Abstract: Flexible, longitudinally extended sensors comprising variably inductive sensing material. Sensors connect to an external processing unit using as few as 2 connections. In operation, sensors measure inductance along their longitudinal extent (curve). Spectral de-multiplexing allows electrical property differences along sensors to be resolved. This enables shape tracking of the flexible sensor. The sensor principles are suitable for the production of ultra-small diameter probes (for example, smaller than 0.5 mm) of arbitrary length (for example, 30 cm long). There are potential advantages for cost efficiency and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-steering endoluminal system comprising an endoluminal device comprising a steerable elongated body and a computer memory storage medium, comprising one or more modules: a Navigational module comprising instructions for generating navigational actions to be performed by said steerable elongated body of said endoluminal device to reach a desired location as selected in a digital endoluminal map; a Deformation module comprising instructions for assessing potential deformations to one or more lumens caused by said navigational actions performed; a Stress module comprising instructions for assessing potential stress levels on said lumens caused by said navigational actions; and a High-level module comprising instructions to receive information from one or more of said Navigational module, Deformation module and Stress module and generate instructions to actuate, and optionally also actuate, said steerable elongated body of said endoluminal device accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating identification and marking of a target in a displayed Fluoroscopic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction (F3DR) of a body region of a patient. The system includes a display and a storage device storing instructions for receiving an initial selection of the target in the F3DR, fining the F3DR based on the initial selection of the target, displaying the fined F3DR on the display, and receiving a final selection of the target in the fined F3DR via a user selection. The system further includes at least one hardware processor configured to execute said instructions. The method and instructions may also include receiving a selection of a medical device in two two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, where the medical device is located in an area of the target, and initially fining the F3DR based on the selection of the medical device.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a target includes an extended working channel having a lumen for receiving a tool, a computing device including a memory and at least one processor, and a display device. A plurality of images and a program are stored in the memory. The program, when executed by the at least one processor, presents a user interface. The user interface includes at least one image of the plurality of images depicting the target and a progression of the extended working channel through the airway. The user interface also includes a probability treatment zone defining a probability distribution of a trajectory of the tool once deployed beyond an opening of the extended working channel.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a catheter to a target is disclosed. The system includes a probe and a workstation. The probe is configured to be navigated through a patient's airways and includes a location sensor. The workstation is in operative communication with the probe. The workstation includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory stores a navigation plan and a program that, when executed by the processor, is configured to generate a 3D rendering of the patient's airways, generate a view using the 3D rendering, and display the view featuring at least a portion of the navigation plan. Generating the view includes executing a first transfer function for a first range from a distal tip of the location sensor and executing a second transfer function for a second range from the distal tip of the location sensor.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus for displaying medical images of a lung on a screen includes a network interface receiving positional information of a navigation instrument from a position sensor of the navigation instrument, a video stream from an optical sensor of the navigation instrument, and medical images from an imaging device, a memory storing a plurality of medical images and instructions, a processor executing the instructions, and a display dynamically displaying images on the screen. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the medical image display apparatus to determine whether status information indicates a pathway reviewing mode, a target management mode, or a navigation mode. The instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the display to dynamically select and update images, which are displayed on the screen, among the plurality of medical images based on the positional information of the navigation instrument and status information.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a catheter to a target is disclosed. The system includes a probe and a workstation. The probe is configured to be navigated through a patient's airways and includes a location sensor. The workstation is in operative communication with the probe. The workstation includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory stores a navigation plan and a program that, when executed by the processor, is configured to generate a 3D rendering of the patient's airways, generate a view using the 3D rendering, and display the view featuring at least a portion of the navigation plan. Generating the view includes executing a first transfer function for a first range from a distal tip of the location sensor and executing a second transfer function for a second range from the distal tip of the location sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a three-dimensional (3D) view for displaying a 3D rendering of the patient's airways and a corresponding navigation plan, a local view for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus for displaying medical images of a lung on a screen includes a network interface receiving positional information of a navigation instrument from a position sensor of the navigation instrument, a video stream from an optical sensor of the navigation instrument, and medical images from an imaging device, a memory storing a plurality of medical images and instructions, a processor executing the instructions, and a display dynamically displaying images on the screen. