A method for placing a set of one or more markers in a luminal network in a patient's body includes using at least one hardware processor for receiving image data of the anatomy of a luminal network of a patient and a location of at least one target in the luminal network anatomy, obtaining a rule set defining one or more rules for placing the set of one or more markers in the luminal network anatomy and with respect to the at least one target, during a survey performed by a user via a navigation module in a portion of the luminal network surrounding the at least one target, acquiring, via the navigation module, sample-locations in the surveyed portion of the luminal network, and identifying a set of one or more marker locations for placing the set of one or more markers from the acquired sample-locations, which complies with the rule set.

A bronchial image generation unit generates a bronchial image and a position information acquisition unit acquires position information of an endoscope in a bronchus. A passage position information acquisition unit acquires passage position information representing a passage position of the endoscope and a passage propriety information acquisition unit acquires passage propriety information representing portions through which the endoscope can be passed and a portion through which the endoscope cannot be passed. A display control unit displays a bronchial image by changing a display state of a portion of the bronchial image through which the endoscope has been passed and a portion of the bronchial image through which the endoscope has not been passed using the passage position information, and changing a display state of portions of the bronchial image through which the endoscope can be passed and cannot be passed using the passage propriety information.

A medical device includes a flexible elongate instrument, an actuator for inserting and retracting the instrument, and a control unit configured to determine at least one of a force being exerted by the actuator or an amount of force applied at a proximal end of the instrument. The control unit is configured to determine a force exerted by the instrument on tissue of a patient based on a shape of the instrument and at least one of the force exerted by the actuator or the force applied at the proximal end. A method of operating a medical device includes: determining a shape of a flexible elongate instrument and at least one of a first force exerted by an actuator or a second force applied to a proximal end; and determining a third force, exerted on tissue, based on the shape and at least one of the first or second forces.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

An attachment system for detachably attaching an additional channel to an endoscope, the attachment system comprising: a sleeve for receiving a distal end of the endoscope and a distal end of the additional channel in use, the sleeve having: a sleeve body defining a sleeve channel, through which the distal end of the endoscope and the distal end of the additional channel will extend in use, and having a first open end and a second open end; a rupture mechanism for rupturing the sleeve body to allow separation of the distal end of the additional channel from the distal end of the endoscope.

A system and method for navigating to a target site in a patient is provided. The system includes an extended working channel and a tool usable with an electromagnetic navigation system. In particular, the extended working channel and the tool contain an electromagnetic sensor configured to provide location information within a patient of the extended working channel and the tool to the electromagnetic navigation system. The distance from the tool and the target site can then be determined and displayed to a clinician on a display device.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for performing treatment along a lumen network, an exemplary method comprising receiving image data of a patient's lungs, mapping one or more luminal networks inside the patient's lungs based on the received image data, identifying a treatment target in the image data, determining a luminal pathway to the treatment target via at least one of the luminal networks, configuring treatment parameters for treatment of the treatment target and at least one of the luminal networks, navigating a tool inside at least one of the luminal networks to the treatment target, treating the treatment target with a primary treatment modality, and treating the luminal pathway of at least one of the luminal networks leading to or from the treatment target with a secondary treatment modality.

An implantable artificial bronchus including a body having a proximal upper opening and a distal lower opening. The distal lower opening being in fluid communication with the proximal upper opening, and the body at least partially tapering along a length toward the distal lower opening. The body having a plurality of side openings configured to allow air to enter into and exit the implantable artificial bronchus through the body. A length of the body is greater than 4 times the size of a largest diameter of the body, and the diameter of the proximal upper opening is larger than a diameter of the distal lower opening.

A needle apparatus having a sheath with a protective hypotube insert and a method of making the needle sheath. An example needle apparatus includes a handle, a needle having a proximal end connected to the handle and a sheath. The sheath is configured to receive of the needle. The sheath includes a proximal end connected to the handle, a distal end, a lumen and the protective insert. The lumen passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the sheath. The protective insert is received within the lumen at the distal end of the sheath when force and/or heat are applied.