ENT Tool Tracking with Multi-Sensor Discrepancy Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical procedures, such as ENT procedures, face challenges in accurately tracking medical devices like ENT tools within the patient's head due to distortions in magnetic fields caused by metallic objects, which degrade tracking accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system with multiple position sensors coupled along a longitudinal axis of the ENT tool, where a processor compares known relative positions with estimated positions, detects discrepancies, and corrects distorted measurements using signals from other sensors to maintain tracking accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic field-based tracking is used to track medical devices in the patient body, then tracking capability is provided, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to magnetic field distortions caused by metallic objects
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple position sensors (at least three) distributed along the ENT tool, each independently measuring magnetic field parameters. This segmentation allows the system to detect and identify distorted measurements from individual sensors, isolating the impact of metallic objects to specific sensor readings rather than compromising the entire tracking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares the relative positions of multiple sensors against known geometric relationships, providing real-time feedback on measurement consistency. When discrepancies are detected, the system can identify distorted measurements and correct them by using data from unaffected sensors, maintaining tracking accuracy despite magnetic field distortions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple position sensors are used to correct distorted measurements, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking function across multiple sensors, with each sensor providing redundant measurement data. This segmentation enables the processor to compare measurements and identify distortions without requiring complex individual sensor designs, as the complexity is distributed and managed through algorithmic processing rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from relying on single-sensor position data to utilizing multiple sensor parameters (positions and orientations) to derive the same tracking information. By processing geometric relationships between multiple sensors, the system can correct distorted measurements through mathematical relationships rather than requiring more complex individual sensor components.
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
This approach enables accurate tracking of ENT tools even in the presence of distorted magnetic fields, allowing for minimally invasive procedures with multiple tools without compromising accuracy, and adapts to time-varying conditions and interference.
Implementation Method 1
a field sensor associated with the object to measure field strengths of magnetic fields generated by two or more field generators
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to hold values indicative of known relative positions of multiple position sensors of a position tracking system that are coupled to a medical device. The processor is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of estimated positions of the position sensors, as measured by the position tracking system, and to initiate a responsive action in response to detecting a discrepancy between the known relative positions and the estimated positions.