Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for tracking, localization or controlling an elongate instrument or other medical instrument in an image or patient.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system comprises a fluoroscopic imager having a full scan range in a surgical coordinate space. The system further comprises one or more processors configured to perform a method. The method includes receiving a first fluoroscopic image data set of a patient anatomy. The first fluoroscopic image data set is obtained from the full scan range of the fluoroscopic imager. The method further includes receiving at least one additional fluoroscopic image data set of the patient anatomy from the fluoroscopic imager operating in a constrained range substantially smaller than the full scan range. The method further includes constructing a first planar tomographic image from the first and at least one additional fluoroscopic image data sets.

Abstract: A system for performing a minimally invasive procedure comprises a flexible catheter with a lumen extending therethrough. The system also comprises an elongate instrument sized for passage through the lumen and an optical coherence tomographic sensor coupled to the elongate instrument. The system also comprises a control system that includes one or more processors. The control system is configured to receive sensor data from the optical coherence tomographic sensor, profile a tissue based on the received sensor data, generate an output signal based on the profiled tissue, and based on receipt of the output signal, determine a distance between the elongate instrument and the profiled tissue.

Abstract: A system comprises a medical instrument, including a sensing tool, and a processing unit configured to apply a segmentation function using a first seed to a three-dimensional image of a patient anatomy to create a model; receive position data from the instrument while navigating the patient anatomy; register a position of the instrument with the model; receive data related to the patient anatomy from the sensing tool; and update the model in response to detecting a difference between the model and the patient anatomy. Updating the model includes reapplying the segmentation function using a second seed corresponding to a passageway of the patient anatomy that is not present within the model. Detecting the difference between the model and the patient anatomy includes analyzing temporal information obtained from shape data generated by the sensing tool while the instrument traverses portions of the patient anatomy not represented by the model.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving, from a fluoroscopic imager, having a first set of parameters, first fluoroscopic image data of a first fiducial marker within a surgical coordinate space. The method comprises receiving a configuration of the first fiducial marker within the surgical coordinate space. The method comprises determining a second set of parameters of the fluoroscopic imager in the surgical coordinate space based on the first fluoroscopic image data and the configuration of the first fiducial marker. In some embodiments, determining the second set of parameters comprises developing a calibrated model of the fiducial marker in the surgical coordinate space from the first fluoroscopic image data and the configuration of the first fiducial marker.

Abstract: A method of deploying an interventional instrument comprises identifying a target structure in an anatomic frame of reference. The method further comprises determining a target region in the anatomic frame of reference with respect to a current position of the interventional instrument and recording a first engagement location of the interventional instrument within the target region.

Abstract: A medical system comprises a robotic manipulator arm and an imaging probe coupled to the robotic manipulator arm such that the imaging probe is movable in connection with the robotic manipulator arm. The system also comprises a control system in communication with the robotic manipulator arm and the imaging probe. The control system performs operations comprising extracting system information. The system information includes kinematic information from a robotic arm of a medical system, setup information, or a combination of the kinematic information and setup information associated with a medical procedure to be performed. The control system also generates, by a control system processor, a first registration between a first set of model points of a model of a patient anatomy of interest and a second set of intra-operatively collected captured points of a portion of the patient anatomy of interest, wherein the registration is based on the extracted system information.

Abstract: An optical force sensor along with an optical processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The optical force sensor includes an optical fiber, a core included in the optical fiber, an instrument including the optical fiber, the instrument having a distal region, and a tubular structure encasing an end of the optical fiber and secured to the first conduit at the distal region of the instrument. When an optical interferometric system is coupled to the optical fiber, it processes reflected light from a portion of the core included within the tubular structure that does not include Bragg gratings to produce a measurement of a force present at the distal region of the instrument.

Abstract: A method of deploying an interventional instrument comprises identifying a target structure within a patient anatomy in an anatomic frame of reference. The method further comprises determining a target region representing a location of the target structure in the the anatomic frame of reference with respect to a current location of the interventional instrument and recording a first engagement location of the interventional instrument within the target. Determining the target region includes determining a probabilistic distribution of the location of the target structure relative to the current location of the interventional instrument and associating each of the plurality of target points with a probability of engaging the target structure.

