Cochlear Implant Localization via EM and EP Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Certain medical instruments, such as cochlear implants, are not trackable with existing navigation systems, making it difficult to determine their final location during procedures, especially when they are not associated with tracking devices, and require direct inspection or complex hardware association.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that combines Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) tracking modalities to track instruments within a patient, allowing for registration of both systems to provide precise location determination, using EM tracking for rigid instruments and EP tracking for flexible or implanted devices like cochlear implants, with additional imaging systems for anatomical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tracking device is associated with an instrument, then the location of the instrument can be determined, but the instrument construction is modified and direct inspection is no longer needed
Solution Approach 1:
The cochlear implant electrodes serve dual purposes: their primary function for auditory stimulation and a secondary function as tracking devices for navigation systems. By making the electrodes multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate tracking devices while maintaining precise location determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cochlear implant itself provides the tracking capability through its inherent electrodes, without requiring external or additional tracking hardware. The implant serves its own localization needs by utilizing its existing structural components (electrodes) for both stimulation and tracking functions.
2Device complexity
If direct inspection is used to determine instrument location, then no tracking device is needed, but the procedure requires manual verification and is less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes of the cochlear implant are designed to perform both their primary function of electrical stimulation and a secondary function of serving as tracking devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise automated location determination without adding external tracking hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while improving measurement precision over manual inspection.
3Measurement precision
If a tracking device is integrated with the implant, then continuous tracking is available, but the implant construction is permanently modified
Solution Approach 1:
The cochlear implant utilizes its own existing electrodes to provide tracking functionality, eliminating the need for separate tracking devices or permanent modifications to the implant structure. The electrodes already present in the implant serve dual purposes, allowing continuous tracking without altering the implant's manufacturing process or structural design.
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 tracking and registration of medical instruments during procedures, allowing for accurate positioning and reduced need for direct inspection, maintaining the standard construction of implants and facilitating flexible implantation without permanent tracking device integration.
Implementation Method 1
A first tracking system can include an Electromagnetic (EM) tracking system that can be used to determine a location of the cochlear implant during the procedure
Implementation Method 2
both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) tracking systems can be used to navigate an instrument within a patient
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide one or more navigation modalities to track a position and navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume. The two navigation systems may be used separately to selectively individually navigate the single instrument in the volume. Disclosed are also systems and processes to determine a shape of the single instrument either alone or in combination with the position of the instrument. The instrument may be navigated with the addition of tracking devices or with native or inherent portions of the instrument.