Electromagnetic Tracking System for Radiation-Free Medical Sensor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems for blood pumps and guidewires within a patient's body rely on X-ray fluoroscopy, which is limited by availability and exposes patients and physicians to high levels of radiation.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system comprising an emitting device, a movable sensor, a first reference sensor, and a controller, which establishes a measurement volume within the patient's body and uses a global coordinate system to detect and display the real-time position of the movable sensor, allowing for precise tracking without radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to track the position of blood pumps and guidewires, then the position can be visualized, but the patient and physician are exposed to high levels of radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray fluoroscopy system with an electromagnetic tracking system using sensors and field generators. The movable sensor detects electromagnetic fields to determine position without mechanical X-ray imaging, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the tracking system and the patient's body. The field mediator allows position detection through the body without direct ionizing radiation interaction, using non-ionizing electromagnetic fields instead
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used for tracking, then real-time position information is obtained, but the system is not available without restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic tracking system serves multiple functions beyond just position tracking, including orientation detection and navigation guidance. The system can be used in various surgical contexts and patient positions, providing universal applicability without the operational restrictions of fluoroscopy
3Ease of operation
If a global coordinate system with reference planes is established, then physician orientation is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically establishes and maintains the global coordinate system and reference planes without requiring manual setup by the physician. The controller autonomously processes sensor data to generate orientation information, reducing operational complexity despite the sophisticated coordinate system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tracking system (10) comprising: an emitting device (12) configured to establish a measurement volume within at least a part of a patients body, the patients body having a median plane, a transverse plane, and a coronal plane; a movable sensor (14) which is movable within the measurement volume; a first reference sensor (16) establishing a global coordinate system within the measurement volume, the global coordinate system having an origin, an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis; and a controller (18). The controller (18) is configured to detect real-time positions of the movable sensor (14) within the global coordinate system, to set the origin of the global coordinate system as an anchor point in relation to the patients body, to span a first reference plane in direction of the x-axis and the z-axis being parallel to the median plane, to span a second reference plane in direction of the y-axis and the z-axis being parallel to the transverse plane, to span a third reference plane in direction of the x-axis and the y-axis being parallel to the coronal plane, and preferably to translate in parallel at least one of the first reference plane, the second reference plane and the third reference plane based on an expected movement path of the movable sensor.