Magnetic Field Location Pad for Ophthalmic Instrument Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

During minimally invasive ophthalmic procedures, patient tissue can obstruct the view of medical instruments, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately navigate and visualize the instrument's position within the eye.

Innovation Solution

A location pad system comprising field-generators and a flexible frame is attached to facial tissue surrounding the eye, generating magnetic fields to track the position of medical instruments. This system, combined with a position sensor and processor, allows for accurate estimation and visualization of the instrument's position overlaid on anatomical and optical images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a medical instrument is navigated within the patient eye during a minimally invasive procedure, then the instrument can reach the target location, but patient tissue obstructs the view of the medical instrument making it difficult to visualize the instrument's position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidinstrument visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a location pad with field-generators as an intermediary system that creates magnetic fields to track the medical instrument's position. This mediator enables visualization of the instrument's location without requiring direct optical visibility, solving the obstruction problem caused by patient tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct optical visualization (mechanical line-of-sight requirement) with a magnetic field-based tracking system. The field-generators create magnetic fields that interact with sensors on the instrument, substituting the need for visual observation with magnetic field detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a location pad with field-generators is attached to facial tissue surrounding the eye, then the position of medical instruments can be tracked accurately, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidlocation pad structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The location pad serves multiple functions: it positions field-generators to create magnetic fields for tracking, provides a flexible substrate that conforms to facial tissue geometry, and acts as a mounting structure for the tracking system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If field-generators are positioned surrounding the region-of-interest of the patient eye, then the position measurement accuracy is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to tissue obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument position measurementVSAvoidinstrument visualization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that penetrates patient tissue without obstruction. The field-generators create magnetic fields that pass through tissue to interact with sensors on the instrument, enabling detection without line-of-sight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system significantly improves the accuracy and visualization of medical instruments within the eye, enabling precise navigation and enhancing the overall quality of ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

two or more field-generators, which are configured to generate respective magnetic fields at least in a region-of-interest (ROI) of a patient organ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The position sensor is coupled with the medical instrument and is configured, in response to the respective magnetic fields, to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the medical instrument

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12201265B2Location pad surrounding at least part of patient eye for tracking position of a medical instrument

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC

AI summary

A location pad includes two or more field-generators, and a frame. The field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields at least in a region-of-interest (ROI) of a patient organ, for measuring a position of a medical instrument in the ROI. The frame is coupled with tissue that is at least partially surrounding the organ and is configured to fix the two or more field-generators at respective positions surrounding the ROI.