Instrument-guiding device

Abstract

The invention relates to an instrument-guiding device comprising a sensor unit and a housing which comprises a lower face and an upper face, the lower face of the housing being the face facing the body of the living being during use of the instrument-guiding device, and the upper face of the housing being the face facing away from the body of the living being during use, and the upper face being arranged opposite the lower face of the housing, characterised in that the sensor unit is a cableless sensor unit which consists of a metamaterial and is arranged in the interior of the housing between the lower face and the upper face, and in that the upper face and the lower face of the housing each have an array which has at least one opening for introducing an instrument.

Description

[0001] 1

[0002] Instrument guide device

[0003] The present invention relates to an instrument guidance device for supporting the performance of a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being, and a system comprising this instrument guidance device for performing a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being.

[0004] When performing percutaneous needle-based interventions, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or ultrasound are often used to support the procedure and increase the success rate. MRI is used, for example, for minimally invasive interventions on the prostate or breast. Typical intervention types include taking tissue samples (biopsy) or the local destruction of malignant tissue by ablation (e.g., microwave ablation, cryoablation, or electroporation).

[0005] For the aforementioned body regions, patient positioning typically takes place in positioning systems equipped with dedicated needle guides or guides at the surgical site. These guides, for example, can be designed as a grid and serve as an essential tool for the surgeon's workflow. The guides can even support surgical planning through integrated markers, which are registered manually or automatically with the patient. This registration allows for the planning of a needle trajectory to the target tissue. The trajectory passes through the needle guide and can be selected according to a grid pattern. The needle guide also provides additional mechanical stabilization during needle insertion.

[0006] High image quality is essential for successful treatment. Receiver coils are used to receive the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal from the patient and send it to the scanner for image reconstruction. Often, these scans lack sufficient image quality, particularly at the injection site, or the scans take too long to achieve adequate image quality (trade-off: time vs. image quality).

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an instrument guidance device by means of which image quality is improved. In particular, the signal should be amplified locally, but also improved in more distant areas (location of the malignant tissue).

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by providing an instrument guidance device to support the performance of a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being using an imaging system. The device comprises a sensor unit and a housing, which includes a bottom and a top. When the instrument guidance device is used, the bottom of the housing is the side facing the body of the living being, and the top of the housing is the side facing away from the body of the living being. The top of the housing is arranged opposite the bottom of the housing. The sensor unit is a wireless sensor unit made of a metamaterial and is arranged inside the housing between the bottom and the top. The top and bottom of the housing each have an array, each having at least one opening for the insertion of an instrument.

[0009] A living being refers to a human or an animal. An instrument can be any instrument necessary for the specific intervention. In particular, however, an instrument is a needle or applicator used to take tissue samples or to directly destroy malignant tissue.

[0010] The basic geometry of the instrument guide device can be a square, a polygon, or a circle. Furthermore, the instrument guide device can be made of a flexible material, allowing it to conform precisely to the surface of a living being's body. For example, it can be designed to adapt to the curvature of the breast.

[0011] The wireless sensor unit is, in particular, a wireless coil that is removable and mounted within the instrument guide. However, the wireless sensor unit can also be permanently integrated into the instrument guide. Metamaterial is an electromagnetic structure consisting of a multitude of (identical) unit cells in the sub-wavelength range, whose strong coupling determines the metamaterial's function. The wireless sensor unit is designed for an operating frequency (Lamor frequency of a scanner in an imaging system). This operating frequency is typically in the range of 1 kHz to 500 MHz.

[0012] An opening is defined as the area in an array through which an instrument can be guided into or through the instrument guide housing. The opening can have various shapes, such as square, rectangular, round, elliptical, or similar. Furthermore, depending on the application of the instrument guide, the opening can vary in size to accommodate particularly large instruments. Additionally, a color-coded indicator can be applied next to the opening to further clarify the procedure for the physician, for example, during a minimally invasive intervention, thus simplifying the procedure.In addition to the at least one opening in the array on the top and bottom of the housing, an opening can also be arranged in the metamaterial through which an instrument can be inserted. However, it is also possible to pierce the metamaterial without requiring a separate opening in the metamaterial. 4.

[0013] The instrument guide can be manufactured as a sterile, single-use component. An advantage of this design is that the instrument guide does not need to be sterilized before or after each use, thus reducing the time required for an intervention. Furthermore, using a single-use component reduces the risk associated with using a non-sterile instrument guide. However, it is also possible, instead of or in addition to the single-use design, to attach a supplementary cover as a sterile barrier around the instrument guide. The instrument guide can also have at least one mechanical interface for at least one external guidance aid, which can be controlled manually or by a robot.The mechanical interface can be used to attach the instrument guidance device to at least one patient support or at least one other instrument guidance system. Additionally, the instrument guidance device can include at least one illumination element, giving the physician performing the intervention a better view of the patient's body. This further increases patient safety and / or minimizes the risk of the intervention.

