Medical Instrument Positioning via Electromagnetic Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical navigation systems relying on electromagnetic fields for determining the position and orientation of medical instruments are complex, expensive, and sensitive to disturbances, requiring high-precision sensor coils and a constant magnetic field profile.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using direction finding operations instead of distance measurements to determine the position and orientation of medical instruments, employing electromagnetic fields with lower precision requirements, allowing for simpler and less expensive components, and enabling disturbance immunity through evaluable signal measurement even with varying field strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic fields are used for determining position and orientation of medical instruments, then position determination can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive requiring high-precision sensor coils and constant magnetic field profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from distance measurement to direction finding. Instead of measuring the strength of electromagnetic fields to determine distance, the system uses direction finding operations to determine the orientation of the medical instrument relative to reference markings. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-precision sensor coils and constant field profiles, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If high-precision sensor coils and defined electromagnetic fields are provided to ensure accurate position determination, then measurement accuracy improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces distance measurement with direction finding, fundamentally changing the measurement parameter. This eliminates the requirement for expensive high-precision sensor coils and precisely controlled electromagnetic fields. The direction finding approach uses simpler components and less stringent manufacturing requirements, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining situation determination accuracy.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic shielding is implemented to avoid disturbing influences on the magnetic field, then reliability of position determination improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from distance measurement based on electromagnetic field strength to direction finding. This parameter change makes the system inherently more resistant to electromagnetic disturbances because direction finding relies on the orientation of field lines rather than absolute field strength. Consequently, extensive electromagnetic shielding becomes unnecessary, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining or improving reliability.
4Loss of information
If distance measurement is performed using electromagnetic fields, then position information can be obtained, but the system becomes sensitive to disturbances and requires complex shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the measurement parameter from distance (based on field strength) to direction (based on field line orientation). Direction finding is inherently more robust against electromagnetic disturbances because it depends on the geometric orientation of the field rather than its absolute intensity. This parameter change reduces disturbance sensitivity while maintaining position information 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
This approach reduces complexity and cost while maintaining high precision and reliability in medical navigation, allowing for efficient determination of instrument position and orientation with minimal disturbance sensitivity and reduced field emission duration.
Implementation Method 1
a number of first components configured to produce electromagnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
a number of second components disposed and configured to measure the electromagnetic fields produced by said first components
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for determining the position of a medical instrument, particularly for the purpose of medical navigation. In order to use a simple system to provide a relatively inexpensive technique for determining positional information, the position and/or orientation of the medical instrument is determined by ascertaining the same on the basis of position finding operations. Electromagnetic fields are first measured and the results of relative field strength measurements are taken as a basis for ascertaining the direction of a line from a transmitter to a receiver. After this direction information is known, it is used to determine the positional information of the medical instrument.