Orthogonally Isolated Exciter for Precise Magnetic Tag Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical procedures for tissue localization, such as wire localization in breast tumor surgery and pulmonary nodule resection, are cumbersome, time-consuming, and unpleasant for patients, often involving multiple imaging steps and potential tissue damage due to lack of precise guidance.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a remote activating device with exciter coils generating a magnetic field in multiple directions to activate a tag, and witness coils detecting the tag's signal, allowing precise localization with minimal tissue trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wire localization is used for breast tumor surgery, then localization accuracy is improved, but procedural time and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire localization system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of physically inserting a wire through the breast tissue to mark the tumor location, the invention uses exciter coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with a tag at the target site, enabling wireless, non-invasive localization that eliminates the time-consuming wire insertion and positioning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic tag as an intermediary element between the exciter coils and the detection system. The tag is placed at the tumor site and responds to magnetic field excitation, allowing indirect detection of the target location without requiring direct mechanical contact or wire insertion into the tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If wire localization is used for breast tumor surgery, then localization accuracy is improved, but patient discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidpatient discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire localization system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of physically inserting a wire through the breast tissue to mark the tumor location, the invention uses exciter coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with a tag at the target site, enabling wireless, non-invasive localization that eliminates the time-consuming wire insertion and positioning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic tag at the target site self-responds to the excitation magnetic field by generating a detectable signal. This eliminates the need for external wires or mechanical markers that cause patient discomfort, as the localization is achieved through the tag's inherent magnetic properties and its interaction with the exciter coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple imaging steps are used for localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the excitation and detection functions into a single integrated system. The exciter coils generate magnetic fields that both excite the tag and enable its detection, eliminating the need for separate imaging modalities (such as mammography, ultrasound, or CT scans) that are currently required for wire localization and verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field-based system serves multiple functions: it localizes the target, verifies tag placement, and guides surgical intervention all through a single modality. This multi-functional approach replaces the current workflow that requires multiple different imaging steps and devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If percutaneous biopsy is performed for lesion identification, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but tissue trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtissue trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical biopsy procedures with a magnetic field-based detection system. Instead of physically removing or puncturing tissue samples for analysis, the invention uses exciter coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with a tag at the target site, enabling non-invasive identification and localization of lesions that maintains diagnostic accuracy without causing tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate and efficient tissue localization with reduced procedural time and patient discomfort by providing precise guidance for surgical interventions.

Implementation Method 1

A system comprising a remote activating device with exciter coils generating a magnetic field in multiple directions to activate a tag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

witness coils detecting the tag's signal, allowing precise localization with minimal tissue trauma

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3803825B1Orthogonally isolated exciter with field steering
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ELUCENT MEDICAL INC
  • EP3803825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3803825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3803825B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for generating exciter signals, for example, to activate a remotely located tag. The systems, devices, assemblies, and methods find use in a variety of application including medical applications for the locating of a tag in a subject.