The present invention relates to a surgical skull clamp (1) and a method for the manufacture of a surgical skull clamp (1). In one embodiment of the surgical skull clamp (1) at least a part of the surgical skull clamp (1) has at least two different structures.

Embodiments of the present invention provide medical devices and methods for occluding a target site are provided. For example, the medical device may include a tubular member having proximal and distal ends and at least one plane of occlusion. The at least one plane of occlusion may be configured to substantially occlude the patent ductus arteriosus in less than about 1 minute. In addition or alternatively, the tubular member may consist of a single layer of material and be configured to be constrained within a catheter having an outer diameter of less than about 4 French for percutaneous delivery to the patent ductus arteriosus.

The present invention relates to a minimally invasive medical instrument (100) having a proximal end (100b) and a distal end (100a) and comprising a sensor arrangement (10) arranged at the distal end (100b) of the medical instrument (100). The sensor arrangement (10) comprises a sensor (20) configured to generate sensor data in the form of an electrical sensor signal, and a data conversion device (40) configured to convert the electrical sensor signal into an optical signal and comprising an electrical input (41) for receiving the electrical sensor signal and an optical output (42) for transmitting the optical signal. The sensor arrangement (10) further comprises an optical fiber (50) configured to transmit the optical signal from the distal end (100a) to the proximal end (100b), the optical fiber (50) coupled to the output of the data conversion device (40) for receiving the optical signal, the optical fiber (50) extending from the distal end (100a) to the proximal end (100b) of the instrument (100). The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a minimally invasive medical instrument (100).

An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.

Improvements for use with tissue expanders are provided. A tissue expander includes: a selectively inflatable and deflatable shell that is configured to be implanted; and an access port for selectively inflating and deflating the shell, the access port comprising a sidewall, a base at a first end, and a membrane at a second end opposite the first end wherein the sidewall and the base of the access port are constructed of a material that is non-reactive with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine; and a structure of the access port is composed of a material that has a rate of temperature change lower than that of human tissue.

Devices and systems used to ablate tissue of a tumor using laser energy are disclosed. The devices and systems include a laser probe and a magnetic resonance (MR) safe temperature probe. The MR safe temperature probe includes an optical sensor. A bone anchor fixture separates the laser probe and the MR safe temperature probe to prevent interference in the MR safe temperature probe data. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is used to model a temperature of a pixel of an MR image located adjacent the optical sensor. The modeled pixel temperature and the measured temperature are compared and monitored. Exceeding a threshold difference value causes an intervening action to occur.

A medical device system may include an elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a release wire disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft configured to releasably attach a medical device to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a securement member releasably coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and fixedly attached to a proximal end of the release wire. A proximal portion of the securement member may be configured to translate proximally away from the proximal end of the elongate shaft upon application of a proximally-directed force to the proximal portion of the securement member and radially inward directed force to the distal portion of the securement member while the elongate shaft is maintained in a fixed position.

A trajectory guiding apparatus and one or more methods associated therewith for facilitating precision-guided alignment and implantation of a DBS therapy device in a patient. Orthogonally disposed first and second arcuate racks are independently actuatable by respective pinion drives, wherein the first arcuate rack is coupled to a base support and the second arcuate rack is operative to support a slider assembly arranged to accommodate an instrumentation column (IC) containing the therapy device. The first pinion drive is actuatable to cause a first curvilinear motion of the second arcuate rack including the slider assembly, the first curvilinear motion defined along a first arcuate path on a first perpendicular plane. The second pinion drive is actuatable to cause a second curvilinear motion associated with the slider assembly including the IC, the second curvilinear motion defined along a second arcuate path congruent with the second arcuate rack's curvature and disposed on a second perpendicular plane orthogonal to the first perpendicular plane.

Systems and methods used to ablate tissues using laser energy are disclosed. The systems and methods may be configured to remotely displace a laser fiber to ablate more than one zone of tissue. The systems can include a displacement device comprising a linear displacement member configured to longitudinally displace the laser fiber. The systems can also include a sleeve configured to maintain a cooling catheter in a longitudinal stationary position when the laser fiber is displaced.

The present disclosure relates to cannula systems for delivery of a therapeutic agent to parenchymal tissue of a target subject. In certain embodiments, the cannula system is for delivery of a therapeutic agent to parenchymal tissue in the spine of a target subject. In certain embodiments, the cannula system includes a cannula positioning guide (CPG) useful in the delivery of a therapeutic agent to a localized target tissue of a subject. The guide may be used in a surgical suite or during a surgical procedure.