[0014] An advantage of the instrument guidance device according to the invention is that it improves image quality. Furthermore, the instrument guidance device according to the invention enables higher image quality with a shorter scan time. As a result, the intervention on the living being becomes safer overall, since the intervention time is reduced and the treating physician obtains a high-quality image of the area to be treated by using the instrument guidance device according to the invention, thus enabling the intervention to be performed more safely than with known devices.

[0015] Furthermore, the instrument guidance device according to the invention is advantageous in that it is independent of the manufacturers of imaging systems and, moreover, is more cost-effective in production compared to known instrument guidance devices that have embedded wired sensor units due to the embedding of the metamaterial as a wireless sensor unit.

[0016] A preferred instrument guidance device according to the invention is one in which at least one instrument access channel extends from at least one opening in the top of the housing through the wireless sensor unit to the underside of the housing and through it.

[0017] Furthermore, the instrument guidance device according to the invention is preferred in which at least two instrument access channels run parallel to each other.

[0018] A preferred instrument guidance device according to the invention is one in which the housing further comprises a convergence point over which at least two instrument access channels approach or cross each other.

[0019] In particular, an instrument guidance device according to the invention is preferred in which the arrays have a plurality of periodically arranged openings.

[0020] Furthermore, an instrument guidance device according to the invention is preferred in which the instrument guidance device further comprises at least one marker.

[0021] The at least one marker can be made of a material suitable for absorbing a contrast agent, enabling its use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Using a marker allows for more precise localization of the instrument and more accurate tracking of its movement. Furthermore, the at least one marker can be used to register the instrument guidance device with the organism on which the intervention is performed.

[0022] Particularly preferred is an instrument guidance device according to the invention in which the metamaterial is composed of unit cells which are formed in a strip-like or grid-like or circular or polygonal or spiral shape or from a combination of the aforementioned.

[0023] In particular, an instrument guidance device according to the invention is preferred in which the wireless sensor unit has at least one device for signal transmission.

[0024] Furthermore, an instrument guidance device according to the invention is advantageous in which the wireless sensor unit has at least one decoupling circuit designed to decouple the wireless sensor unit from an imaging system.

[0025] In particular, decoupling is used during the excitation phase of an imaging procedure in a magnetic resonance tomography scanner.

[0026] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a system for performing a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being, comprising a) an instrument guidance device according to the invention, in which the wireless sensor unit is designed to amplify a signal received by means of a wired sensor unit, b) the wired sensor unit, which has a signal transmission device and transmits the amplified signal to a scanner of an imaging system, and c) an imaging system with a scanner, which has a processing device for receiving the signal and for processing and converting the signal into an image. 7

[0027] A particular advantage of the system according to the invention is the use of a wireless sensor unit, which amplifies the signal or reception profile of the wired sensor unit. As a result, the overall image quality is improved.

[0028] In particular, a system according to the invention is preferred in which the imaging system is a magnetic resonance tomograph.

[0029] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional sketch of an embodiment of the instrument guidance device according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a two-dimensional sketch of an embodiment of an array of the instrument guidance device according to the invention;

[0032] Fig. 3A shows a first graphic representation of an exemplary formation of the unit cells of the metamaterial;

[0033] Fig. 3B shows a second graphic representation of an exemplary formation of the unit cells of the metamaterial;

[0034] Fig. 3C shows a third graphical representation of an exemplary formation of the unit cells of the metamaterial;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary graphical representation of the system according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional sketch of an instrument guidance device 1 according to the invention. The instrument guidance device 1 comprises a housing having a top surface 2 and a bottom surface 3. In the exemplary illustration, the metamaterial 5 is shown, from which a wireless sensor unit is formed, which is part of the instrument guidance device 1. The metamaterial 5 is located inside the housing between the top surface 2 and the bottom surface 3 of the 8.

[0037] The wireless sensor unit can be designed to be removable or as a permanently integrated component of the instrument guidance device 1. The metamaterial 5 in Figure 1 consists of a plurality of unit cells. In the illustrated embodiment, the unit cells are arranged in a grid pattern at periodic intervals. This arrangement is identical to the arrangement of the openings (not shown) in the arrays of the underside 3 and the top side 2 of the housing. Figure 1 shows instrument guidance channels 7, which extend from the top side 2 of the housing through the metamaterial 5 to the underside 3 of the housing. An instrument, for example, a needle, can be guided through the instrument guidance device 1 via the instrument guidance channels 7.The instrument guide channels 7 mechanically stabilize a needle, thereby simplifying the performance of an intervention on the body of a living being for a physician performing the intervention.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument guidance device 1 according to the invention is shown in a square shape. However, it is also possible to design the instrument guidance device 1 as a circle, polygon, or equilateral polygon.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a two-dimensional sketch of an embodiment of an array of the instrument guidance device according to the invention. As can be seen in the figure, the array of this embodiment contains a plurality of openings 6, which are arranged periodically. During an intervention, an instrument is guided through an opening 6 through the interior of the instrument guidance device and through the underside of the housing of the instrument guidance device. At the underside of the housing, the instrument guidance device rests against the body of a living being on whom the intervention is performed by a physician. The guidance of the instrument is further mechanically stabilized by the use of an instrument guidance channel 7.Such an instrument guidance channel 7 extends from the opening 6 of the array on the top of the housing of the instrument guidance device, through the interior of the housing to the bottom of the housing and through it. In the embodiment shown according to Figure 2, a 9.

