Biopsy Needle Visualization for Post-Fire Deflection Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy procedures rely heavily on the skill and experience of medical professionals to accurately position biopsy needles, as ultrasound guidance provides limited information about the needle's post-fire configuration, leading to unpredictable deflections due to varying needle types and tissue properties.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy needle visualization system using ultrasound technology to emit and detect sound waves, identify the needle's properties, and display real-time prediction indicators for its post-fire location, including tip and aperture positions, based on needle and tissue characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ultrasound technology is used to guide biopsy needle insertion, then visualization of the needle in subcutaneous position is improved, but additional information about the lesion and needle post-fire configuration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the biopsy needle in its pre-fire configuration using ultrasound imaging, then uses stored needle properties to predict the post-fire configuration before the actual firing occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and display predicted tip and aperture locations in advance, compensating for the limited real-time information available during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model or copy of the biopsy needle by storing its properties (length, gauge, wall thickness, material composition, tip geometry, throw length, firing mechanism) and uses this copy to simulate and predict the needle's behavior after firing. This virtual replica allows visualization of post-fire configuration without requiring direct real-time observation.
2Measurement precision
If prediction indicators for post-fire needle location are displayed, then guidance accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary needle properties are stored in memory before the biopsy procedure begins. When needed, the system retrieves these pre-stored properties and combines them with the identified pre-fire needle position to calculate and display prediction indicators. This preliminary preparation of data eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during the procedure, maintaining system simplicity while achieving high guidance accuracy.
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
Provides precise guidance for accurate needle positioning, reducing the need for repeated procedures and improving sampling accuracy by displaying predicted needle locations and deflection probabilities, benefiting both experienced and less-experienced surgeons.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an array of ultrasonic sound waves from an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasound probe, detecting reflected ultrasonic sound waves by the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the reflected ultrasonic sound waves include at least a portion of the array of ultrasonic sound waves after being reflected from an interior of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems providing guidance for operation of a biopsy needle based on ultrasonic imaging. Ultrasonic waves are emitted and detected by a ultrasonic transducer to generate image data. A biopsy needle is identified within the generated image data, and the biopsy needle may be in a pre-fire configuration. Based on the identification of the biopsy needle, the methods and systems may determine a predicted location of the biopsy needle based at least in part on biopsy needle properties. The predicted location of the biopsy needle may be the predicated location of the biopsy needle in its post-fire configuration. At least one indicator may be displayed indicating the determined predicted location.