Endoscopic Capsule Localization Using Adaptive Signal Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for locating endoscopic capsules rely heavily on image analysis and are prone to human error, require controlled laboratory settings, and fail to account for anatomical and physiological variations, leading to inaccurate and unreliable data.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using trilateration of signals from a subset of receivers to estimate the location of the endoscopic capsule, with iterative verification and adaptation to patient characteristics, ensuring high accuracy without reliance on physician expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic tracking systems use multiple antennas and complex signal processing, then localization precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking function into separate components: localization antennas in the imaging system, identification antennas in the medical device, and a computer system for signal processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system acts as an intermediary that receives electromagnetic signals from multiple antennas, processes the complex signal data, and calculates device position and orientation. This intermediary handles the computational complexity separately from the physical tracking components.
2Measurement precision
If the medical device includes identification antenna and electromagnetic tracking capability, then device localization accuracy is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device incorporates an identification antenna that serves multiple functions: identifying the specific device and enabling electromagnetic tracking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking components, potentially lowering overall device cost while maintaining localization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical device contains its own identification antenna and can be tracked using the existing imaging system's electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for external tracking attachments or additional expensive tracking infrastructure.
3Productivity
If the system tracks multiple medical devices simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but signal measurement reliability deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system receives electromagnetic signals from multiple devices and uses signal processing algorithms to distinguish between different devices based on their unique identification antennas. The system continuously processes feedback signals to maintain accurate tracking of multiple devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each medical device has a unique identification antenna with specific electromagnetic characteristics, allowing the system to differentiate between devices. This local quality distinction enables reliable simultaneous tracking by treating each device's signal uniquely.
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 precise and reliable localization of the endoscopic capsule in real-time, adaptable to individual patient anatomy, reducing human error and environmental interference.
Implementation Method 1
a medical device (110) comprising an identification antenna (116)
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic tracking system (103) comprising a plurality of localization antennas (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109)
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for locating a medical device A computer-implemented method for locating a medical device is disclosed. The method comprises analysing a first set of signals received from a medical device at a plurality of receivers and, based at least in part on the analysing, selecting a first subset of receivers from the plurality of receivers, the first subset of receivers comprising at least three receivers. The method further comprises estimating the location of the medical device.