US Patent 11219490 Systems and methods for entry point localization

A teleoperative system includes a teleoperational manipulator, a flexible medical instrument, an entry port, a sensor system, and a control system. The flexible medical instrument is coupled to and movable by the teleoperational manipulator. The entry port provides a passageway for insertion of the flexible medical instrument into a patient body. The sensor system includes a first sensor fixedly coupled to the entry port. The control system is configured to use information transmitted by the first sensor to determine a position and orientation of the entry port with respect to the flexible medical instrument.