Endoluminal Tracking with Therapy Activation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoluminal device guidance methods rely heavily on X-ray fluoroscopy, leading to high radiation exposure for patients and clinicians, and require large volumes of contrast agents, which are harmful to the kidneys, while accurately positioning interventional devices within a body lumen remains challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising flexible elongate instruments with imaging markers and sensors for position detection, including a location information sensor and a treatment activation sensor, uses a processor to establish a reference coordinate system, correlating therapeutic delivery information with activation energy to determine precise treatment positions within the body lumen, reducing reliance on real-time X-ray imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray fluoroscopy with contrast injection is used to guide device positioning, then real-time visualization of vessel lumen and device movement is achieved, but radiation exposure to patients and clinicians increases and contrast agents are delivered in large volumes which are harmful to the kidneys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate registration system that bridges diagnostic imaging and therapeutic device positioning without requiring continuous X-ray fluoroscopy. The system uses markers and sensors to establish a reference framework that allows precise device positioning based on pre-procedural diagnostic images, eliminating the need for real-time contrast injection and reducing radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing diagnostic imaging and coordinate system establishment before the therapeutic procedure. The reference coordinate system is built using diagnostic scans and markers prior to device insertion, allowing the actual intervention to proceed without repeated X-ray exposure and contrast administration, thus reducing harmful effects while preserving positioning precision
2Ease of operation
If real-time fluoroscopic imaging is used to continuously visualize device movement, then live display of device position is achieved, but radiation exposure and contrast agent delivery increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary sensor-based tracking system that replaces continuous fluoroscopic imaging. Sensors detect marker positions and transmit data to establish a real-time coordinate system without requiring X-rays, enabling live device visualization and guidance while eliminating radiation and contrast agent exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/X-ray based fluoroscopic imaging system with an optical or electromagnetic sensor-based tracking system. The sensor detects markers and provides real-time position information through electronic signals, replacing the harmful physical process of X-ray radiation with a non-ionizing detection mechanism, thus maintaining real-time guidance capability while eliminating radiation exposure
3Productivity
If diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are performed separately, then each procedure can be optimized, but accurate correlation of treatment delivery with anatomical data becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures by integrating coordinate registration markers and sensors into the same procedural workflow. The reference coordinate system is established during the diagnostic phase and continuously maintained during the therapeutic intervention, ensuring accurate spatial correlation between anatomical data and treatment delivery without requiring separate procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor device position relative to the reference coordinate system during the procedure. This real-time feedback allows the system to maintain accurate spatial correlation between diagnostic imaging and therapeutic delivery, enabling precise treatment placement while keeping both procedures integrated and efficient
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that can enable improved detection of a position within a body lumen at which a therapy is delivered and improved labelling of patient data sets. A system includes a first flexible elongate instrument comprising a plurality of imaging markers and a second flexible elongate instrument, comprising a therapeutic delivery device, configured for relative movement with respect to the first instrument. A treatment activation sensor is included to detect an activation energy associated with delivery of a therapy by the therapeutic delivery device. The system further includes a processor configured to establish a reference coordinate system based on the plurality of imaging markers, receive therapeutic delivery information at a plurality of locations in the body lumen from a location information sensor, and correlate the therapeutic delivery information with the detected activation energy to determine a position of the delivered therapy based on the reference coordinate system.