System and method for a tissue resection margin measurement device
Inventors
Bueno, Raphael • Jagadeesan, Jayender • Lucas, Alan D. • Roth, Larry • Robinson, Tim
Assignees
The Brigham and Women's Hospital Inc • NAVIGATION SCIENCES Inc
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12514497-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for tracking the location of an anatomical structure, the system comprising: a J-bar and electrical lead assembly comprising: a J-bar comprising a tracker, a distal electrical connector formed on the tracker, and at least one mount for mounting the tracker to tissue, wherein the tracker is configured to provide a signal representative of the position of the tracker when the tracker is supplied with electrical power; an expandable basket configured to assume (i) a radially-reduced profile when the expandable basket is radially constricted, and (ii) a radially-expanded profile when the expandable basket is not radially constricted, the expandable basket further comprising a distal electrical connector; and an electrical lead extending distally between the J-bar and the expandable basket, the electrical lead being electrically connected to (i) the distal electrical connector formed on the tracker, and (ii) the distal electrical connector of the expandable basket.
Core Innovation
The disclosed methods track the location of a deformable anatomical structure using a tissue-mounted J-bar tracker that provides a position-representative signal when supplied with electrical power. The system comprises a scope configured to remain in the lumen during deformation, a needle cannula, a pusher, and an electrical lead assembly. One configuration electrically connects the J-bar tracker to an expandable basket positioned exterior to the anatomical structure, while another configuration incorporates a deployment assembly tracker.
The description provides tracking and surgical guidance relative to targets and planned resection lines using virtual anatomical models registered to intraoperative imaging and tracked instruments. Described techniques include deformation modeling, airway mapping, and delivery of visual, audible, quantitative, or haptic cues during navigation and resection. The background section is not included in the provided content, so the specific problem being solved is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify two independent claims covering methods for tracking the location of a deformable anatomical structure. The claim coverage comprises two inventive features.
Tissue-anchored tracker with an expandable basket
Claim 1 covers a method using a scope configured to remain in a lumen of a deformable anatomical structure during deformation, a needle cannula, a pusher, and a J-bar tracker with at least one tissue mount that provides a position-representative signal when powered. An electrical lead extends between the J-bar and an expandable basket positioned exterior to the anatomical structure, electrically connecting distal connectors on both components, where the basket shifts between radially-reduced and radially-expanded profiles.
J-bar tracker with a deployment assembly tracker
Claim 14 covers a method using a scope configured to remain in the lumen of a deformable anatomical structure during deformation, a needle cannula, a pusher, a tissue-mounted J-bar tracker that provides a position-representative signal, and an electrical lead extending distally from the J-bar. A deployment assembly tracker mounted to the needle cannula or pusher is disposed proximate to the assembly in the needle lumen and provides a position-representative signal when supplied with electrical power.
Independent claims 1 and 14 cover related methods for tracking deformable anatomical structures using a tissue-mounted J-bar tracker, with claim 1 specifying an electrical connection to an external expandable basket and claim 14 incorporating an additional deployment assembly tracker.
Stated Advantages
Real-time position updates, airway mapping, deformation modeling, and visual, audible, quantitative, or haptic cues support margin-preserving resection.
Documented Applications
Tracking the location of deformable anatomical structures, including lung and breast tissue, and tracker and expandable basket placement in lung anatomy traversed through an airway.
Bronchial navigation and deployment of a tissue-anchored J-bar tracker near a lung target relative to a planned resection line to support surgical planning and deployment.
Lesion localization and resection guidance using virtual anatomical models registered to intraoperative imaging and tracked instruments.
Interested in licensing this patent?