Medical Instrument Manipulation Guidance via Real-Time Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy and fidelity of spatial data gathered by medical instruments, such as ultrasound probes, can be compromised by improper physical manipulation, particularly by untrained users who may not execute the correct trajectory, speed, or pauses during procedures, leading to suboptimal data quality.
Innovation Solution
A computing controller provides real-time feedback to users through guidance elements like pico-projectors, haptic devices, or augmented reality, analyzing spatial data against templates to direct the instrument's manipulation, ensuring accurate data collection by indicating necessary movements and adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time feedback and guidance systems are implemented to improve data collection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the instrument's position, orientation, and manipulation actions in real-time, compares them against optimal trajectories and procedures, and provides immediate feedback through visual, auditory, or haptic signals to guide the operator toward correct manipulation techniques, thereby improving spatial data accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A computing controller acts as an intermediary between the operator and the instrument, processing sensor data, determining optimal manipulation strategies, and translating complex guidance information into simplified real-time feedback signals that the operator can easily interpret and act upon
2Reliability
If automated analysis and real-time guidance are added to improve operational reliability, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors its own operation, detects deviations from optimal procedures, and self-corrects by providing guidance signals to the operator, reducing the need for external supervision and improving procedural reliability through autonomous error detection and correction
Solution Approach 2:
Manual judgment and experience-based decision-making are replaced with automated computational analysis of sensor data, using algorithms to determine optimal manipulation strategies and provide evidence-based guidance, thereby improving reliability through consistent, objective decision-making
3Ease of operation
If comprehensive real-time guidance is provided to improve ease of operation for untrained users, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system breaks down complex manipulation tasks into discrete, manageable segments or steps, providing targeted feedback for each specific action required, which simplifies the learning curve for untrained users while maintaining systematic comprehensiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators such as color-coded feedback signals (e.g., green for correct positioning, yellow for approaching boundaries, red for incorrect orientation) to communicate instrument status and guidance information intuitively, making the system easier to operate without requiring complex interpretation
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure relate to directing the movement of instrument such as medical devices. For example, data regarding an ongoing physical of an instrument that is configured to gather spatial data via physical manipulation of the instrument for a procedure is received. A current orientation of the instrument is determined. Additional spatial data to gather for the procedure is determined. A subsequent physical manipulation on how to physically maneuver the instrument relative to the current orientation to gather the additional spatial data is determined. Real-time feedback on how to execute the subsequent physical manipulation is provided.