Augmented Reality Ultrasound Needle Guide for Unrestricted Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound needle guides are costly, limited in reusability, and restrict angle guidance, necessitating a need for flexible and cost-effective solutions that can be used with any ultrasound transducer.
Innovation Solution
A holographic augmented reality ultrasound needle guide system that provides a full and unrestricted range of angle guidance, using spatial computing, augmented reality, and AI to generate a holographic needle guide adaptable to any ultrasound probe and needle size, eliminating the need for physical guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical ultrasound needle guides are used, then angle guidance is provided, but cost increases and reusability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the needle guide functionality through holographic augmented reality instead of using physical guides. The system projects a virtual needle guide that overlays the patient's anatomy, allowing multiple angle configurations to be displayed simultaneously without requiring multiple physical guides. This virtual copying approach eliminates the cost and waste associated with disposable physical guides while providing comprehensive angle guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical needle guide system with a holographic augmented reality system. Instead of using physical brackets, mechanical angle selectors, and disposable guides, the system uses computer-generated holograms projected through an augmented reality display. This substitution eliminates the manufacturing costs and disposal requirements of physical guides while maintaining or enhancing the angle guidance functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical needle guides with predetermined angles are used, then some angle guidance is provided, but full and unrestricted range of angles is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtual needle guide system where the guide angles and trajectories can be adjusted in real-time based on the procedure requirements. The system allows practitioners to modify the needle path, select different entry points, and change angles dynamically during the procedure, unlike static physical guides with fixed predetermined angles. This dynamic capability provides unrestricted angle guidance without requiring multiple complex physical guide configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holographic augmented reality needle guide system serves multiple functions within a single platform: it provides angle guidance, visualizes the needle trajectory in three dimensions, allows adjustment of multiple parameters, and adapts to different anatomical structures. This universal system replaces the need for multiple specialized physical guides with different predetermined angles, providing full and unrestricted angle guidance through a single versatile device.
3Ease of operation
If practitioners need to move the probe independently, then flexibility is improved, but alignment with mechanical guide becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual holographic needle guide is projected independently of the physical probe position, creating a flexible reference framework that practitioners can overlay on the patient's anatomy. The virtual guide updates dynamically as the probe moves, maintaining accurate spatial relationships without requiring mechanical attachment. This allows practitioners to move the probe freely for optimal positioning while the virtual guide continuously adapts to provide accurate angle guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
A holographic augmented reality ultrasound needle guide system and method includes an augmented reality display such as a headset wearable by a user. The augmented reality display is configured to depict a virtual ultrasound image. The augmented reality display is further configured to allow a user to select a desired reference point on the virtual ultrasound image. The system is configured to depict a holographic needle guide based on the selection of the desired reference point. The system is also configured to adjust a trajectory of the holographic needle guide to avoid intersecting undesired anatomical structures. The augmented reality display is further configured to stamp the holographic needle guide into a selectively locked trajectory and position.