Abstract: Flexible circuit strips of a catheter balloon may comprise a substrate and a contact electrode disposed on the substrate. A cover may be disposed over a peripheral portion of the contact electrode and an adjacent portion of the substrate The cover is intended to increase robustness of the contact electrode in response to fatigue that might arise from repeated expansion and contraction of the catheter balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector. The end effector includes a first flex circuit assembly, which includes a base member extending distally from the distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The first flex circuit assembly further includes a plurality of obliquely extending members extending obliquely from the base member. The obliquely extending members are configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. The obliquely extending members are configured to fit within an outer sheath in the first configuration. The obliquely extending members are configured to expand outwardly away from the longitudinal axis in the second configuration when exposed distally relative to the distal end of the outer sheath. The first flex circuit assembly further includes a plurality of electrodes positioned on at least some of the obliquely extending members, the electrodes being positioned to contact tissue or blood.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient, and a suction lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The suction lumen is configured to provide suction at the distal end. A navigation sensor is disposed along a portion of the suction lumen and is operable to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a location of the portion within the patient. A coupling feature is disposed at the proximal end and is configured to releasably couple the proximal end with a body.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used with an elongate member that includes an engagement member, a hollow shaft, a compression member, a compression element, and a resilient gripping member. The hollow shaft extends from the engagement member along a longitudinal axis. The compression member is slidably disposed over the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is disposed over the resilient gripping member and supports the compression element. The compression member has a conical inner surface including a detent feature. The conical inner surface is configured to urge the compression element radially inwards as the collar advances from the unlocked position toward the locked position where the detent feature retains the compression element. The compression element deforms the resilient gripping member radially inwards to grip the elongate member and prevents translation of the elongate member. When unlocked, the resilient gripping member moves radially away from the elongate member allowing translation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an occlusion device operable to fit securely in an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The occlusion device is configured to move unitarily with the head when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. The occlusion device is further configured to prevent passage of fluid through the anatomical passageway when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. A position sensor is fixedly integrated into the occlusion device. The position sensor generates signals indicating a position of the occlusion device in three-dimensional space, thereby indicating the position of the head in three-dimensional space. A connector communicatively coupled to the position sensor is operable to receive and transmit the signals generated by the position sensor.

Abstract: A system (11) includes a medical probe (36) for insertion into a cavity of an organ, which includes a position and direction sensor (60) and a camera (45), both operating in a sensor coordinate system (62). The system further includes a processor (44) configured to: receive, from an imaging system (21) operating in an image coordinate system (28), a three-dimensional image of the cavity including open space and tissue; receive, from the medical probe, signals indicating positions and respective directions of the medical probe inside the cavity; receive, from the camera, respective visualized locations inside the cavity; register the image coordinate system with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the image at the visualized locations, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received image that do not correspond to the open space, to update the density values of the identified voxels to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: A set of pre-operative images may be captured of an anatomical structure using an endoscopic camera. Each captured image is associated with a position and orientation of the camera at the moment of capture using image guided surgery (IGS) techniques. This image data and position data may be used to create a navigation map of captured images. During a surgical procedure on the anatomical structure, a real-time endoscopic view may be captured and displayed to a surgeon. The IGS navigation system may determine the position and orientation of the real-time image; and select an appropriate pre-operative image from the navigation map to display to the surgeon in addition to the real-time image.

Abstract: A system (11) includes a medical probe (36) for insertion into a cavity of an organ, which includes a position and direction sensor (60) and a camera (45), both operating in a sensor coordinate system (62). The system further includes a processor (44) configured to: receive, from an imaging system (21) operating in an image coordinate system (28), a three-dimensional image of the cavity including open space and tissue; receive, from the medical probe, signals indicating positions and respective directions of the medical probe inside the cavity; receive, from the camera, respective visualized locations inside the cavity; register the image coordinate system with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the image at the visualized locations, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received image that do not correspond to the open space, to update the density values of the identified voxels to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient, and a suction lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The suction lumen is configured to provide suction at the distal end. A navigation sensor is disposed along a portion of the suction lumen and is operable to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a location of the portion within the patient. A coupling feature is disposed at the proximal end and is configured to releasably couple the proximal end with a body.

Abstract: An ENT surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a flexible substrate, and at least at least one electrically-conductive sensor trace formed on the flexible substrate. The shaft assembly has a distal end sized and configured to fit in an anatomical passageway in an ear, nose, or throat of a patient. The flexible substrate extends along at least a portion of the shaft. The at least one sensor trace includes at least one concentric loop portion, wherein the at least one concentric loop portion defines at least one navigation sensor.

