Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A lung tumor ablation planning system includes a processor operable to compute a target ablation zone and a set of optimum ablation parameters to create the target lesion with the ablation catheter. A predictive algorithm is employed to model the ablation zone based on training data. Various ablation plans are displayed to the physician corresponding to various metrics including without limitation maximizing tumor ablation coverage, shortest travel, obstacle avoidance, and shortest ablation time. Related methods are described.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel method and system for segmentation of the spine using 3D volumetric data. In embodiments, a method includes an extracting step, localization step, and segmentation step. The extracting step comprises detecting the spine centerline and the spine canal centerline. The localization step comprises localizing the vertebra and intervertebral disc centers. Background and foreground constraints are created for each vertebra digit. Segmentation is performed for each vertebra digit and based on the hard constraints.

Abstract: A lung denervation method comprises advancing a catheter along the airway; deploying an open loop in contact with the epithelium; simultaneously delivering radio frequency energy from a plurality of discrete spaced-apart locations along the loop to target regions according to a set of ablation parameters sufficient to heat and interrupt nerve functionality; and forming a liquid film between the loop and the epithelium for minimizing collateral damage. The method serves to destroy motor axons of the peripheral bronchial nerve, blocks parasympathetic transmission in the pulmonary and reduces acetylcholine release, reducing airway smooth muscle tension and mucus production. Related systems are described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering substances to lung tissue through an extra-anatomic passage created in an airway.

Abstract: A lung tumor ablation method includes deploying a plurality of sensors in the tumor margin and monitoring ablation progress based on information from the sensors. An ablation electrode is inserted into a central region of the tumor and the site is irrigated. Power and irrigation flowrate are controlled to optimize ablation based on information from the sensors. Related apparatus and systems are described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering substances to lung tissue through an extra-anatomic passage created in an airway.

Abstract: A lung tumor ablation planning system includes a processor operable to compute a target ablation zone and a set of optimum ablation parameters to create the target lesion with the ablation catheter. A predictive algorithm is employed to model the ablation zone based on training data. Various ablation plans are displayed to the physician corresponding to various metrics including without limitation maximizing tumor ablation coverage, shortest travel, obstacle avoidance, and shortest ablation time. Related methods are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a physician in a medical intervention comprises performing a 2D-3D deformable registration, and more particularly, performing a 2D-3D registration based on multiple live 2D fluoroscopic views, and implemented on a multi-core processing framework such as a Graphics Processing Unit.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel method and system for segmentation of the spine using 3D volumetric data. In embodiments, a method includes an extracting step, localization step, and segmentation step. The extracting step comprises detecting the spine centerline and the spine canal centerline. The localization step comprises localizing the vertebra and intervertebral disc centers. Background and foreground constraints are created for each vertebra digit. Segmentation is performed for each vertebra digit and based on the hard constraints.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described herein that allow for improved sampling of tissue from remote sites in the body. A tissue sampling device comprises a handle allowing single hand operation. In one variation the tissue sampling device includes a blood vessel scanning means and tissue coring means to excise a histology sample from a target site free of blood vessels. The sampling device also includes an adjustable stop to control the depth of needle penetration. The sampling device may be used through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

Abstract: Methods and devices for diagnosing, monitoring, and/or treating tissue through an opening or port through an airway wall are provided herein.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering substances to lung tissue through an extra-anatomic passage created in an airway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a physician in a medical intervention comprises performing a 2D-3D deformable registration, and more particularly, performing a 2D-3D registration based on multiple live 2D fluoroscopic views, and implemented on a multi-core processing framework such as a Graphics Processing Unit.

Abstract: Methods and devices for diagnosing, monitoring, and/or treating tissue through an opening or port through an airway wall are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a physician in a medical intervention comprises performing a 2D-3D deformable registration, and more particularly, performing a 2D-3D registration based on multiple live 2D fluoroscopic views, and implemented on a multi-core processing framework such as a Graphics Processing Unit.