Microwave Antenna Probe for 3D Lesion Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for localizing lesions during surgical procedures, such as lumpectomies, are inadequate due to the potential movement of wires or seeds used for localization, providing limited three-dimensional guidance and risking incomplete removal or unnecessary tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A system using a ceramic disk with a bowtie antenna probe that transmits and receives electromagnetic signals to accurately determine the distance and orientation of markers within the body, employing a Maltese cross antenna configuration for precise localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wire is used for localization, then the location can be identified before surgery, but the wire may move between placement and surgery causing inaccurate localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical localization methods (wires and seeds) with an electromagnetic field-based system. A transmit antenna emits electromagnetic signals that interact with a receive antenna in the target tissue, allowing precise localization without physical markers that can move. This substitution of mechanical systems with electromagnetic fields resolves the contradiction by eliminating the movement problem inherent in physical wires while maintaining localization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the external localization system and the target tissue. Instead of directly placing physical markers in the tissue, the system uses electromagnetic signal transmission and reception as a mediator to achieve localization. This intermediary approach allows for accurate positioning without the stability issues of direct physical implantation.
2Measurement precision
If two-dimensional imaging is used for guidance, then the procedure can be planned, but three-dimensional localization of the lesion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional imaging to three-dimensional localization by adding the electromagnetic field dimension. The system uses transmit and receive antennas to create and detect electromagnetic field interactions that provide depth information, enabling three-dimensional localization. This dimensional expansion allows precise spatial mapping of the target while maintaining practical system complexity through the use of antenna-based electromagnetic fields rather than complex multi-dimensional imaging systems.
3Measurement precision
If a radioactive seed is used for localization, then the location can be tracked during surgery, but the seed may migrate and gamma probes provide limited three-dimensional guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radioactive seed system with an electromagnetic antenna system. Instead of implanting a seed that can migrate, the system uses a transmit antenna outside the body and a receive antenna within the tissue to create electromagnetic field interactions for localization. This substitution eliminates the migration problem inherent in radioactive seeds while providing superior three-dimensional guidance capability through electromagnetic field mapping.
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
Provides precise three-dimensional localization of lesions, ensuring complete removal of targeted tissue and minimizing healthy tissue removal by accurately guiding surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a transmit antenna to transmit a transmit signal into the body, wherein the transmit antenna is housed in a tip of a probe on a surface of the ceramic disk; a receive antenna to receive a receive signal that is reflected from the marker
Implementation Method 2
a receive antenna to receive a receive signal that is reflected from the marker, wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antenna together form a Maltese cross antenna
Implementation Method 3
at least one processor to calculate a difference in time from a time the transmit signal was sent by the transmit antenna to a time the receive signal was received by the receive antenna, and to determine a distance from the tip of the probe to the marker based at least in part on the difference in time
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system includes a microwave antenna probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect one or more markers that are implanted within or around the target tissue region. During use, the marker(s) are implanted into a target tissue region, and the microwave antenna probe is placed against the patient's skin to transmit a signal to the marker(s) and to receive the reflected signal from the marker(s) in order to determine the location of the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the location information from the microwave antenna probe.