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: 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 surgical instrument and related method includes an instrument body, a guide shaft distally projecting from the instrument body, and a first surgical tool. The guide shaft has a guide sidewall, a guide lumen, and a clearance opening radially extending through the guide sidewall in communication with the guide lumen. The first surgical tool has an elongate body and a distal head configured to deflect relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. The distal head in the first position is positioned within the guide lumen along the central axis. The distal head in the second position is deflected from the central axis and extends at least partially through the clearance opening thereby vacating at least a portion of the guide lumen for introducing a second surgical tool through the guide lumen.

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: A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument including a first tube, and a second tube. The first tube extends from a proximal first end portion to a distal first end portion. The second tube extends from a proximal second end portion to a distal second end portion. The second tube is positioned coaxially within the first tube with the distal second end portion positioned adjacent to the distal first end portion. The second tube defines a lumen. The sensor is secured proximal to the distal second end portion of the second tube. A die is engaged against a distal first end portion of the first tube while first tube rotates about its own longitudinal axis; and the die is simultaneously moved relative to the distal first end portion of the first tube along a predetermined path to form a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.

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: 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 endoscope assembly includes a shaft assembly, an endoscopic camera assembly, and an anatomy elevation assembly. The shaft assembly includes a flexible outer shaft defining a lumen, a first electrical communication line, and a first fluid communication line. The endoscopic camera assembly is in communication with the first electrical communication line. The anatomy elevation assembly includes an inflatable member coupled to the flexible outer shaft. The inflatable member includes an interior surface. The first fluid communication line is in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The inflatable member is configured to transition between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The interior surface is configured to define a viewing path distal to the endoscopic camera assembly while the inflatable member is in the inflated configuration.

Abstract: A system to dilate a stenotic region of an airway of a patient includes a stylet and a dilation catheter. The dilation catheter includes a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon. The catheter shaft defines a shaft lumen and is configured to receive at least a portion of the stylet. The shaft lumen is axially aligned with a first longitudinal axis. The inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen. The inflatable balloon is configured to transition between non-expanded and expanded configurations using the inflation lumen. The inflatable balloon has an outer perimeter configured to contact the stenotic region of the airway when in the expanded configuration. The inflatable balloon includes a pass-through lumen that is axially aligned with a second longitudinal axis that is laterally offset a distance from the first longitudinal axis. The pass-through lumen is disposed completely within the outer perimeter of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medical instrument, a sensor assembly, and a pair of wires. The sensor assembly is positioned at the distal end of the medical instrument. The sensor assembly includes a first coil member oriented along a first longitudinal axis and a second coil member oriented along a second longitudinal axis. The first and second coil members are coupled with each other in series. The first and second longitudinal axes are offset from each other. The first and second coil members are configured to generate electrical signals indicative of a position and orientation of the distal end of the medical instrument within a patient. First and second wires of the pair of wires are operable to communicate signals from the sensor assembly to a navigation system.

Abstract: A physician preparing to perform a surgical procedure may view pre-operative images of a procedure area of a patient and use a stylus or other interface to draw boundaries between or around areas shown in the images that should be treated with extreme caution during the procedure. These boundaries may be provided by an image guided surgery navigation system and used to provide warnings (e.g., audible or visual alerts having characteristics associated with the proximity to the bounded area) and control operations of a medical instrument (e.g., reducing a cutting speed or disabling the medical instrument entirely) during the procedure in order to reduce risks associated with using the medical instrument in or around the bounded areas. Other safety features that may be defined or pre-configured based on the procedure include reacting to movement patterns (e.g., high linear speed) and location patterns (e.g., steady advancement towards an unsafe area).

Abstract: An apparatus includes an endoscope, a navigation sensor, and an interface feature. The endoscope includes a body, a shaft extending distally from the body, and a window located at a distal portion of the shaft. The navigation sensor is position at the distal portion of the shaft. The interface feature can couple the navigation sensor with an image guidance system. The navigation sensor can cooperate with the image guidance system to provide feedback indicating a position of the navigation sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a first dilation catheter into a first nostril of a patient. A first dilator of the first dilation catheter is positioned between the nasal septum of the patient and the turbinate of the patient. The first dilator is expanded, thereby remodeling one or more of the nasal septum, the turbinate, or mucosal tissue of the patient. The first dilation catheter is removed from the nostril of the patient. A second dilation catheter may be inserted into a second nostril of the patient. A dilator of the second dilation catheter may provide an opposing force on the nasal septum to prevent over-medialization of the nasal septum.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting a first tissue and detecting a second tissue includes a shaft, a cutting member, and a tissue monitor system. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a shaft lumen and a shaft opening. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen and configured to cyclically move from a first position to a second position relative to the shaft. The cutting member is further configured to cut a tissue portion of the first tissue for removal therefrom. The tissue monitor system is associated with at least one of the shaft or the cutting member configured to detect the second tissue distinct from the first tissue for selectively cutting and removing the first tissue relative to the second tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a sensor. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly. A portion of the end effector is offset from the longitudinal axis. The sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field. The signal is configured to indicate a position of the end effector within three-dimensional space. The sensor is coaxially positioned about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindraceous sleeve body, a navigation sensor, and an interface feature. The cylindraceous sleeve body includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. The lumen is sized and configured to receive a shaft of a medical instrument. The navigation sensor is positioned at the open distal end of the cylindraceous sleeve body. The interface feature is configured to couple the navigation sensor with an image guidance system. The navigation sensor is configured to cooperate with an image guidance system to provide feedback indicating a position of the navigation sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body and a sensor. The elongate body has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is sized and configured to fit through a naturally occurring orifice of a human body. The sensor is positioned at the distal end of the elongate body. The sensor includes an electrically conductive coil. The coil extends along a longitudinal axis. The coil has a distal terminal winding and a proximal terminal winding. The distal terminal winding extends along a plane that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis. The proximal terminal winding extends along a plane that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula, a suction port, and a guidewire channel. The cannula includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen. The suction port is configured to communicate suction to the distal end of the cannula via the first lumen. The guidewire channel includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a second lumen extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. The guidewire channel is securely attached to the cannula such that the second lumen is laterally offset from the first lumen. The guidewire channel is configured to slidably receive a guidewire within the second lumen. The guidewire channel is formed of an elastic material such that the guidewire channel is configured to resiliently expand the second lumen outwardly to an expanded state in response to slidably receiving a guidewire therein.