marker implanted within tissue that includes a switch for changing a configuration of an antenna of the marker. The apparatus includes a set of transmit electrodes coupled to a signal generator for transmitting a drive current into tissue to generate an electromagnetic field around the marker, a set of receive electrodes configured to detect voltage signals within the tissue corresponding to the electromagnetic field, and a light source for delivering light pulses into the body to open and close the switch to change the configuration of the antenna of the marker. A processor coupled to the receive electrodes processes the detected voltage signals to identify changes in the electromagnetic field that are synchronized with the light pulses to determine whether the marker is operating properly.

Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

An implant can include a flexible body made of a non-bioresorbable hydrogel material. The implant can also include a radiopaque marker located within the flexible body, where the body and the radiopaque marker can be implanted in a body cavity to mark the cavity in a radiographic image of the cavity.

Embodiments of the invention are directed towards a medical device, method and system thereof for the placement or passage of patches, sutures, anchors, tags, tissue sensors and more particularly to a medical device for repairing female pelvic organ or tissue prolapsed region. The device may be used for the placement of stereotactic markers into tissue near joints or tumors for guidance during orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures.

The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a patient-specific or patient-matched, customized apparatus for assisting in various surgical procedures. In varying embodiments, patient-specific guides may comprise multiple patient-specific surfaces for mating with the underlying patient anatomy and may further comprise one or more protrusions or projections for facilitating placement and attachment, at least temporarily, to the desired location of the patient's anatomy. The apparatus described herein are preferably used with cervical and/or certain thoracic levels of the human spine and may comprise single or multi-level guides for placement of instruments and/or implants during a variety of surgical procedures.

A method for connecting an X-ray marker to a medical implant includes providing a medical implant having an opening for receiving the X-ray marker. An X-ray marker is provided. The X-ray marker is glued into the opening with a liquid adhesive that includes at least one first component including a fibrinogen.