Electromagnetic Insertion Guidance With Anatomic Landmark Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic positioning guidance systems for enteral feeding tubes struggle with reliability due to subject movement and require calibration, leading to potential misplacement and complications.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic positioning guidance system that aligns with anatomic landmarks using an electromagnetic field generator, sensors, and processing circuitry to provide real-time tracking, independent of subject movement, by generating an anatomic map and displaying the insertion device's path relative to landmarks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electromagnetic positioning guidance systems are used for enteral feeding tube insertion, then real-time tracking capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to subject movement and bed movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to subject movement and bed movement by continuously tracking the electromagnetic field changes and updating the positioning information in real-time, allowing the system to maintain reliability in a dynamic environment rather than requiring a static setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically compensating for environmental changes and subject movement through continuous electromagnetic field monitoring, eliminating the need for manual recalibration during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If calibration is performed to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the procedure time increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration actions automatically during the setup phase, establishing the baseline electromagnetic field map before the insertion procedure begins, so that no additional calibration time is needed during the actual procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically adjusting to environmental conditions and subject positioning without requiring manual calibration procedures, thereby maintaining high positioning accuracy while minimizing procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If electromagnetic field strength is increased to improve signal detection, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential tissue heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection accuracyVSAvoidtissue heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic or pulsed electromagnetic fields rather than continuous high-strength fields, allowing sufficient signal detection while providing intervals that prevent excessive tissue heating and energy accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts electromagnetic field parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration to optimize signal detection accuracy while maintaining field strength within safe thermal limits to prevent tissue heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures accurate and reliable placement of enteral feeding tubes by providing real-time guidance, reducing misplacement and complications, and facilitating successful medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic field generator configured to be positioned externally to a subject's torso, the electromagnetic field generator configured to generate an electromagnetic field covering a treatment area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an insertion device comprising an electromagnetic sensor, the electromagnetic sensor configured to receive signals indicative of the electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12402953B2Insertion device positioning guidance system and method

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 ENVUE MEDICAL HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

There is provided herein a guidance system for positioning an insertion device comprising: an electromagnetic field generator configured to generate an electromagnetic field covering a treatment area, an insertion device comprising an electromagnetic sensor, the electromagnetic sensor configured to receive signals indicative of the electromagnetic field, and a processing circuitry configured to: load an X-ray, CT, ultrasound or MRI image of the subject's chest, mark a location of a first and a second anatomic landmarks on the subject's torso using a registration sensor and obtaining a subject coordinate system based thereon, identify the location of the first and the second anatomic landmarks on the loaded X-ray, CT, ultrasound or MRI image of the subject's chest; aligning the subject coordinate system with the loaded X-ray, CT, ultrasound or MRI image, and display, on the image, a path of the insertion device insertion with respect to the first and the second anatomic locations; wherein the path is generated according to changes in the strength of the electromagnetic field sensed by the tip sensor's during the insertion of the insertion device.