Instrument Location Identification via Characteristic Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the location of instruments within a patient, such as during ablation procedures, often require additional equipment and specialized training, and can be invasive or traumatic, especially when relying on navigation instruments or open procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize pre-acquired characteristic measurements from specific locations within a patient to create a database, allowing for the identification of instrument location through matching training and procedure fingerprints, using sensors like accelerometers and pressure sensors, and imaging data, without the need for extensive navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If navigation instruments and procedures are used to determine instrument location, then location identification capability is improved, but device complexity and capital equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential location identification function from complex navigation systems by using only simple sensors (accelerometers, pressure sensors) already present on the instrument, eliminating the need for dedicated navigation equipment while maintaining location determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a database of characteristic patterns (fingerprints) from training measurements that represents anatomical locations, allowing the system to identify locations by matching procedure measurements against these stored patterns rather than using complex real-time navigation
2Measurement precision
If open procedures are used for position determination, then direct visualization and location accuracy are improved, but patient trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of open surgical procedures with direct visualization using sensor-based measurements (acceleration, pressure) and pattern matching algorithms to determine instrument location, eliminating the need for traumatic incisions while maintaining location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument itself performs location determination by using its own sensors to measure characteristics and match them against the database, eliminating the need for separate navigation systems or open procedures, thereby reducing patient trauma
3Measurement precision
If specialized training is required for navigation instruments, then location determination capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic pattern matching between procedure measurements and the training database, eliminating the need for operators to manually interpret complex navigation data or have specialized training in navigation instrument operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback by comparing real-time sensor measurements against the database and identifying the most likely anatomical location, simplifying the operator's task to monitoring and interpretation rather than complex manual navigation
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 and non-invasive location identification of instruments within the patient, reducing procedural complexity and trauma, by using a database of characteristic patterns to determine the probability of match between training and procedure measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The characteristic can be determined with an accelerometer.
Implementation Method 2
The characteristic can be determined with a pressure sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to determine the location of an instrument within a patient can be based upon the measuring of a characteristic within the patient and matching the currently measured characteristic with a previously measured characteristic. If the measurements of a characteristic matches in an appropriate or selected manner then a location match can be determined. The characteristic can be any appropriate characteristic and measured in any appropriate way.