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 medical instrument includes a printed 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 printed 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 medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically connected to the at least one coil and connectable to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled 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 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: 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 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 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: 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 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 medical instrument includes a printed 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 printed 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 medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically connected to the at least one coil and connectable to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled 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: Soft body tissue structure can be remodeled by shortening the distance between first and second portions of that tissue structure. First and second anchor structures are respectively implanted in the first and second portions of the tissue structure. These anchor structures are linked by a linking structure, the length of which between the anchor structures can be shortened to pull the tissue structure portions toward one another. Each of the anchor structures may include two screw structures that are driven into the associated tissue structure portion transverse to the linking structure and with a spacer between the two screws. The entire prosthesis can be implanted percutaneously if desired. An illustrative use of the prosthesis is to shorten the annulus of a patient's mitral valve, with at least a portion of the prosthesis implanted in the patient's coronary sinus.

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 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 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: An implant structure for use in pulling two soft body tissue areas closer together in a patient (e.g., two points along or adjacent to the patient's mitral valve annulus) includes at least two tissue anchor structures that are respectively implantable into the two tissue areas. A tether structure links the two tissue anchors and can be shortened and held in that condition by a cinch structure. Bracing structures are used between the anchors and the tether to help keep the longitudinal axes of the anchors transverse to the tether axis even when the tether is under tension. The tether may be sheathed in a cushioning sleeve to help protect adjacent tissue from erosion by the tether.

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 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 catheter guide assembly includes an extended working channel having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end, the extended working channel having a lumen configured to enable translation of an instrument therethrough. The extended working channel defines a radius formed on the distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the extended working channel is formed of a material having a durometer rating sufficient such that deflection of the distal portion is limited as the instrument is translated therethrough. The catheter guide assembly includes a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the extended working channel and operably coupled to the extended working channel, thereby enabling the extended working channel to advance and rotate.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that can be delivered through a catheter to a remote location in a patient's body. The apparatus may include a first structure that can be positioned in all dimensions in a controlled manner and stabilized in that desired position, a second structure that can then position a lumen axis at a desired angle relative to the first structure, and a third member that can pass through the lumen and approach and engage with force (e.g., penetrate) a desired location on the anatomy without compromising maintaining the desired position. The apparatus effectively separates the forces needed for positioning and the forces needed for tissue engagement (e.g., penetration).

Abstract: A structure that can be used to provide an anchor in or adjacent to a patient's soft body tissue (rather than bone) includes an annular array of flexible members that extend between two axially spaced but aligned tubular members. The space between the tubular members can be selectively changed to affect the amount by which portions of the flexible members between the tubular member project radially outward relative to the tubular members. When the flexible members project radially out, the structure resists axial movement relative to adjacent tissue and therefore acts as an anchor. When the flexible members do not project radially out, they permit axial movement of the structure through adjacent tissue.