Capacitive Sensor System for Non-Invasive Internal Organ Shift Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the displacement of internal objects within a patient, such as optical, magnetic, and imaging modalities, face challenges including accuracy, invasiveness, radiation exposure, and high costs, making them inefficient for real-time tracking during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensor system with an arrangement of electrodes is used to determine displacement by measuring capacitance changes near the patient's body, allowing for non-invasive, contactless tracking without the need for markers, thereby reducing radiation exposure and procedural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical or magnetic tracking methods are used to determine internal object displacement, then tracking capability is provided, but line of sight must be clear and markers must be attached to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical and magnetic tracking systems with electrical field-based capacitive sensing. Instead of using optical cameras requiring line of sight or magnetic sensors requiring markers, the invention uses capacitive electrodes to detect tissue displacement through electrical field changes, eliminating the need for markers and line of sight while providing continuous tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capacitive electrodes as an intermediary between the measurement system and the internal object. The electrodes detect capacitance changes in the tissue, which serve as an indirect measure of displacement, allowing tracking without direct contact with or attachment to the internal object itself
2Measurement precision
If imaging modalities such as X-ray or CT are used to determine internal object position, then position information is obtained, but radiation dose to the patient increases and procedures become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ionizing radiation-based imaging modalities with non-ionizing electrical field-based capacitive sensing. The capacitive electrodes detect tissue displacement through changes in electrical capacitance, providing position information without exposing the patient to radiation, thereby eliminating the harmful effects associated with repeated X-ray or CT imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple capacitive electrodes that can be easily positioned and removed, replacing expensive and time-consuming imaging procedures. The capacitive sensing system provides continuous, real-time displacement information without the high cost and time investment required for repeated imaging scans
3Measurement precision
If imaging modalities are used to track internal object position, then position data is obtained, but the procedures are costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous capacitive sensing that provides real-time displacement information throughout the medical procedure. Instead of taking intermittent snapshots through repeated imaging scans, the capacitive electrodes continuously monitor tissue capacitance changes, providing ongoing position data without interruption or time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming imaging modalities with rapid electrical field-based capacitive detection. The capacitive sensing system can detect and report displacement information almost instantaneously, eliminating the setup and execution time required for imaging procedures while maintaining measurement precision
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
The capacitive sensor system provides precise, accurate, and cost-efficient tracking of internal organ shifts, enhancing medical workflow efficiency and patient safety by eliminating the need for invasive markers and minimizing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
providing, with the capacitive sensor, a plurality of sensor signals, wherein each sensor signal is indicative of a capacitance in a vicinity of at least one electrode of the arrangement of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and apparatus for determining displacement of an internal object disposed in a patient's body. The method includes positioning an arrangement of electrodes of a capacitive sensor adjacent to a patient's body part, such that each electrode is spaced apart from the body part, wherein the body part at least partly encloses the internal object of the patient. Providing, with the capacitive sensor, a plurality of sensor signals, wherein each sensor signal is indicative of a capacitance in a vicinity of at least one electrode of the arrangement of electrodes, determining a set of capacitance values for at least a subset of the electrodes of the arrangement of electrodes based on processing the plurality of sensor signals, and determining a displacement of the internal object with respect to the body part based on comparing the determined set of capacitance values with a set of reference capacitance values.