Endoscope structures and techniques for navigating to a target in branched structure
First Claim
1. A method of guiding a medical tool through a branched structure to a target location, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting a locatable guide surrounded by a sheath through a working channel of a bronchoscope;
(b) navigating the locatable guide and the sheath to a target location, the locatable guide selectively locked relative to the sheath by a locking mechanism;
(c) locking the sheath relative to the target location;
(d) unlocking the locatable guide relative to the sheath;
(e) removing the locatable guide from the sheath, leaving an open lumen through the sheath; and
(f) inserting a tool through the lumen to the target location.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods employing a small gauge steerable catheter (30) including a locatable guide (32) with a sheath (40), particularly as an enhancement to a bronchoscope (14). A typical procedure is as follows. The location of a target in a reference coordinate system is detected or imported. The catheter (30) is navigated to the target which tracking the distal tip (34) of the guide (32) in the reference coordinate system. Insertion of the catheter is typically via a working channel of a convention bronchoscope. Once the tip of the catheter is positioned at the target, the guide (32) is withdrawn, leaving the sheath (40) secured in place. The sheath (40) is then used as a guide channel to direct a medical tool to target.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of guiding a medical tool through a branched structure to a target location, the method comprising:
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(a) inserting a locatable guide surrounded by a sheath through a working channel of a bronchoscope; (b) navigating the locatable guide and the sheath to a target location, the locatable guide selectively locked relative to the sheath by a locking mechanism; (c) locking the sheath relative to the target location; (d) unlocking the locatable guide relative to the sheath; (e) removing the locatable guide from the sheath, leaving an open lumen through the sheath; and (f) inserting a tool through the lumen to the target location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of guiding a medical tool through a branched structure to a target location, the method comprising:
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(a) navigating to a target location a locatable guide surrounded by, and temporarily fixed relative to, a sheath; (b) fixing the sheath relative to the target location; (c) removing the locatable guide from the sheath, thereby leaving an open lumen; (d) inserting a tool through the lumen to the target location, wherein inserting the tool through the lumen to the target comprises; (a) inserting the tool into a calibration tube, the calibration tube having a length corresponding to a length of the lumen; and (b) marking an extent of insertion on the tool.
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Specification