Integrated Console Needle Guidance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle-guidance systems rely on disposable magnetizers and RFID-tag readers, which increase operating costs and landfill waste, necessitating a reduction in both for cost and environmental reasons.
Innovation Solution
A needle-guidance system incorporating a console with a built-in needle magnetizer and RFID-tag reader, utilizing ultrasound-imaging data and magnetic-field data for guiding needle insertions, and including an ultrasound probe with piezoelectric transducers and magnetic sensors to track the needle's position and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable needle magnetizers are used to magnetize needles on demand, then needle guidance functionality is provided, but operating costs and landfill waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the disposable needle magnetizer with the reusable console to form an integrated system. The magnetizer is attached to the console and used to magnetize needles in place, eliminating the need for separate disposable magnetizer units. This merging reduces waste while maintaining the reliability of needle guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The console is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the control unit for ultrasound imaging and the magnetizer for needle magnetization. By making the console universal and capable of both functions, the system eliminates the need for separate disposable magnetizers, reducing waste while maintaining comprehensive needle guidance capability.
2Extent of automation
If disposable RFID-tag readers are used to read needle information, then automated needle selection is enabled, but operating costs and landfill waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the RFID-tag reader into the console, combining the automated needle selection capability with the existing ultrasound imaging system. This integration allows the console to perform both RFID reading and ultrasound imaging functions, eliminating the need for separate disposable RFID readers and reducing landfill waste while maintaining automated needle selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The console is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions including ultrasound imaging, needle magnetization, and RFID tag reading. By making the console multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate disposable RFID readers, reducing waste while maintaining automated needle selection capability.
3Reliability
If separate disposable magnetizers and RFID readers are used, then complete needle guidance functionality is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate disposable magnetizer and RFID reader units with the console into a single integrated system. The magnetizer is attached to the console, and the RFID reader is incorporated into the console, creating a unified device that performs all needle guidance functions. This merging reduces system complexity and the number of separate components while maintaining complete functionality.
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 solution reduces waste and costs by integrating the needle magnetizer and RFID-tag reader into the console, enabling accurate and cost-effective needle guidance with reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The array of piezoelectric transducers is configured to convert reflected ultrasound signals from the patient into an ultrasound-imaging portion of the electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
The array of magnetic sensors is configured to convert magnetic signals from the magnetized needle into a magnetic-field portion of the electrical signals
Implementation Method 3
The needle magnetizer includes a single permanent magnet or a plurality of permanent magnets disposed within a body of the needle magnetizer for magnetizing the needle
Data Source
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AI summary
Needle-guidance systems, components, and methods thereof are disclosed. A needle-guidance system can include a console, a needle magnetizer incorporated into the console, an RFID-tag reader incorporated into the console, and an ultrasound probe. The console can be configured to instantiate a needle-guidance process for guiding insertion of a magnetized needle into a blood vessel of a patient using a combination of ultrasound-imaging data, magnetic-field data, and RFID-tag information for the needle received by the console. The ultrasound probe can be configured to provide to the console electrical signals corresponding to both the ultrasound-imaging data and the magnetic-field data. The ultrasound probe can include an array of piezoelectric transducers and an array of magnetic sensors respectively configured to convert reflected ultrasound signals from the patient into an ultrasound-imaging portion of the electrical signals convert magnetic signals from the magnetized needle into a magnetic-field portion of the electrical signals.