An exemplary tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, for example, a first electrically conductive layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can be included which can at least partially surrounding the second electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrically conductive layer can form a structure which has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the lumen, where the first side can be longer than the second side thereby forming a sharp pointed end via the first side at a distal-most portion. The exemplary configuration can be used for (a) determination/detection of a tissue type using impendence of the electrically conductive layers, and/or (ii) determination of a location of at least one portion of the insertion device/apparatus. Based on such determination, it is possible to effectuate ablation or heating of tissue by applying RF energy across the electrically conductive layers.

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing intelligent assistance (“IA”) ecosystem. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive device data associated with a device(s) configured to perform a task(s), might receive sensor data associated with sensors configured to monitor at least one of biometric, biological, genetic, cellular, or procedure-related data of a subject, and might receive imaging data associated with an imaging device(s) configured to generate images of a portion(s) of the subject. The computing system might analyze the received device data, sensor data, and imaging data (collectively “received data”), might map two or more of the received data to a 3D or 4D representation of the portion(s) of the subject based on the analysis, might generate and present (using a user experience (“UX”) device) one or more extended reality (“XR”) images or experiences based on the mapping.

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.

There is provided a method of displaying a pre-acquired three dimensional (3D) image of at least a portion of an organ of a patient, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of electrical readings, each from a different electrode mounted on a catheter inside the portion of the organ of the patient, wherein the electrodes are mounted on the catheter at known distances from each other, transforming the plurality of electrical readings to a corresponding plurality of image points using a mapping transformation that transforms each electrical reading of the catheter from inside the portion of the organ of the patient to an anatomically corresponding image point in the 3D image based on the known distances, and displaying the 3D image with a marking of at least one of the plurality of image points.

In one embodiment, a method to find tissue proximity indications includes inserting a catheter into a body part of a living subject such that electrodes of the catheter contact tissue at respective locations within the body part, receiving signals provided by the electrodes, selectively rewarding and penalizing a reinforcement learning agent over reinforcement learning exploration phases to learn at least one tissue proximity policy responsively to at least one of the received signals, applying the reinforcement learning agent in reinforcement learning exploitation phases to find respective tissue-proximity actions to be taken that maximize respective expected rewards responsively to the at least one tissue proximity policy, and providing respective derived tissue-proximity indications of proximity of a given one of the electrodes with the tissue responsively to the found respective tissue-proximity actions.

An exemplary tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, for example, a first electrically conductive layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can be included which can at least partially surrounding the second electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrically conductive layer can form a structure which has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the lumen, where the first side can be longer than the second side thereby forming a sharp pointed end via the first side at a distal-most portion. The exemplary configuration can be used for (a) determination/detection of a tissue type using impendence of the electrically conductive layers, and/or (ii) determination of a location of at least one portion of the insertion device/apparatus. Based on such determination, it is possible to effectuate ablation or heating of tissue by applying RF energy across the electrically conductive layers.

This disclosure is directed to techniques for detecting and mitigating inaccurate sensing in a medical system. In some examples, one or more sensors of the medical system may include at least one electrode configured to sense an impedance of a portion of a patient's body proximate to the electrode and processing circuitry of the medical system may detect an inaccuracy in the data corresponding to the one or more patient physiological parameters based upon data including at least the sensed impedance of the portion of the patient body; correct at least a portion of the inaccuracy in the data corresponding to the one or more patient physiological parameters; and generate, for display on a display device, output data indicating the inaccuracy in the data corresponding to the one or more patient physiological parameters.

An electrode for neural sensing and stimulation comprising a first electrode disposed on a probe and a second electrode disposed on the probe, wherein a voltage or impedance is sensed using the first electrode and second electrode.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

A system and method for assessing effective delivery of ablation therapy to a tissue in a body is provided. A three-dimensional anatomical map of the tissue is generated and displayed with the map defining a corresponding volume. An index is generated corresponding to a location within the volume with the index indicative of a state of ablation therapy at the location. The index may be derived from one or more factors such as the duration an ablation electrode is present at the location, the amount of energy provided, the degree of electrical coupling between an ablation electrode and the tissue at the location and temperature. A visual characteristic (e.g., color intensity) of a portion of the anatomical map corresponding to the location is then altered responsive to the index.