Abstract: A method comprises tracking a set of optical fiducials positioned on a reference portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes an elongated flexible body with a distal end and a rigid proximal body which includes the reference portion. The method further comprises receiving shape information from a shape sensor extending within the medical instrument between the reference portion and the distal end and determining a pose of a portion of the elongated flexible body with respect to the patient anatomy.

Abstract: An optical force sensor along with an optical processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The optical force sensor includes an optical fiber, a core included in the optical fiber, an instrument including the optical fiber, the instrument having a distal region, and a tubular structure encasing an end of the optical fiber and secured to the first conduit at the distal region of the instrument. When an optical interferometric system is coupled to the optical fiber, it processes reflected light from a portion of the core included within the tubular structure that does not include Bragg gratings to produce a measurement of a force present at the distal region of the instrument.

Abstract: A method comprises, based on a position of a medical instrument within a patient anatomy, determining, by a control system, whether an obstruction is on a surface of a lens of the medical instrument. The method further comprises, based on a determination that the obstruction is on the surface of the lens, instructing, by the control system, a valve control mechanism to open a valve to release a flow of pressurized fluid through a nozzle of the medical instrument and over the surface of the lens. The valve is configured to control provision of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A method includes operating an optical tracking sensor to track configurations of first and second sets of optical fiducials, the first set on a patient and the second set on a reference portion of a medical instrument including an elongated flexible body and a rigid proximal body comprising a reference portion. A teleoperational manipulator is configured to move the rigid proximal body and second set along a fixed linear path. The method includes receiving shape information from a shape sensor and determining, using the second set, a position of a reference point of the shape sensor for a plurality of insertion measurements of a position measuring device. The method also includes determining a pose of a portion of the elongated flexible body with respect to a patient anatomy using the configuration of the first set of optical fiducials, the position of the reference point, and the shape information.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises determining an entry position and entry vector of an entry port in a surgical coordinate space. The entry port provides a passageway for insertion of a first medical instrument into a patient's body. The determination of the entry position and entry vector occurs while the first medical instrument is external to the entry port. The method also comprises positioning the first medical instrument based on the entry position and the entry vector of the entry port and advancing a distal end of the first medical instrument along the entry vector into the entry port.

Abstract: A system comprises a medical instrument including a nozzle and a lens. The system further comprises a valve configured to control provision of a pressurized fluid. The system further comprises a valve control mechanism and a control system. The control system is configured to determine, based on a position of the medical instrument within a patient anatomy, whether an obstruction is on a surface of the lens. The control system is further configured to, based on a determination that the obstruction is on the surface of the lens, instruct the valve control mechanism to open the valve to release a flow of the pressurized fluid through the nozzle and over the surface of the lens.

Abstract: A teleoperative system includes a teleoperational manipulator, a flexible medical instrument, an entry port, a sensor system, and a control system. The flexible medical instrument is coupled to and movable by the teleoperational manipulator. The entry port provides a passageway for insertion of the flexible medical instrument into a patient body. The sensor system includes a first sensor fixedly coupled to the entry port. The control system is configured to use information transmitted by the first sensor to determine a position and orientation of the entry port with respect to the flexible medical instrument.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a collected set of spatial information for a distal portion of an instrument at a plurality of locations within a set of anatomic passageways and receiving a set of position into for a reference portion of the instrument when the distal portion of the instrument is at each of the plurality of locations. The method also comprises determining a reference set of spatial information for the distal portion of the instrument based on the collected set of spatial information and the set of position information for the reference portion of the instrument and registering the reference set of spatial information with a set of anatomical model information.

Abstract: A drape for an input control console of an elongate device may comprise a main drape section configured to fit over the input control console via a main opening at one end of the main drape section. The drape may also comprise a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets may include a pocket opening that is attached to a respective secondary opening in the main drape section. Each of the plurality of pockets may be configured to be anchored, at the pocket opening, to a side surface of a respective raised ring or bezel on the input control console using a respective tightening element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include preparing a robotic medical system for use with a shapeable instrument and controlling advancement of a shapeable medical device within an anatomic path. Also described herein are methods for altering a data model of an anatomical region.