Endoscope Structures And Techniques For Navigating To A Target In Branched Structure
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorPinhas Gilboa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 Once the tip of the catheter is positioned at the target, the guide (32) is withdrawn, leaving the sheath (40) secured in place.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.
Claims10
1-9. (canceled)
A method of guiding a medical tool through a branched structure to a target location, the method comprising:
- (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.
18-20. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.