Abstract: Disclosed herein are a range of stiffening mechanisms or systems that assist or enable holding a pose or shape of a flexible body (1010, 216, 410, 420, 801). These stiffening mechanisms may be part of the steering mechanism (500, 800), may be separately actuated and/or may themselves also enable steering of the flexible elongate device (400).

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate instrument body and an optical fiber sensor is provided. The optical fiber sensor includes an elongate optical fiber that is coupled to the elongate instrument body, wherein a portion of the optical fiber is coupled to the elongate instrument body in a manner to provide slack in the fiber to allow for axial extension of the elongate instrument body relative to the optical fiber.

Abstract: In one example, a method for performing a medical procedure includes receiving a command to initiate tissue sampling with a surgical instillment at a target location, retrieving a predefined dynamic trajectory for tissue sampling from a memory device, and moving the surgical instrument according to the predefined dynamic trajectory to sample tissue at the target location.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy tool and a control system in communication with the biopsy tool. The control system is configured to receive a command to perform a biopsy, retrieve a predefined dynamic trajectory for performing the biopsy from a memory device, and control the biopsy tool to move according to the predefined dynamic trajectory to perform the biopsy. The predefined dynamic trajectory includes a plurality of dynamic control modes. Each of the plurality of dynamic control modes has a different displacement profile. At least one different displacement profile comprises a cyclic displacement profile.

Abstract: A pull wire attachment system for a minimally invasive medical instrument comprises an anchoring element, a steerable tube, and a pull wire assembly. The anchoring element comprises a hollow tube having a first outer diameter. The pull wire assembly comprising a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a securing element coupled to the distal end. A portion of the pull wire is disposed within a groove having an open cross-sectional shape extending along a length of the steerable tube. The securing element includes a second outer diameter sized smaller than the first outer diameter. The securing element is coupled to the anchoring element to prevent proximal translation of the distal end of the pull wire along a longitudinal axis of the medical instrument past the anchoring element. A proximal end of the securing element is disposed distal to a distal end of the steerable tube.

Abstract: A method for mapping an internal structure of a patient with an elongate body is provided. The method includes detecting, at a plurality of instances, contact between a distal portion of an elongate body and an internal structure of the patient; determining a plurality of geometric configurations of the distal portion, the plurality of geometric configurations corresponding to the plurality of instances of contact between the distal portion and the internal structure; determining a plurality of positions of the distal portion, the plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of geometric configurations; and generating a map of the internal structure based on the plurality of positions of the distal portion.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid delivery to a catheter comprises charging a reservoir, of a known size, with a fluid to a volume at an initial fluid pressure and releasing a released fluid volume of the fluid from the reservoir to the catheter. The method also comprises measuring a vented fluid volume and determining a discharged fluid volume through the catheter based on the released fluid volume and the vented fluid volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and/or registering a shape sensing fiber in or to various instruments are described herein. Registration fixtures and registration techniques for matching the coordinate system of a fiber to the coordinate system of an elongate instrument or other device are provided. Various systems and methods for integrating a shape sensing fiber into an elongate instrument or other device are also described herein.

Abstract: An imaging instrument comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a camera disposed at a distal end of the elongate flexible shaft, and a housing coupled to a proximal end of the elongate flexible shaft. The instrument also includes a light emitting diode (LED) within the housing and a heat dissipation system in thermal communication with the LED to transfer heat produced by the LED away from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an instrument including an elongated shaft and a shape sensor including an elongated optical fiber extending within the elongated shaft at a first radial distance from a neutral axis. The apparatus may also comprise a reference sensor disposed within the elongated shaft. The shape sensor may be fixed in a known first position relative to the reference sensor. The apparatus may also comprise a twist resistant feature disposed within the elongated shaft. The twist resistant feature may be coupled to the shape sensor to reduce twisting of the elongated optical fiber relative to the elongated shaft while permitting axial translation of the elongated optical fiber within the elongated shaft. The shape sensor may be coupled to the twist resistant feature at a known second position relative to the reference sensor.