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the medical image display apparatus to determine whether status information indicates a pathway reviewing mode, a target management mode, or a navigation mode. The instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the display to dynamically select and update images, which are displayed on the screen, among the plurality of medical images based on the positional information of the navigation instrument and status information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope and including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope, the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a central navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the bronchoscope through central airways of the patient's bronchial tree toward the target, a peripheral navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: A method for placing a set of one or more markers in a luminal network in a patient's body includes using at least one hardware processor for receiving image data of the anatomy of a luminal network of a patient and a location of at least one target in the luminal network anatomy, obtaining a rule set defining one or more rules for placing the set of one or more markers in the luminal network anatomy and with respect to the at least one target, during a survey performed by a user via a navigation module in a portion of the luminal network surrounding the at least one target, acquiring, via the navigation module, sample-locations in the surveyed portion of the luminal network, and identifying a set of one or more marker locations for placing the set of one or more markers from the acquired sample-locations, which complies with the rule set.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating identification and marking of a target in a displayed Fluoroscopic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction (F3DR) of a body region of a patient. The system includes a display and a storage device storing instructions for receiving an initial selection of the target in the F3DR, fining the F3DR based on the initial selection of the target, displaying the fined F3DR on the display, and receiving a final selection of the target in the fined F3DR via a user selection. The system further includes at least one hardware processor configured to execute said instructions. The method and instructions may also include receiving a selection of a medical device in two two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, where the medical device is located in an area of the target, and initially fining the F3DR based on the selection of the medical device.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a catheter to a target is disclosed. The system includes a probe and a workstation. The probe is configured to be navigated through a patient’s airways and includes a location sensor. The workstation is in operative communication with the probe. The workstation includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory stores a navigation plan and a program that, when executed by the processor, is configured to generate a 3D rendering of the patient’s airways, generate a view using the 3D rendering, and display the view featuring at least a portion of the navigation plan. Generating the view includes executing a first transfer function for a first range from a distal tip of the location sensor and executing a second transfer function for a second range from the distal tip of the location sensor.

Abstract: A method of registering a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network with real-time feedback is disclosed, including generating the 3D model of the luminal network based on images of the luminal network, generating an electromagnetic field about the luminal network, inserting a location sensor into the electromagnetic field, tracking the location of the sensor within the luminal network, comparing the tracked locations of the sensor with sensors located outside of the luminal network and the portions of the 3D model representative of open space, and presenting on a user interface an indication of which portions of the luminal network have been sufficiently traversed by the sensor to register that portion of the luminal network to the 3D model.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a three-dimensional (3D) view for displaying a 3D rendering of the patient's airways and a corresponding navigation plan, a local view for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope and including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope, the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a central navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the bronchoscope through central airways of the patient's bronchial tree toward the target, a peripheral navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating identification and marking of a target in a displayed Fluoroscopic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction (F3DR) of a body region of a patient. The system includes a display and a storage device storing instructions for receiving an initial selection of the target in the F3DR, fining the F3DR based on the initial selection of the target, displaying the fined F3DR on the display, and receiving a final selection of the target in the fined F3DR via a user selection. The system further includes at least one hardware processor configured to execute said instructions. The method and instructions may also include receiving a selection of a medical device in two two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, where the medical device is located in an area of the target, and initially fining the F3DR based on the selection of the medical device.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating to a target using fluoroscopic-based three dimensional volumetric data generated from two dimensional fluoroscopic images, including a catheter guide assembly including a sensor, an electromagnetic field generator, a fluoroscopic imaging device to acquire a fluoroscopic video of a target area about a plurality of angles relative to the target area, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to receive previously acquired CT data, determine the location of the sensor based on the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator, generate a three dimensional rendering of the target area based on the acquired fluoroscopic video, receive a selection of the catheter guide assembly in the generated three dimensional rendering, and register the generated three dimensional rendering of the target area with the previously acquired CT data to correct the position of the catheter guide assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a three-dimensional (3D) view for displaying a 3D rendering of the patient's airways and a corresponding navigation plan, a local view for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a target includes an extended working channel having a lumen for receiving a tool, a computing device including a memory and at least one processor, and a display device. A plurality of images and a program are stored in the memory. The program, when executed by the at least one processor, presents a user interface. The user interface includes at least one image of the plurality of images depicting the target and a progression of the extended working channel through the airway. The user interface also includes a probability treatment zone defining a probability distribution of a trajectory of the tool once deployed beyond an opening of the extended working channel.