Biopsy Tool Navigation via Image-Guided Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bronchoscopes are limited in reaching deep lung locations due to size constraints, and once a locatable guide is removed, tracking and precise repositioning of biopsy tools become challenging without guidance, leading to 'blind' operation.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a bronchoscope, monitoring equipment, a tracking system, and a biopsy tool with a sensor assembly and elongated flexible body, enabling navigation and precise positioning of the biopsy tool to a target location within the airways using a locatable guide and extended working channel, and facilitating tissue sampling with a vacuum source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a locatable guide is used to navigate to the target location, then navigation precision is improved, but device complexity increases and tracking is lost when the guide is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tracking system (locatable guide with physical sensors) with an image-guided navigation system that uses visual markers and image processing to track the biopsy tool's position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tracking components while maintaining navigation precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the anatomical space through imaging (creating a navigational map) and uses this digital representation to guide the physical biopsy tool, allowing precise navigation without requiring the physical tool to have complex tracking mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the locatable guide is removed to allow free movement of the biopsy tool, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs as tracking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the anatomical navigation information through imaging and maintains this virtual map throughout the procedure, allowing the operator to see the tool's position and navigate effectively without relying on physical tracking sensors that would constrain the tool's movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual markers with distinct color patterns that can be detected by the imaging system, allowing the software to track the biopsy tool's position through image recognition rather than mechanical sensors, thus preserving tracking information while allowing free tool movement
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bronchoscope size is reduced to reach deep lung locations, then adaptability is improved, but illumination intensity and imaging quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources and imaging systems into an integrated navigation platform that provides sufficient illumination and imaging quality even in smaller, more flexible bronchoscopes, allowing deep lung access without sacrificing visual capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on large physical bronchoscope structures with an image-guided navigation system that can guide smaller, more flexible tools to deep locations using visual feedback from markers and anatomical landmarks
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing a surgical procedure includes a bronchoscope, monitoring equipment coupled to the bronchoscope, a tracking system, a positioning assembly, and a biopsy tool. The biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a biopsy member formed on the distal end of the elongated flexible body. The biopsy member includes a tissue-receiving portion defining an opening including sharpened edges. The sharpened edges are disposed on the interior perimeter of the opening and are capable of cutting tissue. A biopsy tool is also provided.