Abstract: A deposition composition includes a solvent comprising a hydrofluorothioether compound represented by the following general formula (I): Rf—S—Rh where Rf is a fluorinated or perfluorinated group having 2-9 carbon atoms and optionally includes one or more catenated heteroatoms or chlorine atoms, and Rh is a non-fluorinated hydrocarbon group having 1-3 carbon atoms. The deposition composition further includes a coating material that is soluble or dispersible in said solvent.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: This application relates to a client-server architecture that enables user accounts registered with a service to be discoverable to other users of the service. A discovery protocol includes accessing personal information data stored in an address book of a client device, obfuscating the personal information data, transmitting a request to a service to determine if the obfuscated personal information data matches any potential contacts that have registered as discoverable with the service, and comparing information related to the potential contacts with the contacts included in the address book to determine if the contacts in the address book match any of the potential contacts.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for registering a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network. An example method comprises generating a 3D model of a luminal network, identifying a target within the 3D model, determining locations of a plurality of carinas in the luminal network proximate the target, displaying guidance for navigating a location sensor within the luminal network, tracking the location of the location sensor, comparing the tracked locations of the location sensor and the portions of the 3D model representative of open space, displaying guidance for navigating the location sensor a predetermined distance into each lumen originating at the plurality of carinas proximate the target, tracking the location of the location sensor while the location sensor is navigated into each lumen, and updating the registration of the 3D model with the luminal network based on the tracked locations of the location sensor.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.

Abstract: A biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body defining a distal end and a distal biopsy member disposed at the distal end of the elongated flexible body. The biopsy member incorporates a sensor assembly configured to enable detection of a location of the sensor assembly within a patient's airways. The biopsy member has a tissue-receiving portion defining a window and including first and second longitudinally-extending faces disposed on either side of the window. The faces are angled inwardly and towards one another to define an acute interior angle therebetween. Each face defines a sharpened cutting edge. The sharpened cutting edges are disposed on either side of the window. The faces are positioned such that the sharpened cutting edges increasingly approximate one another in the proximal-to-distal direction and culminate at an apex point.

Abstract: A system for performing a surgical procedure includes a bronchoscope, monitoring equipment coupled to the bronchoscope, a tracking system, a positioning assembly, and a biopsy tool. The biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a biopsy member formed on the distal end of the elongated flexible body. The biopsy member includes a tissue-receiving portion defining an opening including sharpened edges. The sharpened edges are disposed on the interior perimeter of the opening and are capable of cutting tissue. A biopsy tool is also provided.

Abstract: A biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body, a sensor assembly, and a screw member. The sensor assembly is disposed within the elongated flexible body towards the distal end thereof. The sensor assembly includes a location sensor(s) configured to enable detection of a location of the sensor assembly. The screw member is coupled to the distal end of elongated flexible body, extends distally from the elongated flexible body, and is positioned distally of the sensor assembly. The screw member defines a helical configuration having a hollow interior and is configured for simultaneous rotation relative to tissue and advancement into tissue to obtain a tissue sample.

Abstract: A system for performing a surgical procedure includes a bronchoscope, monitoring equipment coupled to the bronchoscope, a tracking system, a positioning assembly, and a biopsy tool. The biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a biopsy member formed on the distal end of the elongated flexible body. The biopsy member includes a tissue-receiving portion defining an opening including sharpened edges. The sharpened edges are disposed on the interior perimeter of the opening and are capable of cutting tissue. A biopsy tool is also provided.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The sensor has at least one coil formed on a conductive material. The surface is suitable for receiving the sensor and can be placed in an EM field. The at least one non-conductive material covers the at least one coil of the sensor. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically connected to the at least one coil and connectable to a measurement device, which senses an induced electrical signal based on a magnetic flux change of the EM field. The location of the medical instrument in a coordinate system of the EM filed is identified based on the induced electrical signal in the sensor.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for registering a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network. An example method comprises generating a 3D model of a luminal network, identifying a target within the 3D model, determining locations of a plurality of carinas in the luminal network proximate the target, displaying guidance for navigating a location sensor within the luminal network, tracking the location of the location sensor, comparing the tracked locations of the location sensor and the portions of the 3D model representative of open space, displaying guidance for navigating the location sensor a predetermined distance into each lumen originating at the plurality of carinas proximate the target, tracking the location of the location sensor while the location sensor is navigated into each lumen, and updating the registration of the 3D model with the luminal network based on the tracked locations of the location sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible catheter with a locatable sensor includes simultaneously rotating first and second spools about a common axis, whereby first and second leads of a wire twist together to form a twisted pair of the wire, and rotating a catheter body about a longitudinal axis defined by the catheter body, whereby the twisted pair of the wire wraps about a proximal end portion of the catheter body.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for registering a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network. An example method comprises generating a 3D model of a luminal network, identifying a target within the 3D model, determining locations of a plurality of carinas in the luminal network proximate the target, displaying guidance for navigating a location sensor within the luminal network, tracking the location of the location sensor, comparing the tracked locations of the location sensor and the portions of the 3D model representative of open space, displaying guidance for navigating the location sensor a predetermined distance into each lumen originating at the plurality of carinas proximate the target, tracking the location of the location sensor while the location sensor is navigated into each lumen, and updating the registration of the 3D model with the luminal network based on the tracked locations of the location sensor.

Abstract: A biopsy assembly includes a catheter, a valve, a device having suction and pressure modes, and a loss of suction indicator. The catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to capture a tissue sample, and defines a lumen therebetween. The valve defines a first port coupled to the device and a second port coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. When suction is applied to the first port, a suction path is defined from the distal end of the catheter through the lumen of the catheter and into the second port, such that the tissue sample is suctioned into the catheter. Upon loss of suction at the distal end, the pressure mode is used to define a pressure path from the first port to an open third port, expelling material therefrom. In the pressure mode, suction is maintained at the second port and catheter coupled thereto.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.