Systems and methods for medical procedure confirmation

Abstract

A method comprises advancing a medical instrument toward a target within a patient anatomy, and the medical instrument includes a marker. The method further comprises depositing the marker at a location at or near the target along a trajectory of the medical instrument. The method further comprises sensing the marker to indicate a location of the target. The method further comprises, based on the marker, determining a second trajectory along which a treatment instrument may be advanced toward the target to treat the target. The second trajectory is different than the trajectory.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 advancing a medical instrument toward a target within a patient anatomy, the medical instrument including a marker;   depositing the marker at a location at or near the target along a trajectory of the medical instrument;   sensing the marker to indicate a location of the target; and   based on the marker, determining a second trajectory along which a treatment instrument may be advanced toward the target to treat the target, wherein the second trajectory is different than the trajectory.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 withdrawing the medical instrument away from the target.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 after withdrawing the medical instrument, advancing the treatment instrument along the second trajectory toward the target.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein advancing the treatment instrument along the second trajectory includes advancing the treatment instrument along the second trajectory to treat the target. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein when the marker is positioned at the location at or near the target, the marker indicates a farthest advancement point of the medical instrument within the patient anatomy. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the marker includes an elongated body including a distal portion and a proximal portion. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising removing a biopsy sample from the target. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the marker functions as a sensor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the marker includes a radiopaque component. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising applying a treatment to the target with the treatment instrument. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 an elongate medical instrument;   an indication device including a marker, the indication device configured to indicate a target in a patient anatomy when the indication device is deposited at a location at or near the target along a first trajectory of the elongate medical instrument; and   a treatment instrument for treatment at the target where the treatment instrument is configured to be advanced toward the target along a second trajectory to treat the target, wherein the second trajectory is different than the first trajectory.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the indication device includes an elongated body including a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion is linearly aligned with the proximal portion. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein when the marker is positioned at the location at or near the target, the marker indicates a farthest advancement point of the elongate medical instrument within the patient anatomy. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a biopsy instrument, wherein the biopsy instrument is deliverable by the elongate medical instrument to remove a biopsy sample from the target. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the marker is a sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the marker includes an electromagnetic sensor. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the marker includes a radiopaque component. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the indication device includes a plurality of markers, wherein each marker of the plurality of markers includes a unique identification. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the marker is a biomarker that changes in response to at least one of received energy or a chemistry of tissue at or near the target. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the marker is anchorable to tissue at or near the target.