Magnetic Interlock for Medical Instrument Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In real-time monitoring of interstitial therapies, such as ablative therapies, accurately determining the angle and position of sensors relative to energy sources is crucial for precise data collection, but existing methods struggle to maintain a consistent spatial relationship between these components.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an interlock component with magnets and a handle to maintain a desired spatial relationship between medical devices, including a coupling mechanism with magnetic engagement to ensure accurate alignment and positioning of sensors relative to energy sources, providing visual and tactile feedback for correct orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If point source sensors are used to monitor interstitial energy sources, then measurement precision is improved, but the ability to maintain consistent spatial relationship between sensors and energy sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: an interlock component with magnets that attaches to the energy source needle, and a sensor holder with corresponding magnets that holds the sensor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining a fixed spatial relationship through magnetic coupling, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and spatial consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock component acts as an intermediary between the energy source needle and the sensor holder. It provides a stable mounting interface with magnetic coupling that maintains a known, fixed spatial relationship, enabling precise sensor measurements while ensuring consistent positioning relative to the energy source.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spatial relationship between sensors and energy sources is fixed using mechanical means, then spatial stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coupling mechanisms with a simpler magnetic coupling system. The magnets in the interlock component and sensor holder create a secure, fixed spatial relationship through magnetic attraction alone, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fasteners, screws, or alignment mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining spatial stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter to achieve secure coupling. By selecting appropriate magnet strengths and configurations, the desired spatial relationship is maintained without requiring complex mechanical structures, simplifying the overall device design while ensuring stable positioning.
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 enables precise and consistent spatial alignment between medical instruments, enhancing the accuracy of data collection during interstitial therapies by ensuring the desired spatial relationship between energy sources and sensors, thereby improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a second magnet positioned adjacent to the retaining feature, wherein the second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fixing a spatial relationship between medical instruments can include an interlock component including a body defining an aperture to receive and retain a first needle, a head connected to the body and defining a slot extending parallel to the aperture, and a first magnet at least partially surrounded by the head and disposed between the aperture and the slot. The system can also include a handle to receive and retain a second needle, the handle defining a retaining feature for receiving a portion of the interlock component and including a second magnet positioned adjacent to the retaining feature. The second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature such that the interlock component is oriented in a desired spatial relationship relative to the handle.