A contact detection method (70) involves a navigation of a contact detection tube (20�) within an open space of an anatomical region (50) of a body. The contact detection tube includes a tubular wall (21) having an interior surface (23) defining a working channel (24), and an electrode (30) integrated in the tubular wall (21). The electrode (30) electrically connects the contact detection tube (20�) to an electrically conductive object (41, 52) (e.g., biological tissue or a medical instrument/tool) in physical contact with an exterior surface (22) of the tubular wall (21) and electrically isolates the working channel (24) from any electrical connection of the tube (20�) to the object (41, 52). The method (70) further involves a determination of a contact status of the contact detection tube (20�) between an open state (i.e., no physical contact) and a closed state (i.e., physical contact).
