Location Pad Frame with Interference Immunity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic position tracking systems used in medical procedures, such as sinuplasty, face interference from metallic parts and electrical signals, which degrade their performance by disrupting the magnetic fields used for position tracking.
Innovation Solution
A location pad with multiple field-generators mounted on a frame, positioned above the patient's head with a mounting fixture that maintains a distance from metallic parts, and incorporates illumination elements like LEDs and a transparent frame with low thermal expansion coefficient to minimize interference and maintain positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the location pad is positioned close to the patient body for accurate tracking, then position measurement precision is improved, but magnetic interference from metallic parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A non-metallic frame structure is introduced as an intermediary between the field-generators and the patient body, providing mechanical support while avoiding magnetic interference. The frame uses materials such as plastic or ceramic that do not interact with the magnetic fields, allowing the system to maintain both positioning accuracy and immunity to interference.
2Ease of operation
If illumination elements are integrated into the location pad to improve visibility, then ease of operation is improved, but magnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
Non-metallic illumination elements such as LEDs are used as intermediaries to provide visibility without interfering with magnetic fields. These elements are integrated into the non-metallic frame structure, allowing the location pad to be easily visible and operable while maintaining immunity to magnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination elements are designed to operate at parameters that do not generate magnetic interference, such as using LED technology instead of incandescent bulbs. This parameter change allows the system to maintain both ease of operation through improved visibility and immunity to magnetic interference.
3Illumination intensity
If the frame uses material with high transparency for better visibility, then illumination intensity is improved, but thermal expansion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Composite materials are used for the frame structure, combining transparent plastic or acrylic with reinforcement elements. These composite materials provide both the transparency needed for illumination visibility and the thermal stability required to resist expansion during sterilization and operation. The composite structure allows the frame to maintain its dimensional integrity while remaining visually transparent.
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
The solution effectively reduces magnetic interference from metallic parts and illumination elements, ensuring accurate position tracking during medical procedures by maintaining the integrity of the magnetic fields and withstanding temperature-related deformations.
Implementation Method 1
The multiple field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields in a region-of-interest of a patient body
Implementation Method 2
each of the illumination elements includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
A location pad includes multiple field-generators, a frame and a mounting fixture. The multiple field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields in a region-of-interest of a patient body, for measuring a position of a medical instrument in the region-of-interest. The frame is configured to fix the multiple field-generators at respective positions surrounding the region-of-interest. The mounting fixture is configured to position the frame above the patient body.