Implanted Magnets for Laparoscopic Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures face challenges in rapidly and accurately locating internal structures or surgical tools within a patient's body during minimally invasive surgeries, as existing imaging devices are costly, time-consuming, and may pose health risks, and often require physical markers that are not readily available in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A surgical mapping system utilizing permanent magnets implanted under tissue to create a magnetic field, detectable by sensors in a mapping device, which indicates proximity through light indicators, allowing for precise location and marking of points of interest without radiation or extensive imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging devices (MRI, x-ray) are used to locate internal structures, then location accuracy is improved, but procedure time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Magnets are implanted under the tissue beforehand at the locations of interest before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary placement allows for rapid real-time localization during surgery without requiring time-consuming imaging procedures, directly resolving the contradiction between location accuracy and procedure time.
2Measurement precision
If imaging devices (MRI, x-ray) are used to locate internal structures, then location accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple permanent magnets as disposable or reusable markers instead of expensive imaging procedures. The magnets are inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective alternative to MRI or x-ray imaging while maintaining location accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If physical markers (cannula, incision) are placed to mark locations, then location marking is achieved, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnets as intermediary markers that can be detected externally by the mapping device without requiring physical penetration or damage to the tissue. The magnets serve as mediators between the internal structures and the external detection system, eliminating the need for damaging physical markers like cannula or incisions.
4Loss of information
If radiation-based imaging is used, then internal structure visualization is improved, but patient health risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiation-based imaging systems with a magnetic field-based detection system. The mapping device uses magnetic sensors to detect the fields generated by the implanted magnets, providing internal structure visualization without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation, thus eliminating health risks associated with radiation.
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 rapid, accurate, and non-invasive location and marking of internal structures, reducing the need for costly imaging and minimizing tissue damage, facilitating precise placement of surgical instruments and meshes during procedures like hernial repairs.
Implementation Method 1
Each magnet produces a magnetic field having a magnitude that is greater closer to the magnet than it is at farther distances from the magnet
Implementation Method 2
A mapping device includes one or more sensors, each configured to detect the magnitude of the magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
The indicator may include one or more light sources, e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), that may increase in brightness as the mapping source gets closer to the emplaced magnets
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for using those devices and systems are disclosed to facilitate mapping and navigation during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. These devices, systems and methods include implantable magnetic devices and sensing devices that facilitate locating the implantable magnetic devices such that a surgeon can accurately locate and place devices at particular points of interest during a medical procedure.