The present invention is a novel device that improves the user's ability to carry or store a stethoscope while it is not in use, thereby enhancing the security of the stethoscope by preventing and reducing falls and collisions. In one embodiment, a device comprises two reversibly connectable connector sections that can be attached at different points along the stethoscope, such that a stable closed loop can be formed when the two sections are in the connected position. The sections can be unconnected easily by the user when the stethoscope is desired to be used, but resists unintended or accidental disconnection. In another embodiment, the device also enhances the ability of a user to identify the stethoscope by providing a surface for tags, text, or images. In other embodiments, embedded electronics provide enhanced tracking and communication options.

The present invention is a novel device that improves the user's ability to carry or store a stethoscope while it is not in use, thereby enhancing the security of the stethoscope by preventing and reducing falls and collisions. In one embodiment, a device comprises two reversibly connectable connector sections that can be attached at different points along the stethoscope, such that a stable closed loop can be formed when the two sections are in the connected position. The sections can be unconnected easily by the user when the stethoscope is desired to be used, but resists unintended or accidental disconnection. In another embodiment, the device also enhances the ability of a user to identify the stethoscope by providing a surface for tags, text, or images. In other embodiments, embedded electronics provide enhanced tracking and communication options.

In various embodiments of the invention, a manipulator attaches to and allows a sheath to be positioned inside the cervix and a catheter to thereby be inserted through the sheath and be positioned in a desired location in the uterus. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator may be attached or permanently connected to the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the sheath is fenestrated to allow the catheter to be detached from the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator allows the sheath to be positioned through the cervix canal to allow for catheter transmitted intrauterine pressure monitoring or balloon catheter assisted ripening of the cervix.

In various embodiments of the invention, a manipulator attaches to and allows a sheath to be positioned inside the cervix and a catheter to thereby be inserted through the sheath and be positioned in a desired location in the uterus. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator may be attached or permanently connected to the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the sheath is fenestrated to allow the catheter to be detached from the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator allows the sheath to be positioned through the cervix canal to allow for catheter transmitted intrauterine pressure monitoring or balloon catheter assisted ripening of the cervix.

A detachable motor pack, for use with multiple electrical surgical instruments, includes a housing; a plurality of motors retained within the housing; a controller configured to control one or more operations of the plurality of motors; a first interface portion, wherein the first interface portion is configured to releasably attach to a hand-held surgical instrument and to a robotic surgical instrument; and a second interface portion, wherein the second interface portion is configured to releasably attach to a first surgical tool of the hand-held surgical instrument and to a second surgical tool of the robotic surgical instrument.

Monitoring a patient can include a vital sign device including a skin contact and a demodulator circuit in communication with the electrically conductive skin contact, the demodulator circuit including: a physiological waveform data processing module configured to process the waveform data received from the electrically conductive skin contact; and a digitally encoded data processing module configured to detect and decode digitally encoded data modulated at the carrier frequency. Also included can be a signal conductive blanket including an extended touch point. A clinician contacts the extended touch point of the signal conductive blanket and the patient monitoring device to connect the vital sign device and the patient monitoring device.

A digital loupe system is provided which can include a number of features. In one embodiment, the digital loupe system can include a stereo camera pair and a distance sensor. The system can further include a processor configured to perform a transformation to image signals from the stereo camera pair based on a distance measurement from the distance sensor and from camera calibration information. In some examples, the system can use the depth information and the calibration information to correct for parallax between the cameras to provide a multi-channel image. Ergonomic head mounting systems are also provided. In some implementations, the head mounting systems can be configurable to support the weight of a digital loupe system, including placing one or two oculars in a line of sight with an eye of a user, while improving overall ergonomics, including peripheral vision, comfort, stability, and adjustability. Methods of use are also provided.

A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds. An integrated interface program allows such ultrasonic data to be invoked by a variety of such external applications having access to the integrated interface program via a standard, predetermined platform such as visual basic or c++.

A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds. An integrated interface program allows such ultrasonic data to be invoked by a variety of such external applications having access to the integrated interface program via a standard, predetermined platform such as visual basic or c++.

A surgical system includes at least two laparoscopic instruments having distal portions positionable in a body cavity. An endoscopic camera is carried by a robotic automated assistant and is positionable in the body cavity to capture images of a surgical site and the distal portions of the laparoscopic instruments. At least one computerized platform is configured for receiving input from a user input device indicating a user selection of a selected one of the laparoscopic instruments, visually identifying the selected one of said laparoscopic instruments using a graphic designator on said displayed images of the surgical site, tracking the selected laparoscopic instrument using image information received from said endoscopic camera, and causing the automated assistant to maneuver the endoscopic camera so as to focus said endoscope on s the selected laparoscopic instrument.