An apparatus for microdisruption of cataracts in lens tissue by impulsive heat deposition comprising: a source of pulsed laser radiation, a user input device, a control circuit, and an optical waveguide configured to transmit the pulsed laser radiation. The light intensity which exits the optical waveguide has a wavelength selected to match an absorption peak of at least one component of the lens tissue, a pulse duration time shorter than a time required for thermal diffusion out of the laser irradiation volume and shorter than a time required for a thermally driven expansion of the laser irradiated volume, and a pulse energy resulting in a peak intensity of each laser pulse below a threshold for ionization-driven ablation to occur.

Markers, microwave probes, and related systems and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The marker includes an energy converter e.g., one or more photodiodes, for transforming energy pulses striking the marker into electrical energy, a switch, e.g., FET, coupled to the photodiodes such that light from a probe cause the switch to open and close. A pair of antenna wires are coupled to the switch to provide an antenna, the switch configured to open and close when light strikes the photodiodes to modulate signals from the probe reflected by the antenna back to the probe to identify the location of the marker. The marker also includes an electro static discharge (ESD) protection device coupled to the switch to provide protection against an electrostatic discharge event.

A tracing device is used for indicating the spatial position of a mechanical arm of a surgical robot. The tracing device includes: a base having two opposite ends and an outer circumferential surface located therebetween, one end is connected to an operation end of the mechanical arm, and a surgical instrument is installed at the other end; and a positioning assembly connected to the base and used for indicating the spatial position of the base. A positioning assembly includes at least three tracing elements arranged on the outer circumferential surface in a non-collinear manner. A plurality of positioning assemblies are distributed in a circumferential direction of the base; and a normal angle between any two of the tracing elements of each positioning assembly is smaller than or equal to 20.

A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element.

A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element.

A thermal tag for activity monitoring. The thermal tag includes a base layer having a plurality of metal lines to provide a conductive path, and a pattern layer having one or more infrared emitting features positioned over portions of the conductive path, wherein at least one infrared emitting feature couples to the conductive path to emit a predetermined infrared pattern in accordance with nearby activity.

Markers and related systems and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The marker includes one or more photosensitive diodes for transforming light pulses striking the marker into electrical energy, one or more antennas, and a switch coupled to the photodiodes and antennas such that the light pulses cause the switch to open and close and modulate radar signals reflected by the marker back to a source of the signals. The antenna(s) may include one or more wire elements extending from a housing, one or more antenna elements printed on a substrate, or one or more chip antennas. Optionally, the marker may include a processor coupled to the photodiodes for identifying signals in the light pulses or one or more coatings or filters to allow selective activation of the marker.

A method of rendering medical image data includes: obtaining an image, having a plurality of voxels, of a volume of patient tissue having a plurality of tissue types; for each of the plurality of voxels: determining a first type indicator value indicating a likelihood that the voxel depicts a first one of the tissue types; storing the first type indicator value in association with the voxel; setting a first type indicator threshold for the first tissue type; rendering the image on a display and applying a first visual filter to a first subset of the voxels having type indicator values that satisfy the first type indicator threshold; and updating the rendering, responsive to receiving input data specifying a modified first type indicator threshold, to apply the first visual filter to an updated first subset of the voxels having first type indicator values that satisfy the modified first type indicator threshold.

Methods and devices are disclosed for intra-operative viewing of pre- and intra-operative 3D patient images.

Coupling devices and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for coupling a surgical instrument to a navigation array or other component. The coupling device can reduce or eliminate movement between the instrument and the navigation array, improving navigation precision. The coupling device can be quick and easy to use, reducing or eliminating the need for extra steps or additional tools to attach or detach the instrument from the coupling device. In some embodiments, the single step of inserting an instrument into the coupling device can automatically lock the instrument within the coupling device in a toggle-free manner. The coupling device can include features for consistently attaching instruments thereto at a known or predetermined location and/or orientation.