Medical Instrument Navigation for Imaging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical imaging systems require interruption of surgical procedures to control medical imaging devices, which can affect surgical results and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes a navigation subsystem to track medical instruments and a control subsystem to correlate their orientation, position, and motion with the medical imaging device's functions, allowing seamless operation without additional hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a table-side control unit is used to control the medical imaging device, then the examining physician can control the device operations, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and surgical efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The medical instrument performs self-control of the imaging device by detecting its own position and orientation through the navigation subsystem, eliminating the need for separate control units and manual operations during surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical control interfaces (table-side control units, switches, levers) with an automated navigation and control system that uses position detection and computer processing to control the imaging device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a radiation technologist operates the medical imaging device, then the device can be controlled, but the examining physician's focus is diverted and surgical results may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operationVSAvoidsurgical outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the medical instrument to control the imaging device autonomously through position and orientation detection, removing the need for radiation technologists and ensuring the examining physician maintains focus on the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation subsystem acts as an intermediary between the medical instrument and the imaging device, automatically translating instrument position and orientation into appropriate imaging device commands without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8208988B2System and method for controlling a medical imaging device

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling a medical imaging device is provided. The system includes a medical imaging device. The system further includes a medical instrument. Further, the system includes a navigation subsystem that is configured to track the medical instrument. Furthermore, the system includes a control subsystem that communicates with the navigation subsystem. The control subsystem is configured to correlate at least one of orientation, position and motion of the medical instrument with a function of the medical imaging device. The control subsystem is further configured to direct the medical imaging device to perform the function associated with the medical imaging device, based on the correlation.