A computer implemented method for assessing an arterio-venous malformation (AVM) may include, for example, receiving a patient-specific model of a portion of an anatomy of a patient; using a computer processor to analyze the patient-specific model for identifying one or more blood vessels associated with the AVM, in the patient-specific model; and estimating a risk of an undesirable outcome caused by the AVM, by performing computer simulations of blood flow through the one or more blood vessels associated with the AVM in the patient-specific model.

The invention relates to a system (1) for stimulating renal nerves of a renal artery of a subject (3). The system comprises a stimulation device (12, 17, 28) for stimulating the renal nerves, a measuring unit (20) for measuring the blood pressure and/or the heart rate of the subject at at least two times, wherein at least one of these times is during or after the stimulation of the renal nerves, and a subject suitability determination unit (14) for determining whether the subject is suitable for a renal sympathetic denervation procedure based on the measured blood pressure and/or the measured heart rate. The invention allows therefore for a preselection of subjects which are suitable for a renal sympathetic denervation procedure.

A medical instrument includes a first device (108) including shape-sensed flexible instrument, a second device (102) disposed over the first device and a third device (109) disposed over the first device and a portion of the second device. The second and third devices include a geometric relationship such that a position of the second device and the third device is determined from shape sensing information of the first device and the geometric relationship.

Systems and methods are provided for performing intraoperative fusion of two or more volumetric image datasets via surface-based image registration. The volumetric image datasets are separately registered with intraoperatively acquired surface data, thereby fusing the two volumetric image datasets into a common frame of reference while avoiding the need for complex and time-consuming preoperative volumetric-to-volumetric image registration and fusion. The resulting fused image data may be processed to generate one or more images for use during surgical navigation.

A sensing device for sensing one or more tissue properties includes an adapter assembly, an actuation assembly, a shuttle, and a piston assembly. The adapter assembly is configured to couple to surgical handheld devices. The actuation assembly extends distally from the adapter assembly and is configured to operably couple to and be engaged by handheld devices coupled thereto. The actuation assembly includes a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft. The shuttle has a clamp and a shuttle sensor, and is coupled to the first drive shaft via a coupling. The shuttle sensor is disposed on the clamp. The piston assembly is coupled to the second drive shaft and configured to compress target tissue between the piston assembly and the clamp of the shuttle.

Disclosed cannula systems can detect the tissue type within which the cannula tip is located in real time using electrodes adjacent the cannula tip. The sensing cannula system can differentiate when the cannula tip is in adipose tissue or muscle based on electrical impedance. The system can be used in fat grafting and liposuction procedures, for example. An operator can detect if the cannula tip enters muscle by watching for an indicator light or audible alarm that is automatically activated by the device based on a change in sensed impedance. The device may also stop the flow of fat through a pump halting injection into the sub-muscular space.

Peptides that home, target, migrate to, are directed to, are retained by, or accumulate in and/or bind to the cartilage or kidney of a subject are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses for peptides or peptide-active agent complexes comprising such peptides are also disclosed. Such compositions can be formulated for targeted delivery of an active agent to a target region, tissue, structure or cell in the cartilage. Targeted compositions of the disclosure can deliver peptide or peptide-active agent complexes to target regions, tissues, structures, or cells targeted by the peptide.

A needle electrode fixation device is configured to secure a transdermal needle electrode to a patient. The device includes a base having a body that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are rotatable relative to each other. The first portion defines a channel configured to fit a portion of the transdermal needle electrode. The second portion defines a recess configured to fit a tip of the needle electrode. The device further includes an adhesive layer configured to affix the base to the patient.

A method, including receiving a bipolar signal from a pair of electrodes in proximity to a myocardium of a human subject, and receiving a unipolar signal from a selected one of the pair of electrodes. The method further includes delineating a window of interest (WOI) for the unipolar and bipolar signals, within the WOI computing local unipolar minimum derivatives of the unipolar signal, and times of occurrence of the local unipolar minimum derivatives, and within the WOI computing bipolar derivatives of the bipolar signal at the times of occurrence. The method also includes evaluating ratios of the bipolar derivatives to the local unipolar minimum derivatives, and when the ratios are greater than a preset threshold ratio value, assigning the times of occurrence as times of activation of the myocardium, counting a number of the times of activation; and classifying the unipolar signal according to the number.

A system for treating dysfunctional SI joints that includes a multi-function bone structure prosthesis adapted to be delivered to and inserted into a dysfunctional SI joint via a posterior approach, the multi-function bone structure prosthesis, when disposed in a dysfunctional SI joint, being adapted to (i) stabilize the dysfunctional SI joint, (ii) induce proliferation, and/or growth and/or remodeling and/or regeneration of osseous tissue and, thereby, healing and arthrodesis of the dysfunctional SI joint, (iii) attenuate pain associated with the dysfunctional SI joint via neurostimulation, and (iv) monitor physiological and/or biomechanical parameters associated with the dysfunctional SI joint via one or more sensor systems.