Electromagnetic Transmitters for Continuous MCG Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetocardiography (MCG) systems face challenges in accurately tracking patient position during scans due to patient movement, leading to degraded data quality and signal-to-noise ratio, while electrocardiography (ECG) systems lack reliable methods for electrode localization, affecting diagnosis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid MCG-ECG system that uses electromagnetic transmitters on ECG electrodes to track patient position and electrode locations, combining MCG and ECG data for improved signal denoising and source localization, enabling continuous monitoring in unshielded environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MCG device is positioned close to patient for better signal quality, then measurement precision is improved, but patient movement and breathing cause position changes that degrade data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously tracks the position of electromagnetic transmitters on the patient's body using MCG sensor arrays and feeds this position information back to the processing system. This feedback enables real-time correction of position-related artifacts in the MCG data, maintaining measurement precision despite patient movement or breathing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning methods (such as manual distance measurement or physical fixation) with electromagnetic field-based tracking. Electromagnetic transmitters embedded in or on the patient's body emit signals that are detected by the MCG sensor array, enabling non-contact, continuous position monitoring without mechanical constraints.
2Device complexity
If MCG measurements are performed without magnetic shielding to reduce cost and complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but environmental magnetic interference degrades signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electromagnetic transmitters as intermediary elements that generate known magnetic field patterns. These transmitters serve as reference markers that allow the system to distinguish between genuine cardiac magnetic signals and environmental noise through pattern recognition and signal processing, enabling accurate measurements without magnetic shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic transmitters serve multiple functions: they act as position markers for tracking patient movement, reference sources for calibrating the magnetic field measurement system, and enables the system to operate in unshielded environments. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shielding mechanisms while maintaining measurement quality.
3Ease of operation
If ECG electrodes are placed manually by technician, then ease of operation is improved, but electrode location accuracy degrades due to human error and electrode movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service electrode placement by incorporating electromagnetic transmitters directly with the ECG electrodes. The transmitters automatically track their own positions through the MCG sensor array, eliminating the need for manual positioning verification by technicians. The system autonomously monitors and corrects for electrode displacement throughout the measurement period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual electrode placement verification with automated electromagnetic tracking. Instead of relying on technician expertise and physical markers, the system uses electromagnetic fields to continuously monitor and record electrode positions, providing precise location data that is updated in real-time during the ECG measurement.
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
Enhances MCG data quality by correcting artifacts and improving signal-to-noise ratio, while accurately localizing ECG electrodes, facilitating better cardiac activity interpretation and reducing false diagnoses.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic transmitters on ECG electrodes to track patient position
Implementation Method 2
MCG system measures the magnetic field data from the heart and the magnetic field(s) generated from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining positional information of a target organ of a human subject during a biomagnetic field scan comprises detecting, by a plurality of magnetometers, first biomagnetic field signals from at least a portion of the human subject's organ and second magnetic field signals from an electromagnetic transmitter positioned on a predetermined position of the human subject. The plurality of magnetometers have a known position during the biomagnetic field scan. The method includes determining a time-varying spatial relationship between the electromagnetic transmitter and the plurality of magnetometers based on the detected second magnetic field signals. The method further includes correcting artifacts in the detected first biomagnetic signals in accordance with the determined spatial relationship.