Dual-Modality EM and EP Surgical Navigation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for tracking instruments within a patient often rely on single modalities, which can be limited in accuracy and versatility, especially when dealing with varying tissue impedances and the need for precise localization across different anatomical regions.
Innovation Solution
A dual-modality navigation system combining Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) tracking systems, where a surgical instrument is equipped with multiple tracking sensors to utilize both EM and EP modalities, allowing for registration between the two systems to enhance localization accuracy and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single modality navigation system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of instrument tracking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation systems into a unified dual-modality system. The EM system provides tracking through electromagnetic fields while the EP system uses electrical potential measurements, and both systems track the same instrument simultaneously. This merging of two distinct modalities resolves the contradiction by improving measurement precision through multi-modal data fusion while managing device complexity through integrated system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is designed to perform multiple functions using both EM and EP modalities. The same surgical instrument can be tracked using either modality or both simultaneously, providing universal tracking capability across different tissue types and anatomical regions. This multi-functionality approach improves localization accuracy by allowing the system to select or combine modalities based on specific surgical conditions while maintaining a unified system design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single modality navigation system is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the adaptability to different anatomical environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system dynamically selects and switches between EM and EP modalities based on real-time surgical conditions, particularly tissue impedance characteristics. The system can adapt its tracking modality dynamically during different phases of the surgical procedure, allowing optimal performance across varying anatomical environments while maintaining a unified user interface that preserves ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different physical modalities (EM fields vs. EP measurements) depending on the electrical properties of the tissues being traversed. This parameter change strategy allows the navigation system to adapt to different anatomical environments with varying tissue impedances while presenting a consistent operational interface to the user.
3Measurement precision
If multiple tracking sensors are added to the instrument, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tracking sensors (both EM coils and EP electrodes) are nested together on the same surgical instrument shaft. The EM tracking coils and EP electrodes are integrated in a compact nested arrangement, allowing both modalities to be present on the instrument without significantly increasing its external dimensions or operational complexity. This nested configuration improves tracking accuracy through multi-sensor data fusion while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 dual-modality approach enables more accurate and reliable tracking of surgical instruments within the patient, improving navigation precision and adaptability across different anatomical environments by correlating the navigation domains of both EM and EP systems with image data, thus facilitating more effective surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic localizer to generate an electromagnetic field and an electromagnetic (EM) tracking sensor to detect the electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an electropotential (EP) localizer to generate an electrical field and an EP tracking sensor to detect the electrical field and induce a current in the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more types of navigation or modalities of navigation to navigate a single instrument. The single instrument can be positioned within the patient and tracked. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within a patient.