Devices, Systems, and Methods Using a Steerable Stylet and Flexible Needle

摘要

What is described is a minimally invasive system comprising an elongate instrument and a stylet slidably disposed within the lumen of the elongate instrument. The instrument includes a flexible proximal portion fixedly coupled to a rigid distal portion, and a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end through the flexible proximal portion and the rigid distal portion and defining a longitudinal axis of the instrument. The stylet includes a flexible body fixedly coupled to a steerable portion and a sensor element extending through the flexible body. The stylet is movable within the instrument between a retracted condition in which the steerable portion is retracted within the instrument and an extended configuration in which the steerable portion at least partially extends from the rigid distal portion of the instrument.

主权项

1. A minimally invasive system comprising:
an elongate instrument extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including:
a flexible proximal portion;a rigid distal portion, the flexible proximal portion fixedly coupled to the rigid distal portion; anda lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end through the flexible proximal portion and the rigid distal portion and defining a longitudinal axis of the instrument; and a stylet slidably disposed within the lumen of the elongate instrument, the stylet including a flexible body fixedly coupled to a steerable portion and a sensor element extending through the flexible body, the stylet being movable within the elongate instrument between a retracted condition in which the steerable portion is retracted within the elongate instrument and an extended configuration in which the steerable portion at least partially extends from the rigid distal portion of the elongate instrument.