Electric Dipole Probe Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures within body organs, such as the heart, face challenges in accurately tracking the location and orientation of probes used for various functions like imaging, biopsy, or ablation, as existing methods lack precision and efficiency in navigating and positioning these probes.

Innovation Solution

A medical apparatus comprising a reference probe with isolated electrodes and a position sensor, along with a supplementary probe, uses alternating currents to generate electric fields, allowing a processor to measure potentials and evaluate the location and orientation of the supplementary probe relative to the reference probe, achieving sub-mm accuracy through dipole field generation and measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional tracking methods are used for probes in body organs, then the procedure can be performed, but the location and orientation tracking lacks precision and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical or electromagnetic tracking systems with an electric dipole field-based measurement system. The reference probe generates electric dipole fields through isolated electrodes, and the supplementary probe measures potentials in these fields to determine its location and orientation with sub-mm accuracy, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tracking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electric dipole fields as an intermediary medium between the reference probe and supplementary probe for tracking purposes. The electric fields serve as a mediator that carries position information from the reference probe to the supplementary probe, enabling precise tracking without direct mechanical or electromagnetic coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electric dipole fields are used for position sensing, then sub-mm accuracy is achieved, but the device complexity increases with multiple isolated electrodes and processors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition sensing accuracyVSAvoidelectrode and processor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference probe is segmented into multiple isolated electrodes (at least three) that can be independently controlled to generate electric dipole fields in different directions. This segmentation allows the system to create a three-dimensional electric field reference frame, enabling accurate position and orientation sensing of the supplementary probe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor performs multiple functions: it controls the isolated electrodes to generate electric dipole fields, measures the potentials at the supplementary probe electrodes, calculates the position and orientation of the supplementary probe, and provides real-time tracking feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables precise tracking of multiple supplementary probes simultaneously, improving the accuracy and efficacy of medical procedures by allowing for real-time location and orientation feedback, enhancing the precision of operations within body cavities.

Implementation Method 1

inject respective alternating currents into the pair of isolated electrodes so as to generate an electrical field therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric dipole field generation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

measure a potential generated at the electrode of the supplementary probe in response to the electrical field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric potential measurement: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

measure the position of the distal end, as a distal end location and a distal end orientation, using electrical signals generated in the at least one coil in response to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10588543B2Position sensing using electric dipole fields

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

AI summary

A medical apparatus, including a reference probe having a flexible insertion tube with a distal end for insertion into a body cavity, a pair of isolated electrodes fixedly attached to the distal end, and a position sensor fixedly located in the distal end. The apparatus also includes a supplementary probe having an electrode fixed thereto. The apparatus further includes a processor, configured to inject respective alternating currents into the pair of isolated electrodes so as to generate an electrical field therefrom, to measure a potential generated at the electrode of the supplementary probe in response to the electrical field, and to evaluate a location of the supplementary probe with respect to the reference probe in response to the measured potential and in response to a position of the distal end indicated by the position sensor.