Medical Device Placement With Ultrasound-Magnetic AR Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for placing medical devices in peripheral vasculature, such as guidewires or catheters, lack the ability to accurately visualize the device's location within the vasculature without exposing patients and clinicians to ionizing radiation, and there is a need for a safer and more precise visualization method.
Innovation Solution
A system combining an ultrasound probe, magnetic sensors, and an alternative-reality headset to create a virtual representation of the vasculature and medical devices, allowing real-time tracking and placement of devices using ultrasound imaging and magnetic sensor data, with input from eye-tracking, gesture, and audio commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to track medical devices, then device location can be visualized, but patients and clinicians are exposed to ionizing radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray-based fluoroscopy system with a combination of ultrasound imaging and magnetic sensor tracking. Ultrasound waves and magnetic fields are used instead of ionizing radiation to achieve device visualization and location tracking, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic sensors as an intermediary tracking system. Small magnets embedded in the medical device interact with external magnetic sensors to provide location information without requiring direct visualization through radiation-based imaging
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to track medical devices, then device location can be determined, but the vasculature is not visible making precise localization impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate functions into a unified system: ultrasound imaging provides real-time visualization of the vasculature and tissue structures, while magnetic sensors simultaneously track the precise location of the medical device. This combination allows clinicians to see both the anatomy and the device position together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the single X-ray imaging modality with a dual-modality system combining ultrasound imaging and magnetic field sensing, where each modality compensates for the other's limitations
3Reliability
If traditional imaging methods are used, then device placement can be monitored, but real-time accurate visualization of both anatomy and device is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultrasound imaging data with magnetic sensor tracking data into a unified real-time display system, allowing simultaneous visualization of both anatomical structures and medical device position with high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous real-time feedback through the augmented reality display, showing the current position of the medical device relative to the vasculature anatomy, allowing immediate adjustment and verification of device placement accuracy
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 visualization and placement of medical devices within the vasculature without radiation exposure, enhancing safety and accuracy for both patients and clinicians.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe configured to emit ultrasound signals into a limb of a patient and receive echoed ultrasound signals from the patient's limb
Implementation Method 2
receive echoed ultrasound signals from the patient's limb by way of a piezoelectric sensor array
Implementation Method 3
The array of magnetic sensors are embedded within a housing configured for placement about the patient's limb. The console is also configured to transform magnetic-sensor signals from the array of magnetic sensors into location information for a magnetized medical device within the patient's limb
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device-placing system includes an ultrasound probe, a medical-device detector, a console, and an alternative-reality headset. The ultrasound probe is configured to emit ultrasound signals into a patient's limb and receive echoed ultrasound signals from the patient's limb. The medical-device detector is configured for placement about the patient's limb. The console is configured to transform the echoed ultrasound signals to produce ultrasound-image segments corresponding to anatomical structures of the patient's limb, as well as transform magnetic-sensor signals from the medical-device detector into location information for a magnetized medical device within the patient's limb. The alternative-reality headset includes a display screen through which a wearer of the alternative-reality headset can see the patient's limb. The display screen is configured to display over the patient's limb a virtual medical device per the location information for the medical device within objects of virtual anatomy corresponding to the ultrasound-image segments.