Abstract: Flexible elongate device systems and methods include a flexible elongate device having a flexible body and an axial support structure. The axial support structure includes at least one groove extending along a length of the axial support structure. The flexible elongate device further includes a plurality of control elements for actuating the flexible elongate device. Each of the plurality of control elements extends through one of the at least one groove of the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves spaced circumferentially around the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes lumens that extend through the at least one of the grooves. The control elements are disposed in the lumens. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes a main lumen that extends centrally through the flexible body. The main lumen provides a channel for a medical tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and/or registering a shape sensing fiber in or to various instruments are described herein. Registration fixtures and registration techniques for matching the coordinate system of a fiber to the coordinate system of an elongate instrument or other device are provided. Various systems and methods for integrating a shape sensing fiber into an elongate instrument or other device are also described herein.

Abstract: A medical instrument system comprises an imaging probe including a distal tip terminating at a first distal end of the imaging probe and a lens disposed at the first distal end. The imaging probe including a first sealing feature on an external surface of the imaging probe. The medical instrument also comprises an elongated medical instrument including a distal portion terminating at a second distal end and including a working channel configured to slidably receive the imaging probe. The working channel including a second sealing feature on a surface of the working channel. The first sealing feature and the second sealing feature are shaped and configured to contact one another to prevent the passage of fluid between the first and second sealing features.

Abstract: The following describes various applications and uses for a controllably rigidizable flexible device or sheath. Such rigidizing mechanisms can allow for a transition between a rigid state and a flexible state of a sheath. Rigidization can be applied along an entire length of a flexible sheath or along select portions of the sheath, and the rigidization can be of varying stiffness. Rigidization can be user controlled or automatically controlled using computer processes.

Abstract: A medical instrument system comprises an imaging probe including a distal tip terminating at a first distal end of the imaging probe and a lens disposed at the first distal end. The imaging probe including a first sealing feature on an external surface of the imaging probe. The medical instrument also comprises an elongated medical instrument including a distal portion terminating at a second distal end and including a working channel configured to slidably receive the imaging probe. The working channel including a second sealing feature on a surface of the working channel. The first sealing feature and the second sealing feature are shaped and configured to contact one another to prevent the passage of fluid between the first and second sealing features.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an instrument including an elongated shaft and a shape sensor including an elongated optical fiber extending within the elongated shaft at a first radial distance from a neutral axis. The apparatus may also comprise a reference sensor disposed within the elongated shaft. The shape sensor may be fixed in a known first position relative to the reference sensor. The apparatus may also comprise a twist resistant feature disposed within the elongated shaft. The twist resistant feature may be coupled to the shape sensor to reduce twisting of the elongated optical fiber relative to the elongated shaft while permitting axial translation of the elongated optical fiber within the elongated shaft. The shape sensor may be coupled to the twist resistant feature at a known second position relative to the reference sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument that comprises an elongated, flexible body including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is shaped to define a lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongated, flexible body. The instrument further comprises a plurality of portions extending along a length of the elongated, flexible body. The apparatus further comprises a radiopaque material incorporated into a first portion of the plurality of portions and a second portion of the plurality of portions, wherein the radiopaque material is incorporated into the first portion such that the first portion has a first radiopacity, and the radiopaque material is incorporated into the second portion such that the second portion has a second radiopacity, wherein the first radiopacity is different from the second radiopacity.

Abstract: A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrated real-time visualization while performing a minimally invasive procedure within anatomic passageways include a flexible catheter having one or more first lumens and a first positioning system, an imaging probe having one or more imaging elements, and a sealing device. In some embodiments, the sealing device includes a plurality of second lumens and the flexible catheter and the imaging probe are each optionally deployed through a respective one of the second lumens. In some embodiments, the one or more imaging elements include one or more ultrasound transducers. In some embodiments, the sealing device seals the anatomic passageways at a sealing location using one or more balloons, and the anatomic passageways distal to the sealing location are collapsed. In some embodiments, the first positioning system includes one or more position sensors. In some embodiments, the procedure is performed after the passageways are collapsed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an instrument including an elongated shaft. The apparatus also comprises a first shape sensor including an elongated optical fiber extending within the elongated shaft at a first radial distance from the neutral axis. The apparatus also comprises a twist resistant feature configured to reduce twisting of the elongated optical fiber relative to the elongated shaft while permitting axial translation of the elongated optical fiber within the elongated shaft.