Automated Imaging Field of View Adjustment via Medical Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual adjustment of imaging systems during medical procedures is time-consuming, imprecise, and increases radiation exposure, as it often requires manual manipulation to focus on relevant tissue regions, leading to prolonged operational times and potential equipment degradation.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that adjusts the field of view of an imaging device based on the position and orientation of a medical device within the patient's body, using tracking subsystems to ensure only relevant tissue is imaged, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of imaging system is used, then imaging can be performed, but procedure time increases and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system automatically tracks the medical device position and adjusts the field of view without manual intervention. The tracking subsystem continuously monitors device location, and the imaging system self-adjusts to maintain optimal viewing of the relevant tissue region, eliminating the need for operator manipulation and reducing overall procedure time while minimizing radiation exposure through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the tracking subsystem to automatically adjust the imaging field of view. Position information from the medical device is continuously fed back to the imaging system, which then autonomously repositions the field of view to follow the device, ensuring continuous imaging of the relevant area without manual adjustment and reducing cumulative radiation exposure
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of imaging system is used, then imaging can be performed, but imaging precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the imaging system with an automated electronic control system. The tracking subsystem electronically monitors device position and the imaging system uses electronic control to adjust the field of view, substituting manual operator skill and physical manipulation with automated electronic feedback and control mechanisms, thereby improving precision and ease of operation
3Reliability
If imaging device is activated continuously, then relevant tissue can be monitored, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the medical device is present in the tracked region. The automated system monitors device position and triggers imaging only when needed, creating a periodic imaging pattern that maintains reliable monitoring of the relevant tissue while significantly reducing total radiation exposure compared to continuous operation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for controlling an imaging procedure are provided. A medical device is introduced within a patient, and a position (e.g., location and/or orientation) of the medical device is detected within the patient relative to a reference position (e.g., a previously detected position of the medical device or a position within a desired path). Imaging of the patient is automatically activated based on the detected relative position, such that the patient is imaged only during relevant times. In one method, instability/stability of the medical device is detected, in which case, the imaging is automatically activated when the medical device is unstable, and deactivated when the medical device is stable. For example, if tissue is to be ablated with the medical device, medical personnel can be made aware of inadvertent movement of the medical device via the image, and can correct any displacement of the medical device from the ablation site.