[0040] Instrument guidance channel 7 is shown. However, it is also possible that a multitude of instrument guidance channels 7 extend from the openings 6 in the array, running parallel to each other, or approaching or intersecting at a point of convergence.

[0041] Figures 3A to 3C graphically illustrate three different embodiments of the unit cells of the metamaterial. The unit cells can be circular, as shown in Figure 3A; lattice-shaped, as shown in Figure 2B; or strip-shaped, as shown in Figure 3C.

[0042] Figure 4 graphically illustrates an embodiment of the system according to the invention. The system is used for performing a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being 9. For the intervention, a wired sensor unit 8 of the system according to the invention is arranged on one side of the living being's body. The wired sensor unit 8 is designed to transmit a signal to the scanner of the imaging system via the cable. The metamaterial 5 in the wireless sensor unit, which is arranged in an instrument guidance device 1 of the system according to the invention, enhances the reception profile of the wired sensor unit 8. As can be seen in Figure 4, the instrument guidance device according to the invention is arranged on a different side of the living being's body 9 than the wired sensor unit 8.The instrument guidance device comprises a housing with a top 2 and a bottom 3, the bottom 3 of the housing facing the body of the organism 9. The wireless sensor unit, consisting of metamaterial 5, is arranged between the top 2 and the bottom 3. The metamaterial 5 is composed of a multitude of unit cells and is designed to amplify the reception profile of the wired sensor unit. The imaging system 10 can, for example, be a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The scanner of the imaging system 10 receives the signal from the wired sensor unit 8, amplified by the wireless sensor unit consisting of metamaterial, via a cable and processes it. The scanner 10 then converts it into an image. Due to the amplified signal, a very clear and high-quality image is displayed compared to the prior art.Thus, the doctor performing the intervention has a clear picture at every point during the intervention of the intervention site on the body of the organism 9 itself, as well as of the instrument being used and more distant areas in the body of the organism 9 where malignant tissue may be present.

[0043] 11

[0044] Reference symbol list

[0045] 1 Instrument guide device 2 Top of the housing

[0046] 3 Underside of the case

[0047] 4 Wireless Sensor Unit

[0048] 5 Metamaterial

[0049] 6 Opening 7 Instrument access channel

[0050] 8 Wired sensor unit

[0051] 9 Body of a living being

[0052] 10 Imaging System

Claims

12 Patent claims 1. Instrument guidance device (1) for supporting the performance of a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being (9) by means of an imaging system, comprising a sensor unit and a housing which includes a bottom (3) and a top (2), wherein the bottom (3) of the housing is the side facing the body of the living being (9) when the instrument guidance device (1) is used, and the top (2) of the housing is the side facing away from the body of the living being (9) when the instrument guidance device (1) is used, and the top (2) is arranged opposite the bottom (3) of the housing, characterized in that the sensor unit is a wireless sensor unit (4) which consists of a metamaterial (5) and is arranged between the bottom (3) and the top (2) inside the housing, and that the top (2) and the bottom (3) of the housing each have an array,each having at least one opening (6) for the insertion of an instrument.

2. Instrument guidance device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one instrument access channel (7) extends from at least one opening (6) in the top (2) of the housing through the wireless sensor unit (4) to the bottom (3) of the housing and through it.

3. Instrument guidance device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two instrument access channels (7) run parallel to each other.

4. Instrument guidance device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing further comprises a convergence point over which at least two instrument access channels (7) approach or cross each other. 13 5. Instrument guidance device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrays have a plurality of periodically arranged openings (6).

6. Instrument guidance device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the instrument guidance device (1) further comprises at least one marker.

7. Instrument guidance device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metamaterial (5) is composed of unit cells which are strip-shaped or grid-shaped or circular or polygonal or spiral or a combination of the aforementioned.

8. Instrument guidance device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless sensor unit (4) has at least one device for signal transmission.

9. Instrument guidance device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless sensor unit (4) has at least one decoupling circuit designed to decouple the wireless sensor unit (4) from an imaging system.

10. System for performing a minimally invasive intervention on the body of a living being, comprising a) an instrument guidance device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wireless sensor unit (4) is configured to amplify a signal received by means of a wired sensor unit (8), b) the wired sensor unit (8) which has a signal transmission device and transmits the c) amplified signal to a scanner of an imaging system, and d) an imaging system comprising a scanner which includes a processing unit for receiving the signal and for processing and converting the signal into an image.

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the imaging system is a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

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