Hybrid Bronchoscopy Probe for Real-Time Lesion Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bronchoscopy systems struggle to accurately visualize and navigate to lesions outside the airways due to reliance on pre-operative imaging, which lacks real-time accuracy, making it difficult to perform surgical procedures or diagnostic operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bronchoscope integrating an electromagnetic sensor, direct imaging device, and ultrasound imaging to provide hybrid vision, allowing for improved real-time localization of lesions outside the airways by combining EM sensor navigation with ultrasound scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-operative imaging (CT) is used to identify lesions and guide bronchoscope navigation, then anatomical location information can be obtained, but real-time accuracy of lesion location relative to the bronchoscope is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electromagnetic sensor navigation with ultrasound imaging into a hybrid system. The EM sensor provides real-time positional tracking of the bronchoscope, while the ultrasound transducer provides real-time imaging of lesions outside the airways. This merging of two different navigation approaches (EM tracking and ultrasound imaging) creates a hybrid system that overcomes the limitations of using either approach alone, providing both real-time position feedback and real-time lesion visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasound transducer acts as an intermediary between the bronchoscope and lesions outside the airways. Since the camera cannot directly visualize extraluminal lesions, the ultrasound transducer mediates this visualization by scanning through the airway wall to detect and image the target lesion, providing real-time feedback that bridges the gap between the bronchoscope position and the hidden target.
2Loss of information
If a bronchoscope with direct visualization system is used, then lesions within the airways can be visualized, but lesions outside the airways remain invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The bronchoscope is designed with multi-functionality to handle both intraluminal and extraluminal lesions. It integrates a camera for visualizing lesions within the airways, an electromagnetic sensor for real-time positional tracking, and an ultrasound transducer for visualizing lesions outside the airways. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple imaging functions that would otherwise require separate devices, making the system adaptable to different lesion locations and types.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging capability is segmented into different modalities, each handling specific scenarios: the camera handles intraluminal visualization, the EM sensor handles positional navigation, and the ultrasound transducer handles extraluminal lesion detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic sensor and pre-operative image are used for navigation, then bronchoscope position can be tracked, but accurate real-time location of lesion relative to bronchoscope cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges electromagnetic sensor tracking with ultrasound imaging to create a hybrid navigation system. The EM sensor provides reliable real-time positional tracking of the bronchoscope, while the ultrasound transducer provides accurate real-time imaging of the lesion's position relative to the bronchoscope. By combining these two modalities, the system achieves both reliable navigation and precise lesion localization that neither modality could achieve alone.
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 precise, real-time visualization and navigation to lesions outside the airways, enhancing the accuracy of surgical and diagnostic procedures in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an ultrasound probe into the bronchoscope may allow a physician to scan an area of interest and confirm the actual location of the lesion relative to the bronchoscope with improved accuracy
Implementation Method 2
a bronchoscopy system equipped with sensors such as electromagnetic (EM) three-dimensional (3D) sensors may register itself to the CT image or the patient anatomy
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vision device is provided. The hybrid vision device comprises: an articulating elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and a positional sensor is located at the distal end of the articulating elongate member; and a multimodal sensing probe removably coupled to the articulating elongate member, and the multimodal sensing probe comprises an ultrasound transducer and a camera located at a distal portion of the multimodal sensing probe.