Medical Target Localization via Distinct Magnetic Field Temporal Profiles
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical localization systems face challenges in accurately identifying and tracking multiple medical targets within the body, particularly due to interference from environmental signals and the need for precise positioning and orientation without prior knowledge of target movement history.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple medical target objects generating distinct magnetic fields with different time courses, detected by a magnetic field sensor and processed to determine unique positions and orientations, allowing for simultaneous tracking and minimal interference rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple medical target objects are tracked simultaneously using magnetic fields, then the quantity of detectable targets increases, but signal interference and difficulty in distinguishing individual targets worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each medical target object generates magnetic fields with distinct temporal profiles through periodic or pulsing activation patterns. The processing device detects these temporal variations to distinguish between multiple targets, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple objects by identifying their unique activation sequences and timing characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies magnetic field parameters including temporal profile, frequency, and amplitude to create distinguishable signal signatures for each target object. By modulating these parameters, the processing device can differentiate between multiple targets even when their spatial positions overlap, resolving the signal interference problem
2Reliability
If magnetic field detection is used to penetrate body barriers, then transmission capability through skin and bone improves, but signal-to-noise ratio worsens due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device continuously monitors magnetic field signals and uses feedback mechanisms to distinguish desired signals from environmental noise. By analyzing temporal profiles and comparing detected signals against expected patterns, the system filters out interference from motors, steel structures, and other ambient magnetic sources while maintaining reliable detection through body barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts environmental magnetic interference into useful information by analyzing the temporal characteristics of detected fields. Environmental noise sources with different temporal signatures than medical targets are identified and filtered, while the desired signals are extracted and enhanced, transforming the challenging noisy environment into a manageable detection scenario
3Adaptability or versatility
If position and orientation determination is performed without prior knowledge of target movement, then adaptability to unknown target behavior improves, but complexity of real-time processing worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of magnetic field temporal profiles and establishes baseline characteristics before full position and orientation calculation. By pre-processing signals to identify target signatures and filter obvious noise, the subsequent real-time tracking requires less computational complexity while maintaining adaptability to unknown movement patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device segments the complex task of position and orientation determination into distinct processing stages: temporal profile analysis, signal identification, parameter extraction, and coordinate calculation. This segmentation allows each stage to handle specific aspects of the problem independently, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining the ability to track targets with unknown movement patterns
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 accurate and reliable localization and identification of multiple medical targets with improved signal-to-noise ratio, capable of distinguishing between overlapping signals and providing real-time, stateless, and atomic position and orientation data.
Implementation Method 1
the first medical target object is configured to generate a first magnetic field with a first temporal profile, the second medical target object is configured to generate a second magnetic field with a second temporal profile
Implementation Method 2
the measuring device is configured to detect magnetic field lines of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field with regard to their direction, their strength, and their temporal profile by means of a magnetic field sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A system (10) for locating and identifying multiple medical targets (12, 14), the system (10) comprising the multiple medical targets (12, 14) and a measuring device (16) for locating and identifying the multiple medical targets (12, 14), wherein the multiple medical targets generate different magnetic fields (20, 24) whose position, direction, and source can be determined. A method (50) for locating and identifying multiple medical targets (12, 14) is further disclosed.