Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus such as a suction instrument includes a position sensor proximate to a distal tip of a malleable shaft. A sensor wire couples the position sensor to a processor of an image guided surgery system such that signals generated by the position sensor can be interpreted to determine the position of the surgical instrument. The malleable shaft includes a malleable outer shaft and a flexible inner tube. The flexible inner tube includes a primary lumen that can provide suction, fluid, or various deployable surgical tools, and an inner lumen that holds the sensor wire. Protected within the inner lumen, the sensor wire runs the length of the shaft and exits the inner lumen and passes through a slot in the outer shaft to reach the position sensor. A heat shrink cover wraps the distal tip, sealing the components together and providing an opening suitable for suction.

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First Claim