Electromagnetic Tracking With Micro-Coil Transmitters for Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic navigation systems face significant magnetic and conductive distortions due to ferromagnetic materials, limiting their navigation volume and range, especially in inverted-direction systems with micro-coil transmitters and macro-coil receivers.
Innovation Solution
Inverted-direction spread spectrum signaling systems with micro-coil transmitters and macro-coil receivers, utilizing frequency hopping and modulation to reduce distortions, increase navigation range, and correct conductive distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If macro-coil transmitters are used in standard electromagnetic navigation systems, then navigation coverage area is improved, but magnetic and conductive distortions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional electromagnetic navigation architecture by using micro-coil transmitters attached to anatomical structures and macro-coil receivers positioned externally. This inversion allows the system to achieve large navigation coverage through multiple distributed transmitters while each individual transmitter generates minimal magnetic and conductive distortions, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area and distortion levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the navigation system into multiple independent micro-coil transmitters distributed across different anatomical locations. Each micro-coil operates independently with low power, generating minimal local distortions. The collective coverage of multiple segmented transmitters achieves the required navigation volume without the concentrated distortion problems of a single macro-coil transmitter.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If micro-coil transmitters are used in inverted-direction systems, then magnetic and conductive distortions are reduced, but navigation range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signals from multiple micro-coil transmitters with the macro-coil receiver array to achieve extended navigation range. While individual micro-coils have limited range, the combination of multiple micro-coils positioned at different locations creates a collective navigation volume that encompasses the entire surgical field, thereby overcoming the range limitation of individual micro-coils while maintaining low distortion levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiver array continuously monitors signal strength and quality from multiple micro-coil transmitters. This feedback information is used to optimize transmitter activation patterns, signal weighting, and receiver positioning, thereby extending the effective navigation range while maintaining signal quality and minimizing distortions.
3Device complexity
If standard direction signaling is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key operating parameters including using lower transmission frequencies (1-100 kHz) compared to traditional systems, employing spread spectrum modulation techniques, and optimizing coil geometry and positioning. These parameter changes improve signal-to-noise ratio by reducing magnetic and conductive distortions while enhancing signal detection capability, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex system architecture.
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
Significantly reduces magnetic and conductive distortions, maintaining clinically relevant navigation volume and range while improving signal-to-noise ratio, enabling precise tracking of anatomical structures during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Each transmitting micro coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic field as a portion of a navigation region
Implementation Method 2
A receiver coil array includes a plurality of receiver coils. Each receiver coil of the receiver coil array detects field components of the electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
Tracking a pose of a portion of an anatomical structure using an inverted-direction electromagnetic navigation system may comprise generating a signal comprising a plurality of frequencies. The signal comprising the plurality of frequencies may be received at a transmitter coil array. The transmitter coil array comprises a plurality of transmitting micro coils. Each of the plurality of transmitting micro coils is coupled to a portion of an anatomical structure of a patient. In response to receiving the signal comprising the plurality of frequencies, an electromagnetic field may be generated at each of the plurality of transmitting micro coils based on the received signal. Each of the generated electromagnetic fields may be detected at a receiver coil array comprising at least one receiving coil. A pose of at least one of the plurality of transmitting micro coils may then be determined.