A surgical system includes a detector, comprising an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical instrument and generate a first signal comprising a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal, generate a modified image of the surgical instrument that includes a control panel. The control panel includes one or more control elements representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument. The processor is further configured to receive an input to the control panel from a user, the input being effective to change one of the operating parameters. The processor is also configured to generate a command signal based on the input to change the one of the operating parameters.

A surgical system includes a detector, comprising an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical instrument and generate a first signal comprising a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal, generate a modified image of the surgical instrument that includes a control panel. The control panel includes one or more control elements representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument. The processor is further configured to receive an input to the control panel from a user, the input being effective to change one of the operating parameters. The processor is also configured to generate a command signal based on the input to change the one of the operating parameters.

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.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

A system and method of providing composite real-time dynamic imagery of a medical procedure site from multiple modalities which continuously and immediately depicts the current state and condition of the medical procedure site synchronously with respect to each modality and without undue latency is disclosed. The composite real-time dynamic imagery may be provided by spatially registering multiple real-time dynamic video streams from the multiple modalities to each other. Spatially registering the multiple real-time dynamic video streams to each other may provide a continuous and immediate depiction of the medical procedure site with an unobstructed and detailed view of a region of interest at the medical procedure site at multiple depths. A user may thereby view a single, accurate, and current composite real-time dynamic imagery of a region of interest at the medical procedure site as the user performs a medical procedure.

A device and method is provided for a suction tool combined with an optical probe. A suction device is provided having a tip with a hollow tubular body, a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the tip and a concentric ring attached to the tip, wherein the ring end has an inner beveled reflective surface opposing the optical fibers. A method is provided for optically measuring tissue in a medical procedure comprising suctioning a tissue using a suction device, sending optical signals along optical fibers through the suction device; directing the signals from the optical fibers onto the tissue using a beveled surface; receiving optical signals from the tissue in optical fibers via the beveled reflective surface; measuring the received optical signals in a spectrometer or detector; and releasing, resecting or ablating the tissue through the suction device.

A surgical visualization system comprises: (a) an endoscope comprising: (i) a shaft comprising a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to be inserted into a cavity of a patient, (ii) a camera positioned at the distal end of the shaft for visualizing a first structure below a tissue surface within the cavity when the distal end is inserted into the cavity, wherein the camera defines a line of sight, wherein the camera is configured to be swept over the first structure; and (b) a processor in operative communication with the camera of the endoscope, wherein the processor is configured to: (i) monitor at least one sweep parameter when the camera is swept over the first structure, and (ii) estimate a depth of the first structure below the tissue surface based on the monitored at least one sweep parameter.

A surgical visualization system comprises: (a) an endoscope comprising: (i) a shaft comprising a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to be inserted into a cavity of a patient, (ii) a camera positioned at the distal end of the shaft for visualizing a first structure below a tissue surface within the cavity when the distal end is inserted into the cavity, wherein the camera defines a line of sight, wherein the camera is configured to be swept over the first structure; and (b) a processor in operative communication with the camera of the endoscope, wherein the processor is configured to: (i) monitor at least one sweep parameter when the camera is swept over the first structure, and (ii) estimate a depth of the first structure below the tissue surface based on the monitored at least one sweep parameter.

Medical software tools platform utilizes a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist those in the operating room, such as a surgeon or surgical team, with a surgery. For various embodiments, the medical software tools platform and its associated medical software tools are presented on a surgical display (e.g., being utilized in an operating room) over an image stream provided by a surgical camera (e.g., in use in the operating room or with other endoscopic procedures). Various medical software tools can provide features and functions that can facilitate integration of equipment in an operating room or add medical context awareness to anatomic structures presented in the image stream from the surgical camera and provide archived information pertaining to the same.