EM Tracking Signal Reconstruction for Fast Surgical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic tracking systems face significant errors and signal loss when tracking fast-moving medical objects due to induced potential differences from static magnetic fields, making it difficult to accurately position objects in motion.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with an acceleration mechanism and additional signal processing algorithms that incorporate prior knowledge to reconstruct output signals from fast-moving electromagnetic sensors, using heuristic or statistical models to determine the orientation and location of surgical devices during high-speed movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic induction is used to track medical objects, then location and orientation can be determined, but measurement precision deteriorates when objects move fast due to induced potential differences from static magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the activation of the acceleration mechanism before the fast movement occurs. Signal processing is initiated in advance using dedicated prior information about expected output signals during acceleration, allowing the system to compensate for upcoming signal degradation and maintain measurement precision throughout the high-speed movement phase.
2Productivity
If fast movement of surgical devices is enabled, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to signal loss and positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the output signal of the electromagnetic sensor and comparing it against expected signal patterns stored in memory. When deviations indicating acceleration or signal degradation are detected, the system adjusts its signal processing accordingly, using dedicated prior information to maintain reliable tracking throughout the fast movement and recovery phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by preparing compensation strategies in advance. Dedicated prior information about expected output signals during acceleration is stored in memory before fast movement occurs. This pre-prepared information cushion protects the system against signal loss and positioning errors that would otherwise occur during high-speed surgical procedures.
3Measurement precision
If signal processing with dedicated prior information is implemented, then measurement precision is maintained during fast movement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces complexity by performing preliminary action - storing dedicated prior information about expected output signals during acceleration in memory before fast movement occurs. This pre-computed reference information eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during high-speed movement, maintaining measurement precision through simpler comparison-based signal processing.
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
Enables accurate tracking and positioning of fast-moving surgical devices by reconstructing lost signals, reducing measurement errors and maintaining system performance through user-configurable and adaptive processing methods.
Implementation Method 1
EM spatial measurement systems determine the location of medical objects based on electromagnetic induction. Such medical objects are embedded with sensor coils or other EM sensors. When the medical object is placed inside controlled varying magnetic fields, voltages (potential differences) are induced in the EM sensors
Implementation Method 2
a guidance system having an acceleration mechanism for generating an accelerated movement of a surgical device to drive the surgical device into a tissue of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention proposes an electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology that can be used to track devices with embedded EM sensors over time. If these objects move too fast, tracking signals are lost because of the motion induced potential differences. It is therefore proposed to add a processing mechanism incorporating additional processing algorithms to enable tracking of the EM sensors. An embodiment of the invention is for performing biopsies using a biopsy gun. The additional processing algorithms incorporate dedicated prior information on the expected signal obtained from the embedded EM sensor and are introduced to allow processing the signals from the moving sensors. The prior information can be incorporated in a heuristic or statistical model to process the EM signal.