Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe. Optionally, data representing a distance between a branch of lumen from fiducial point and angular orientation of the branch is extracted from complete 3D and quantitative image of lumen obtained during a pull-back of probe along the lumen.

The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for anchoring guidewires within body passageways to provide efficient and accurate positioning and/or exchange of medical instruments to a target location. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an anchoring guidewire that includes a self-expanding coil for precise positioning and/or exchange of a biopsy tool within a bronchial passageway.

A system includes one or more processors configured to execute instructions to cause the system to access a plurality of images generated by one or more imaging devices of an endoscope when the endoscope is disposed within anatomy of a patient, for each of the plurality of images, determine a value for each of one or more image reliability metrics, and determine a position of the endoscope within the anatomy of the patient based at least in part on the one or more image reliability metrics of each of the plurality of images.

An instrument positioning mechanism includes a mounting position (125) on a medical device having a channel configured to permit an instrument (104) to pass therethrough. An instrument support (146) is configured to support a length of the instrument. A pivotal connection (150) is configured to rotatably adjust an angle between the support and the mounting position.

Endotracheal intubation support instrument comprises: a main body section having flexibility; a handle section and a blade section extending from both sides of the main body section respectively; and a U-shaped groove running through the main body section from the handle section to the blade section and allowing a flexible tube of a bronchial fiber to come in and out freely. The blade section comprises: a flap for subsuming all or a part of a larynx of a patient; and a lifting body having, on each bank of the U-shape groove, a first protruding portion allowed to contact with a peripheral portion of an epiglottis of the patient and a second protruding portion provided next to a main body section side of the first protruding portion and allowed to contact with a peripheral portion of a glossal root of the patient.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

A medical system comprises a flexible device configured to be positioned at least partially within a patient anatomy. The patient anatomy includes a plurality of anatomical passageways. The medical system further comprises a memory device including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions for performing operations. The operations comprise determining a shape of the flexible device and determining a deformation force for a section of the flexible device. The operations further comprise registering a model of a candidate anatomical passageway of the plurality of anatomical passageways to a model of the flexible device based on the shape of the flexible device and the deformation force for the section of the flexible device. The operations further comprise generating a composite model of the patient anatomy based on the registering.

A system for extending the visual capabilities and working channel of a bronchoscope including a probe having optic and/or tracking capabilities at a distal tip thereof and capable of being advanced through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. The probe also includes a working channel through which various diagnostic and treatment tools may be advanced.

A percutaneously delivered medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and at least one within the proximal handle, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy in at least two imaging modes. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

A system and method for capturing in-vivo images of an endoluminal network and generating a pathway for directing an endoluminal robot to drive a catheter to a desired location.