Microwave Antenna Array Biopsy Needle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems lack the accuracy and precision in guiding biopsy needles to identified regions of interest within the body, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in tissue sampling.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system utilizing a microwave antenna array to illuminate and process body tissues, combined with a biopsy device equipped with a movable needle that emits microwave signals, allowing real-time monitoring and guidance of the needle's position relative to the region of interest, facilitated by a processor and display for graphical representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a biopsy needle is manually guided to a region of interest identified by imaging, then the biopsy procedure can be performed, but the positioning accuracy and precision of the needle relative to the region of interest is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging system (microwave antenna array) with the biopsy guidance system into a single integrated apparatus. The same antenna array used for imaging also tracks the biopsy needle position by detecting scattered microwave signals from the needle, eliminating the need for separate imaging and tracking systems while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the biopsy needle position by detecting microwave signals scattered from the needle and provides real-time feedback through graphical display. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the needle's location relative to the region of interest and adjust positioning accordingly, significantly improving needle placement accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple biopsy insertions are performed to ensure accurate sampling, then the likelihood of obtaining diagnostic tissue increases, but the procedure time and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time graphical feedback system displays the biopsy needle position overlaid on the anatomical image, allowing the operator to confirm accurate needle placement within the region of interest before tissue sampling. This visual confirmation ensures high sampling reliability on the first attempt, reducing the need for repeated insertions and minimizing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging to identify the region of interest and plan the biopsy trajectory before needle insertion. By pre-mapping the anatomy and marking the target location, the operator can execute a precise single-pass biopsy, avoiding multiple trial insertions and reducing overall procedure time.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring of biopsy needle position is implemented, then positioning accuracy improves, but the data processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing microwave antenna array for both imaging and needle tracking functions. The same hardware infrastructure processes microwave signals to generate anatomical images and simultaneously detects needle position through scattered signal analysis, reducing system complexity while enabling real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave antenna array performs multiple functions: imaging the body's internal structure, identifying regions of interest, and tracking the biopsy needle position. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high monitoring accuracy.
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 system enhances the accuracy and speed of biopsy needle positioning, reducing the number of insertions and withdrawals, and minimizing the risk of errors, while allowing for precise targeting of suspicious lesions, thus improving the overall biopsy process.
Implementation Method 1
the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part
Implementation Method 2
a microwave antenna array comprising a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging system including a microwave antenna array having a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part; a processor configured to process the scattered microwave signals and generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a region of interest within the body part; and a biopsy device comprising a biopsy needle movable relative to the microwave antenna array; wherein the receiving antennae are further configured to receive microwave signals scattered or emitted by the biopsy needle and the processor is further configured to monitor a position of the biopsy needle and to guide the biopsy needle to the identified region of interest within the body part.