System and method for a tissue resection margin measurement device

A method for tracking the location of an anatomical structure, wherein the anatomical structure is deformable, the method comprising:

• providing a system comprising:
• a deployment assembly comprising:
• a scope comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the scope being sized to be disposed in a lumen of the anatomical structure and configured to remain in the lumen of the anatomical structure during deformation of the anatomical structure;
• a needle cannula slidably disposed within the lumen of the scope, the needle cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen extending therebetween;
• an electrical lead assembly comprising:
• a J-bar comprising a J-bar tracker and at least one mount for mounting the J-bar to tissue, wherein the J-bar tracker is configured to provide a signal representative of the position of the J-bar tracker when the J-bar tracker is supplied with electrical power;
• and
• an electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar, the electrical lead being electrically connected to a distal electrical connector formed on the J-bar tracker;
• a pusher slidably disposed in the needle lumen and configured to engage a proximal end of the J-bar, whereby to (i) apply a distally-directed force to the J-bar when the pusher is moved distally, such that the J-bar and/or the electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar is selectively released from the needle cannula, and/or (ii) apply a distally-directed force to the J-bar when the needle cannula is moved proximally relative to the electrical lead assembly, such that by moving the needle cannula proximally while maintaining a distally-directed force against the J-bar using the pusher, the J-bar and/or the electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar is selectively released from the needle cannula;
• and
• a deployment assembly tracker mounted to one of (i) the needle cannula, and (ii) the pusher;
• wherein the deployment assembly tracker is disposed proximate to the J-bar and electrical lead assembly when the J-bar and electrical lead assembly is disposed in the needle lumen, and further wherein the deployment assembly tracker is configured to provide a signal representative of the position of the deployment assembly tracker when the deployment assembly tracker is supplied with electrical power;
• and
• wherein the deployment assembly further comprises an electrical lead for powering the deployment assembly tracker, and further wherein the electrical lead extends proximally from the deployment assembly tracker;
• advancing the scope through an anatomical structure such that the distal end of the scope is disposed within the anatomical structure;
• advancing the needle cannula through the lumen of the scope such that the distal end of the needle cannula pierces the anatomical structure and emerges outside the anatomical structure;
• applying a distally-directed force against the J-bar using the pusher so that the electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar extends through the anatomical structure, and/or applying a distally-directed force against the J-bar using the pusher while moving the needle cannula proximally such that the position of the J-bar is maintained while the needle cannula is withdrawn proximally, whereby to expose the electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar such that the electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar extends through the anatomical structure;
• moving the scope and the needle cannula proximally until the distal end of the needle cannula is disposed at the location within the anatomical structure at which the J-bar tracker is to be mounted, and such that the electrical lead extends between the distal connector on the J-bar tracker and through the anatomical structure to the exterior to the anatomical structure;
• applying a distally-directed force against the J-bar using the pusher and/or moving the needle cannula and scope proximally so as to expose the at least one mount of the J-bar, whereby to permit the at least one mount of the J-bar to engage the surrounding tissue, whereby to anchor the J-bar and J-bar tracker in the anatomy;
• and
• withdrawing the needle cannula and the scope from the anatomy.