Active Transponder Wireless Magnetic Tracking for Radiation Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless magnetic tracking systems for radiation therapy are limited by the need for temporally separated excitation and measurement periods in passive transponders, which slows down tracking speed, and require multiple excitation coils, further reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wireless magnetic tracking system with active transponders that can simultaneously measure and transmit magnetic field data during coil energization, using a computing device to sequentially energize coils and determine the transponder's position and orientation, and incorporating magneto-resistive sensors and a wireless transmitter for real-time tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive transponders are used with temporally separated excitation and measurement periods, then the system can operate with simpler transponder design, but the tracking speed is slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder design transitions from passive to active, enabling simultaneous excitation and measurement operations. The active transponder includes a sensor array that continuously monitors magnetic field changes during coil excitation, eliminating the temporal separation requirement and significantly improving tracking speed while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated circuit design
2Measurement precision
If a large number of excitation coils are used, then the magnetic field coverage and measurement accuracy are improved, but the tracking speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The excitation coil array is segmented and activated in sequential time slots rather than simultaneously. The controller selectively energizes specific coil segments in a coordinated sequence, allowing the sensor array to capture magnetic field data from multiple coils without temporal overlap, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling faster tracking speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sequential excitation of coil arrays in synchronized time slots. The controller cycles through activating different coil segments in a predetermined sequence, with the active transponder capturing magnetic field data during each phase. This periodic action enables comprehensive spatial coverage through multiple coils while maintaining high tracking speed through time-multiplexed operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster and more accurate real-time tracking of tumors during radiation therapy with reduced exposure to healthy tissues, achieving position and orientation determination with an error of less than 5 millimeters.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transmitting coils each configured to generate a magnetic field when energized
Implementation Method 2
The active transponder may include at least two magneto-resistive sensors, where each of the at least two magneto-resistive sensors is configured to measure a different component of the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for wireless magnetic tracking are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a wireless magnetic tracking system may include a plurality of transmitting coils each configured to generate a magnetic field when energized, an active transponder configured to simultaneously (i) obtain measurements of the magnetic field when one of the plurality of transmitting coils is energized and (ii) transmit a wireless signal containing data concerning the measurements, and a computing device configured to (i) cause each of the plurality of transmitting coils to be sequentially energized, (ii) receive the data concerning the measurements, and (iii) determine a position and an orientation of the active transponder relative to the plurality of transmitting coils in response to the data concerning the measurements.