Delayed Optical Feedback in Medical Image Guidance
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for guiding instruments within the body face challenges in providing real-time position information and accurate tissue type identification, leading to delayed tissue information that can lag behind the instrument's actual location, especially during fast advancements, which can result in inaccurate procedures and increased risk to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines optical tissue signals with medical imaging to create a synchronized image processing unit, displaying the instrument's current position and tissue type information, using a tissue-type determination device and medical imaging device to record and process temporal sequences of images and signals, ensuring up-to-date guidance without the need for extensive exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical spectra are acquired and processed to create tissue information, then tissue type identification is improved, but the displayed data lags behind the actual instrument location
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring optical spectra continuously at high sampling rates and pre-processing the data in real-time. The tissue information is calculated ahead of time based on the most recent optical signal, so when the instrument position updates, the tissue information is already prepared and can be displayed with minimal delay. This preliminary processing reduces the computational burden during the critical display update phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the instrument position and using this information to request updated tissue information only when the position changes. The display system feedbacks the actual display update rate to the data acquisition system, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sampling rate to match the actual need, thereby reducing unnecessary processing delays while maintaining accuracy.
2Productivity
If the instrument is advanced relatively fast, then productivity is improved, but the tissue information lags behind the instrument position
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the data acquisition and processing rate adaptive rather than fixed. When the instrument is advanced quickly, the system dynamically increases the sampling rate of optical signal acquisition and processing. When the instrument is stationary or moving slowly, the sampling rate decreases. This dynamic adjustment ensures that tissue information remains synchronized with instrument position regardless of advancement speed, eliminating information lag while maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If real-time position information is provided, then guidance accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into integrated components. The optical signal processing unit is combined with the position tracking system, and the tissue information generation is integrated with the display system. By merging these functions into a unified architecture rather than separate independent systems, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining real-time position accuracy and tissue information delivery.
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
This system enables precise and real-time navigation and positioning of instruments within the body, reducing the risk of incorrect tissue targeting and repeated procedures by providing current and accurate tissue information, thus enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The optical needle transmits an optical signal to the tissue and receives
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (10) for navigating and positioning an instrument (12, 40, 112) in a body (14). The instrument (12, 40, 112) is detectable by the system(10) and the system (10) displays a view to an operator. The instrument (12, 40, 112) is adapted to identify tissue parameters. The system (10) is adapted to display an image being a combined image of the interior of a body (14) and an indication of the tissue parameter at the appropriate earlier locations. The present invention further relates to a method (44) including determining tissue parameters and displaying the parameters in an image of a body (14). The present invention further relates to a software implemented method (44) for being executed on a digital processor. The present invention further relates to an instrument (12, 40, 112).