3D Physical Model Navigation for Medical Devices Without X-Ray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical procedures, such as sinuplasty, face challenges in accurately navigating medical devices within complex patient organs due to limited visualization, often requiring hazardous X-ray radiation for verification.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a dummy device and a 3D physical model, where a processor receives CT images to create a virtual 3D model of the patient's organ, and a robot moves a dummy tool in a physical 3D model to mimic the medical device's position, allowing continuous visualization without X-ray radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If X-ray radiation is used for verification of medical device position, then navigation accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to harmful radiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidX-ray radiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a physical 3D model copy of the patient's organ anatomy that can be externally manipulated and visualized. This physical model serves as a safe alternative to X-ray verification, allowing physicians to track and verify medical device positions without exposing patients to harmful radiation. The model is registered with the actual organ geometry to maintain navigation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The physical 3D model acts as an intermediary between the medical device inside the patient's body and the physician's visualization needs. Instead of directly using X-rays to see device positions, the system uses the physical model as a mediator that represents internal anatomy externally, eliminating the need for harmful radiation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If real-time visualization of medical device position is implemented, then procedure time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by creating the physical 3D model of the organ anatomy before the medical procedure begins. This pre-prepared model eliminates the need for complex real-time imaging systems during the procedure, as the visualization framework is already in place. The model can be quickly updated with device positions using simple tracking methods, reducing procedure time without requiring overly complex real-time visualization infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3440988B1Visualizing navigation of a medical device in a patient organ using a dummy device and a physical 3D model
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP3440988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3440988B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method includes, receiving a first sequence of first positions of a medical device that moves in a body of a patient. The first positions of the medical device are visualized to a user, by automatically moving a dummy device, external to the body, in a second sequence of second positions that mimics the first sequence.