Medical Instrument Shape Estimation via Time-Division Coil Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments, such as endoscopes, face challenges in accurately detecting the shape of their insertion portion within a subject due to limitations in coil configuration and timing circuits, which affect the precision of position detection and shape estimation.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument with first and second transmitting coils generating magnetic fields at different intervals, a signal control unit for time-division transmission, and a position estimating unit that uses detected positions to estimate the shape of the insertion portion by interpolating between coil positions, allowing for accurate shape detection even when some coils are not directly detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of transmitting coils are provided in the insertion portion and all coils are sequentially driven in time-division manner, then the shape detection coverage is improved, but the detection time increases and frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting coils are divided into multiple groups (first transmitting coils and second transmitting coils) that are driven alternately in different time periods. This segmentation allows the system to detect positions of different coil groups in sequence, reducing the total detection time compared to detecting all coils sequentially, thereby improving frame rate while maintaining comprehensive shape detection coverage.
2Measurement precision
If the position of every transmitting coil is directly detected, then the shape estimation accuracy is improved, but the detection complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A position estimating unit acts as an intermediary between the position detection unit and the shape estimation process. It estimates the positions of transmitting coils that were not directly detected by using detected positions from other coils as reference. This intermediary estimation process reduces detection complexity and time while maintaining shape estimation accuracy by inferring undetected coil positions from detected ones.
3Reliability
If all transmitting coils are driven continuously to ensure accurate position detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting coils are driven periodically in alternating time periods rather than continuously. First transmitting coils are driven during a first predetermined period, and second transmitting coils are driven during a second predetermined period. This periodic alternating drive pattern ensures that coil positions are detected reliably over time while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous driving of all coils.
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 accurate and efficient shape estimation of the insertion portion, improving precision and reducing the need for continuous detection of all coils, thus maintaining a high frame rate without increasing instrument size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
first transmitting coils provided in the insertion portion along a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion at predetermined intervals and generating magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument includes an insertion portion, first transmitting coils, second transmitting coils, a signal control unit, a position detection unit, a memory, and a position estimating unit. The signal control unit controls the first transmitting coils to transmit magnetic fields during a first predetermined period and controls the second transmitting coils to transmit magnetic fields during a second predetermined period. The position detection unit detects positions of the first transmitting coils during the first predetermined period and detects positions of the second transmitting coils during the second predetermined period. The memory stores the positions of the first transmitting coils. The position estimating unit estimates a shape of the insertion portion based on the positions of the second transmitting coils and the positions of the first transmitting coils stored in the memory.