Medical Device Navigation Using Control Variables and Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for remotely actuable medical devices in a subject's body, such as electromagnetic localization systems, face challenges in accuracy and calibration, especially when there is moving metal in or near the operating region, and often require specialized device construction.
Innovation Solution
A method using information representative of control variables and operative length to determine the location of a medical device, employing computational models to identify and display the device's location, path, and surface characteristics, applicable to magnetically, mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrostrictively, or magnetostrictively navigated devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic localization systems are used to determine device location, then navigation capability is provided, but the system becomes difficult to use when moving metal is present and requires extensive calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic localization systems with a mechanical measurement system. Instead of using electromagnetic fields to track device position, the system uses a mechanical catheter with a known operative length that is advanced through a sheath to a target site. The location is determined by the controlled advancement distance and the device's response to applied forces, eliminating the need for electromagnetic calibration and making the system usable in the presence of moving metal.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic localization systems are used, then device location can be determined, but extensive calibration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration requirement from the localization process by eliminating electromagnetic field dependencies. The system uses a mechanical approach where the catheter's operative length and advancement distance directly determine device location without requiring calibration of electromagnetic sensors or fields. This removes the complex calibration step entirely from the workflow.
3Measurement precision
If specialized device construction is required for localization systems, then accurate tracking is achieved, but device adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal navigation approach that can be applied to various medical devices without requiring specialized construction for localization. The mechanical measurement system works with any catheter or device that can be advanced through a sheath and responds to applied forces, making the navigation method universally applicable across different device types and eliminating the need for device-specific localization modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of navigating a medical device includes determining the location of a medical device at a point in an operating region in a subject's body, the medical device being responsive to at least one control variable to assume a desired configuration includes storing information representative of the at least one control variable being applied to the medical device at the point, and more preferably storing information representative of the at least one control variable and the device length.