Magnetometer Probe Localization of Retained Surgical Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional metal detection devices are not suitable for precise in vivo detection of metallic retained surgical items (RSIs) within a patient's body, are not portable, and struggle with background magnetic field interference, leading to inaccurate detection and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A magnetometer-based metal detection device with a handle, shaft, and distal sensing portion, equipped with proximal and distal gradiometers, and a microcontroller for signal processing, allowing for portable, flexible navigation through tortuous anatomy and effective background interference removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional metal detection devices are used, then detection capability is provided, but measurement precision and ability to determine exact location of metallic RSI is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the magnetic field measurement into multiple spatial points using an array of magnetometers positioned at different locations along the shaft. This segmentation allows the system to measure magnetic field variations at multiple positions simultaneously, enabling precise localization of metallic RSIs while maintaining reliable detection through comparative analysis of the segmented measurements.
2Ease of operation
If traditional metal detection devices are used, then detection function is provided, but portability and ease of rotation for navigation through tortuous anatomy is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a flexible shaft that can dynamically bend and rotate to navigate through tortuous anatomical pathways. This dynamic flexibility allows the distal sensing portion to reach difficult-to-access areas within the patient's body while maintaining portability and ease of operation, without requiring a completely rigid and complex structural design.
3Measurement precision
If traditional metal detection devices are used, then basic detection is provided, but ability to remove background magnetic field interferences is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses reference magnetometers positioned at locations that detect only background magnetic field interference without detecting the metallic RSI. These reference measurements act as intermediaries that allow the system to mathematically subtract or filter out the background interference from the measurements taken by the detection magnetometers, thereby improving signal accuracy without requiring overly complex processing algorithms.
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, portable, and cost-effective detection of metallic objects within a patient's body, reducing radiation exposure and improving detection accuracy by filtering and differentiating magnetic signals.
Implementation Method 1
magnetometer-based metal detector for detecting retained surgical items such as sharps or RFID-tagged sponges, metallic implants, metallic wires, and other objects having a magnetic signature within a corpus of a patient
Implementation Method 2
proximal and distal gradiometers, and a microcontroller for signal processing, allowing for portable, flexible navigation through tortuous anatomy and effective background interference removal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and devices for detecting retained surgical items or other objects having a magnetic signature within a corpus of a patient. The device can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a distal sensing portion positioned distally of the shaft. The distal sensing portion can comprise one or more gradiometers comprising a plurality of magnetometers. The device can further comprise one or more output components configured to generate a user output to alert a user of a detected object.