DEVICES FOR USE IN INTERVENTIONAL AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

1 . A device configured to be attached to a bronchoscope, the device comprising:

an applicator having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the shaft being configured to be slidably received within the internal channel of the applicator;

a catheter configured to be positioned within the internal channel of the shaft;

a guide wire positioned within the catheter;

a connector configured to be attached to the distal end of the applicator, configured to engage a bronchoscope, and configured so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the applicator, the handle comprising a trigger operable to selectively lock or unlock sliding motion of the shaft with respect to the applicator; and

a radio opaque material attached to an outer portion of the device, the radio opaque material being positioned in a predetermined pattern.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the pattern is non-uniform.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the pattern includes the radio opaque material having a first density at a first location and a second density at a second location, the first and second densities being different from one another.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the radio opaque material is positioned (a) on the catheter, (b) on the guide wire, or (c) on both the catheter and the guide wire.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the applicator includes a luer lock entrance.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the connector includes a luer lock plug that is connected to the luer lock entrance of the proximal end of the applicator.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the guide wire is either flexible, rigid, pre-curved, and or configured to be curved.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the catheter includes a pull wire that is configured to control a curvature of the guide wire.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the grip handle is configured to rotate with respect to the shaft.

10 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene tube positioned within the shaft and configured to guide movement of the catheter.

11 . A method for medical imaging, comprising:

providing a bronchoscope;

providing a device configured to be attached to the bronchoscope, the device including

an applicator having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the shaft being configured to be slidably received within the internal channel of the applicator;

a catheter configured to be positioned within the internal channel of the shaft;

a guide wire positioned within the catheter;

a connector configured to be attached to the distal end of the applicator, configured to engage a bronchoscope, and configured so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the applicator, the handle comprising a trigger operable to selectively lock or unlock sliding motion of the shaft with respect to the applicator; and

a radio opaque material attached to an outer portion of the device, the radio opaque material being positioned in a predetermined pattern;

attaching the device to the bronchoscope;

placing the bronchoscope within a body cavity of a body of a patient;

obtaining at least one medical image of at least a portion of the body of the patient, the at least a portion including the body cavity; and

determining a depth of the device within the body based on at least the predetermined pattern and the at least one medical image.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the medical image is an X-ray.