Medical Distal Tip Assembly with Magnetic Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as bronchoscopes, face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomical passages due to limited position and orientation information provided by imagers, requiring high skill, time, and effort, especially when EM tracking is not utilized.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic field sensor, such as a TMR sensor, on a substrate at the distal tip of a medical device, along with a position sensing system and lighting elements, to provide real-time position and orientation information, enabling EM tracking and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an imager (camera) is used at the distal tip to facilitate navigation, then navigation capability is improved, but position and orientation information about areas past body lumen walls cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (magnetic field sensors, position encoders, imaging elements) into a single integrated distal tip assembly. This merging allows the system to simultaneously obtain both visual information from the imager and precise position/orientation data from the magnetic field sensors, resolving the contradiction by making both information types available together rather than relying on imager alone
2Measurement precision
If position encoders in a motor system are used, then position information is provided, but useful information cannot be obtained for flexible tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position encoders with magnetic field sensors that detect the position and orientation of ferromagnetic elements within the flexible tool. This substitution allows precise measurement of position and orientation without relying on mechanical encoding, making the system adaptable to flexible tools that cannot support traditional motor-driven encoders
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and components are integrated at the distal tip, then position tracking capability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medical device into distinct modular segments: a handle portion, a shaft, and a distal tip assembly. The distal tip assembly itself is further segmented into functional modules (imager, lighting elements, magnetic field sensors, position encoders) that can be independently assembled and tested. This segmentation reduces overall assembly complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through integrated sensing
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
Facilitates efficient navigation by providing accurate real-time position and orientation data, reducing the time, skill, and effort required to reach target anatomy, and allowing for cost-effective manufacturing through integrated assembly of sensing, imaging, and lighting elements.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field sensor mounted to the substrate. The magnetic field sensor may be configured to provide a signal that indicates a position or orientation of the distal tip of the medical device
Implementation Method 2
The MR sensor may be a first MR sensor, and the position sensing system may be configured to measure at least five degrees of freedom
Data Source
AI summary
A medical assembly may comprise: a substrate configured to be disposed in a body at a distal tip of a medical device; and a position sensing system, including a magnetic field sensor mounted to the substrate. The magnetic field sensor may be configured to provide a signal that indicates a position or orientation of the distal tip of the medical device. The medical assembly may further comprise at least one camera mounted to the substrate; and at least one lighting element mounted to the substrate.