Feeding Tube Electromagnetic Sensor MRI Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of electromagnetic positioning guidance systems for feeding tubes is compromised in dynamic patient environments, such as during coughing or movement, leading to potential misplacement and complications, and existing sensors require removal before MRI procedures due to RF-induced heating.
Innovation Solution
A passive electromagnetic sensor integrated into the feeding tube, which does not transmit a field, allowing for a larger external field generation, reducing sensitivity to patient movement and enabling reliable real-time monitoring, and a flexible design with low RF-induced heating, allowing for safe use during MRI without removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromagnetic sensor is integrated into the feeding tube for real-time positioning monitoring, then the reliability of tube position tracking is improved, but the sensor generates RF-induced heating during MRI procedures causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic sensor from the feeding tube, using an external electromagnetic field generator instead of an integrated sensor. This removes the harmful RF-induced heating source while maintaining positioning capability through external field interaction with the tube
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the positioning system and the feeding tube. The field acts as a mediator that enables sensorless positioning without requiring direct electromagnetic components within the tube, thus avoiding MRI compatibility issues
2Reliability
If a passive electromagnetic sensor is used with an external field generator, then the electromagnetic field coverage is increased and sensitivity to patient movement is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external electromagnetic field generator serves multiple functions: it generates the electromagnetic field for positioning, provides field coverage over a large area, and acts as the sensing mechanism itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing system complexity while improving reliability
3Loss of time
If the feeding tube includes an integrated electromagnetic sensor, then real-time position monitoring is enabled, but the sensor must be removed before MRI procedures causing patient discomfort and potential misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electromagnetic sensor from the feeding tube entirely, using external field generation instead. This eliminates the need for sensor removal and reinsertion before MRI procedures, saving time and maintaining tube position confirmation capability through sensorless electromagnetic tracking
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
The solution provides reliable real-time tracking and positioning of feeding tubes, reduces the risk of incorrect insertion, and allows for safe MRI procedures without sensor removal, enhancing patient and caregiver convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a passive electromagnetic sensor at its distal tip, which sensor enables monitoring of the feeding tube position and/or path, when subject to an electromagnetic field generator, external to the patient's body
Implementation Method 2
a field generator external to the patient, thus enabling generating a larger field which is less sensitive to movement
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided feeding tubes including an electromagnetic sensor including a sensor body comprising a core positioned at a distal end of the sensor lumen, and a wire extending along the length of the feeding tube, wherein an RF induced heating of the feeding tube in an MRI environment is below 5 degrees.