Magnetic Catheter Steering With Alternating Tip Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directing the distal tip of medical devices through tortuous vascular pathways is challenging due to the difficulty in positioning external steering magnets relative to the medical device tip, which cannot be directly observed, and existing tracking systems often interfere with other medical devices like pacemakers.
Innovation Solution
A tracking and steering system that includes a magnetic element on the medical device, a sensor on the patient's external surface to detect magnetic field strength, a steering magnet with an electromagnet, and a console to control the activation of the sensor and magnet, allowing simultaneous tracking and steering while avoiding interference with pacemakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tracking system is used to determine positional information of the medical device distal tip, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the steering magnet interferes with the tracking system functionality or other medical devices such as pacemakers
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between tracking mode (sensor active, magnet inactive) and steering mode (sensor inactive, magnet active) at frequencies between 5 Hz and 50 Hz. This periodic switching eliminates interference between the steering magnet and tracking system or pacemakers while maintaining both functions effectively through temporal separation.
2Loss of information
If the clinician monitors the imaging system display to track the medical device, then positional information is obtained, but the clinician must divide attention between the display and the steering magnet on the patient surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the tracking display and steering magnet control into a single integrated console interface. The console receives positional information from the sensor, processes it, and provides unified control for both tracking and steering operations, allowing the clinician to monitor and control both functions through one display without dividing attention between separate devices.
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 precise steering of medical devices through vascular pathways without diverting clinician attention and reduces interference with other medical devices, enhancing procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor placed on an external surface of a patient and configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnetic element of the medical device
Implementation Method 2
a steering magnet disposed on the external surface of the patient and including an electromagnet configured to attract the magnetic element of the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking and steering system for medical devices comprises a magnetic element attached to a distal portion of the medical device, a sensor on the patient's external surface detecting the magnetic field strength of the medical device's magnetic element, and a steering magnet on the patient's external surface with an electromagnet attracting the medical device's magnetic element. A console with memory and processors receives sensor data to determine the medical device's distal tip position and controls the sensor and steering magnet activation. A display shows an image of the patient with an icon indicating the medical device's location relative to the patient, enhancing medical procedures with real-time tracking and steering capabilities.