Contact detection tubes, methods and systems for medical procedures

A nested cannula set, comprising:

• a plurality of telescoping tubes configured and dimensioned to reach a target location relative to an anatomical region (50) of a body, wherein a contact detection tube (20′) of the plurality of tube includes
• a tubular wall (21) having an interior surface (23) defining a working channel (24), and
• an electrode (30) integrated in the tubular wall (21),
• wherein the electrode (30) is operable to electrically connect the contact detection tube (20′) to an electrically conductive object (41, 52) within the anatomical region (50) in physical contact with an exterior surface (22) of the tubular wall (21), and
• wherein the electrode (30) is further operable to electrically isolate the working channel (24) from an electrical connection of the contact detection tube (20′) to the electrically conductive object (41, 52).

A contact detection system, comprising:

• a contact detection tube (20′) configured and dimensioned to be navigated within an anatomical region (50) of a body, the contact detection tube (20′) including
• a tubular wall (21) having an interior surface (23) defining a working channel (24), and
• an electrode (30) integrated in the tubular wall (21),
• wherein the electrode (30) is operable to electrically connect the contact detection tube (20′) to an electrically conductive object (41, 52) within the anatomical region (50) in physical contact with an exterior surface (22) of the tubular wall (21), and
• wherein the electrode (30) is further operable to electrically isolate the working channel (24) from an electrical connection of the contact detection tube (20′) to the electrically conductive object (41, 52);
• and
• a contact sensing device (100) in electrical communication with to electrode (30) to sense an electric contact status of the contact detection tube (20′) between a open state and a closed state,
• wherein the open state is representative of a sensing of an open circuit between the contact detection tube (20′) and the electrically conductive object (41, 52);
• and
• wherein the closed state is representative of a sensing of a closed circuit between the contact detection tube (20′) and the electrically conductive object (41, 52).

A nested cannula set, comprising:

• a contact detection tube (20′) including
• a tubular wall (21) having an interior surface (23) defining a working channel (424), and
• at least two or more conductors (431a-431d) patterned on the surface of an insulator (432) integrated in the tubular wall (21),
• wherein the at least two or more conductors (431a-431d) are operable to electrically connect or disconnect the contact detection tube (20′) to or from an electrically conductive object within an anatomical region (50) in physical contact with an exterior surface of the tubular wall (21), and
• wherein the at least two or more conductors (431a-431d) are operable to provide input to a contact sensing device (64) whereby a location of the contact detection tube (20′) is computed or reported.