Smart lung catheter with navigation

The project goal is to create a tracked catheter platform for endoluminal navigation in image-guided procedures. This project aims to create the most advanced image-guided flexible catheter platform on the market with immediate application to diagnosis and treatment of intraluminal disease such as lung cancer using minimally invasive approaches. The project combines high-precision electromagnetic tip tracking with novel instrument control and navigation. Image-guidance is by means of virtual, patient-registered navigation which enables lower radiation exposure for the patient and intervention in the clinic rather than the surgical theatre. The main result of the project will be more accurate, more effective and less expensive management of early stage lung cancer. Increased accuracy will be achieved through significant progress beyond the current state of the art in electromagnetic tracking technology. Our platform will include (1) proprietary active interference cancellation to reduce electromagnetic distortion, (2) real-time patient motion tracking for compensation of tracking errors due to breathing and patient movement and (3) active transmission frequency modulation for better signal to noise in the clinical setting. The platform will be more effective by facilitating rapid on-site imaging, biopsy and evaluation without loss of position during the procedure by the use of high-precision steerable catheter technology. The working channel of our tracked catheter facilitates deployment of the most advanced diagnostic imaging technology in the airways such as endobronchial ultrasound [cite] and optical coherence tomography [cite]. Advanced imaging when used in conjunction with instrument tracking has been shown to significantly improve diagnosis and clinical outcomes [cite]. In addition, the channel can be used for immediate endoluminal probe therapy using high-impact developmental technologies such as photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy and electrochemotherapy.