Localized Magnetic Field Generator Asymmetric Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic field-based medical positioning systems face disruptions from magnetic field-disrupting components, leading to inaccurate tracking of medical devices within the body, particularly in environments with moving x-ray sources and c-arms, which cause unpredictable eddy currents and distortions in the magnetic field.
Innovation Solution
A localized magnetic field generator with asymmetric electromagnetic shielding, using layers of magnetically permeable and conductive materials to reduce the magnetic field's strength outside the area of interest and shield it from disrupting components, thereby minimizing eddy currents and maintaining a consistent magnetic field for accurate device tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a magnetic field generator is used for tracking medical devices, then positioning capability is improved, but the magnetic field is disrupted by moving x-ray sources and c-arms causing eddy currents and field distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field generator is divided into multiple independent magnetic transmitters arranged in an array, with each transmitter capable of generating a localized magnetic field. This segmentation allows the system to create multiple discrete field zones that can be independently controlled and shielded, reducing the impact of disruptions from x-ray sources and c-arms on the overall positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetic transmitters and the medical devices. The shield, made of magnetically permeable material, acts as a mediator that channels and contains the magnetic fields, preventing direct interaction with disruptive external fields from x-ray sources and c-arms while maintaining the necessary field strength for accurate tracking.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electromagnetic shielding is added to reduce magnetic field strength outside the area of interest, then field stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field shield is designed with non-uniform thickness and varying magnetically permeable material properties in different regions. The shield is thicker and more permeable in areas requiring stronger field containment, and thinner where less shielding is needed. This local variation in shield properties allows effective field stabilization with reduced overall complexity compared to a uniform shield design.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field shield is constructed from composite materials with different magnetically permeable properties layered or combined together. This composite structure allows the shield to provide differential field containment in different zones, achieving stable magnetic field control while managing the complexity through material composition rather than purely geometric solutions.
3Measurement precision
If calibration processes are used to compensate for magnetic field disruptions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field shield is pre-configured and pre-positioned during system installation to automatically compensate for expected magnetic field disruptions from x-ray sources and c-arms. By preparing the shielding structure in advance with the correct geometry and material properties, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming calibration processes during subsequent installation, achieving accurate coordinate determination without requiring manual calibration adjustments.
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 eddy currents and shifts in coordinate determination, providing a more accurate and stable magnetic navigation field for medical devices, reducing installation time and complexity by eliminating the need for calibration processes.
Implementation Method 1
A localized magnetic field generator with asymmetric electromagnetic shielding, using layers of magnetically permeable and conductive materials to reduce the magnetic field's strength outside the area of interest
Implementation Method 2
using layers of magnetically permeable and conductive materials to reduce the magnetic field's strength outside the area of interest and shield it from disrupting components
Implementation Method 3
shield it from disrupting components, thereby minimizing eddy currents and maintaining a consistent magnetic field for accurate device tracking
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object can include a localized magnetic field generator that is configured to generate a magnetic field and to control the magnetic field in an area of interest and configured to control the magnetic field in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component. The object can be located in the area of interest.