Abstract: An ablation instrument includes a shaft that extends from a grip portion. A curved portion of the shaft is shaped to allow insertion into the head of a patient, and to position an ablation tip that extends from a distal tip of the shaft proximate to an ablation target, such as the posterior nasal nerve. When activated the ablation tip projects radiofrequency energy to ablate nearby tissue. An ablation assistance features of an image guided surgery navigation system is configured to segment and identify ablation targets within a set of pre-operative images. When a position tracked ablation instrument is configured for use, the system begins to monitor the proximity of the ablation tip to the ablation targets. When the tip is within an effective distance of the target for ablation, the system provides an alert and activates the instrument so that RF energy may be projected.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a suction instrument includes a position sensor proximate to a distal tip of a malleable shaft. A sensor wire couples the position sensor to a processor of an image guided surgery system such that signals generated by the position sensor can be interpreted to determine the position of the surgical instrument. The malleable shaft includes a malleable outer shaft and a flexible inner tube. The flexible inner tube includes a primary lumen that can provide suction, fluid, or various deployable surgical tools, and an inner lumen that holds the sensor wire. Protected within the inner lumen, the sensor wire runs the length of the shaft and exits the inner lumen and passes through a slot in the outer shaft to reach the position sensor. A heat shrink cover wraps the distal tip, sealing the components together and providing an opening suitable for suction.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a patient tracker, attached to a subject, having magnetic field sensors and optical landmarks with known spatial relationships to each other. A camera acquires a 3D optical image, in a first frame of reference (FOR), of the subject's face. A magnetic radiator assembly generates magnetic fields at the subject's head, thereby defining a second FOR. A processor: processes field sensor signals to acquire location coordinates of the sensors in the second FOR; segments a tomographic image of the subject, having a third FOR, to identify the subject's face in the third FOR; computes a first transformation between the third and first FORs to map the tomographic face image to the 3D optical image; maps the optical landmarks to the third FOR; maps the respective location coordinates of the sensors to the first FOR; and computes a second transformation between the second FOR and the third FOR.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle, an elongate shaft assembly, an adjustment feature, and a position sensor. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube and an inner shaft. The outer tube is slidably disposed within an elongate body of the handle. The outer tube extends distally from the elongate body to an outer tube distal end. The inner shaft is coaxially disposed within the outer tube and extends distally through the outer tube end to an inner shaft distal tip. The inner shaft is sized and configured to pass through passageways within an ear, nose, or throat of a patient. The adjustment feature is slidably disposed relative to the body of the handle and is configured to translate at least the outer tube relative to the handle. The position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a real-time position of the distal tip of the inner shaft.

Abstract: A dilation instrument includes a body, a dilation catheter, a guide member, and a force sensor. The dilation catheter has an expandable dilator. The guide member extends distally from the body and is configured to guide movement of the expandable dilator. The force sensor is operatively connected to the guide member and is configured to sense a force imparted against the guide member for monitoring engagement with an anatomy of a patient.

Abstract: An endoscopic camera has two or more cameras positioned at a distal end, positioned to provide partially overlapping fields of view. The cameras communicate captured digital images the length of the flexible endoscope, where they may be saved and processed to provide additional imaging features. With partially overlapping images from two or more cameras, image processing can provide panoramic images, super resolution images, and three-dimensional images. One or more of these image modes may also be enhanced to provide a virtualization window that displays a portion of a larger or higher resolution image. The virtualization window displays the selected area of the image, and may be moved or zoomed around the image to provide a virtual endoscope repositioning experience, where the endoscope remains statically positioned but the virtualization window presents a sense of movement and navigation around the surgical area.

Abstract: A method of treating a patulous Eustachian tube includes forming a first pocket in a wall of a nasopharynx region proximate to a pharyngeal ostium, inserting a resiliently biased implant within the first pocket, and allowing the resiliently biased implant to expand within the first pocket to thereby urge the Eustachian tube towards a closed state. The wire implant may include a resilient stent or other resilient wire structure. In some versions, a deployment device having a balloon is used to deploy a malleable implant. This deployment device has a malleable implant disposed around the balloon, which is disposed around a guide catheter. The balloon is inflated and expands the malleable implant. The malleable implant retains the expanded shape and urges the Eustachian tube toward a closed state.