Patent ID: 11877770
Assignee: VERIX HEALTH, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method of using a pulmonary access device to biopsy a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) located in parenchyma of a patient, the pulmonary access device comprising an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section, a bendable shaft section, and a distal shaft section, the pulmonary access device further comprising a steering plate affixed within the elongate shaft along the bendable shaft section and the distal shaft section, wherein the steering plate has a geometric profile that tapers down in the distal direction along the bendable shaft section, such that the steering plate gradually transitions a higher lateral stiffness profile of the proximal shaft section of the elongated shaft to a lower lateral stiffness profile of the distal shaft section of the elongated shaft, the method comprising:
introducing a profiled stylet within a channel of the elongated shaft, the profiled stylet having a proximal stylet section with a first lateral stiffness profile, an intermediate stylet section having a second lateral stiffness profile less than the first lateral stiffness profile, and a distal stylet section, wherein, when the profiled stylet is introduced within the channel of the elongated shaft, the intermediate stylet section axially aligns with the bendable shaft section of the elongated shaft;
navigating the pulmonary access device through a bronchial airway of the patient;
puncturing a distal tip of the elongated shaft through a wall of the bronchial airway into the parenchyma;
tracking the distal tip of the elongated shaft through the parenchyma to a first site of the SPN by tensioning a pull wire affixed to the steering plate to actively deflect the distal shaft section while distally advancing the pulmonary access device; and, taking a biopsy sample from the first site of the SPN.