Medical Instrument Sensor for Electromagnetic Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical instruments face challenges in precisely locating their position within the body during procedures due to the removal of locatable guides with sensors, leading to increased diagnostic and surgical times and costs, especially in narrow passageways like the lungs, where repeated insertions and removals are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument equipped with a sensor featuring a conductive coil covered by non-conductive material, capable of detecting changes in an electromagnetic field, allowing for real-time location tracking and continuous navigation within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a locatable guide with sensor is removed after reaching the target, then the instrument can be exchanged for treatment instruments, but the exact location of the distal end of the EWC becomes unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The EWC is equipped with its own sensor that enables it to independently determine its location within the electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for a separate locatable guide. The sensor on the EWC itself provides continuous location information throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The EWC serves multiple functions: it acts as both the navigation tool and the treatment delivery tool. By integrating the sensor directly into the EWC, the same instrument performs both localization and therapeutic functions, eliminating the need to exchange instruments.
2Ease of operation
If visualization instruments are inserted through the EWC to reach narrow passageways, then areas such as pleura boundaries can be accessed, but repeated insertions and removals are necessitated
Solution Approach 1:
The EWC with integrated sensor provides continuous self-localization capability, eliminating the need to remove and reinsert instruments for location confirmation. The sensor continuously tracks the EWC position, providing real-time location data throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous presence of the sensor on the EWC enables uninterrupted location tracking throughout the entire procedure, from navigation through narrow passageways to treatment delivery, eliminating repeated insertions and removals.
3Productivity
If multiple instruments are inserted simultaneously through the EWC, then visualization and treatment can be performed concurrently, but the small diameter of the EWC makes this impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The EWC with integrated sensor performs self-localization, eliminating the need for separate locatable guides. This simplifies the overall system configuration while maintaining the ability to perform multiple functions through the single EWC.
4Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to confirm location of markers and instruments, then location certainty is improved, but diagnostic and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic sensor system replaces the mechanical fluoroscopy-based location confirmation method. The sensor provides continuous electronic location tracking through electromagnetic field detection, eliminating the need for repeated fluoroscopic imaging to confirm instrument position.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous location information throughout the procedure, replacing the intermittent location confirmation obtained through fluoroscopy. This continuous tracking maintains location certainty while reducing overall procedure time.
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 solution enables precise and continuous tracking of medical instruments within the body, reducing the need for repeated insertions and improving the certainty of instrument location, thereby shortening procedure times and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor having at least one coil formed on a conductive material... which senses an induced electrical signal based on a magnetic flux change of the EM field
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument includes a sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The sensor has at least one coil formed on a conductive material. The surface is suitable for receiving the sensor and can be placed in an EM field. The at least one non-conductive material covers the at least one coil of the sensor. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically connected to the at least one coil and connectable to a measurement device, which senses an induced electrical signal based on a magnetic flux change of the EM field. The location of the medical instrument in a coordinate system of the EM filed is identified based on the induced electrical signal in the sensor.