Imaging Probe Position Tracking via Magnetic Field Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position and orientation of magnetic components relative to magnetometric detectors in medical procedures are limited by the need for initial calibration, reliance on stationary components, and interference from terrestrial magnetic fields, making them impractical for dynamic medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method that eliminates the need for initial calibration by combining simultaneous measurements to directly derive the position and orientation of magnetic components, allowing for simultaneous movement of the detector and component, and uses inertial measurement units to account for secondary magnetic fields, eliminating the requirement for physical contact with a reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If initial calibration is performed to compensate for terrestrial magnetic field, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system cannot be moved after calibration and requires separate calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static calibration approach to a dynamic self-calibration approach. The detector can now be moved freely during the procedure, and the self-calibration process automatically adapts to the new position by using the magnetic component as a reference point, eliminating the constraint that the detector must remain stationary after calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration automatically during the medical procedure without requiring separate calibration steps or external reference objects. The magnetic component itself serves as the calibration reference, and the detector automatically compensates for terrestrial magnetic field effects through computational processing of magnetic field measurements.
2Reliability
If separate calibration procedures are used to account for terrestrial magnetic field, then measurement reliability is improved, but the process complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is merged with the actual measurement process. Instead of performing separate calibration and measurement steps, the system continuously performs self-calibration during the measurement process by utilizing the magnetic component as a reference, thereby eliminating redundant calibration procedures and reducing overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary self-calibration automatically before actual position measurements are taken, using the magnetic component as a reference point. This preliminary action establishes the baseline for compensating terrestrial magnetic field effects, ensuring measurement reliability without requiring manual intervention or separate calibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If traditional electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then position tracking is achieved, but the systems are bulky and require physical contact with reference objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical reference objects and physical contact requirements with a magnetic field-based reference system. The magnetic component embedded in the medical device serves as the reference, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical fixtures or physical contact with external reference objects, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If multiple separate measurements are taken to determine position and orientation, then accuracy is improved, but the need for separate estimates of probe and component positions increases error potential
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the determination of probe position, probe orientation, and medical device position into a single integrated measurement process. By measuring the magnetic field at multiple locations within the detector and processing these measurements together, the system directly calculates all position and orientation parameters simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate estimates and preventing error accumulation.
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 reduces errors and simplifies the process by eliminating the need for separate estimates of probe and component positions, enabling precise tracking of magnetic components during dynamic medical procedures without the need for initial calibration or physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetometric detector for detecting position and/or orientation information of the magnetic component
Implementation Method 2
uses inertial measurement units to account for secondary magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining information about the position and/or orientation of a magnetic component relatively to a magnetometric detector, the magnetic component and the magnetometric detector being moveable independently from each other relatively to a static secondary magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in the presence of the combination of both the magnetic field of the magnetic component and the static secondary magnetic field essentially simultaneously the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic field at at least a first position and a second position spatially associated with the magnetometric detector, the second position being distanced from the first position; and combining the results of the measurements to computationally eliminate the effect of the secondary magnetic field and derive the information about the position and/or orientation of the magnetic component.