Patient Motion Tracking with Vibration Decoupling Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motion capture sensors on moving components of medical imaging apparatuses, such as magnetic resonance machines, experience vibrations, leading to unwanted errors in patient motion tracking during examinations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second motion capture sensor, often an acceleration sensor, to decouple and directly capture the vibrations of the first sensor, allowing for precise patient motion tracking by synchronizing and calibrating the data to correct for vibrations and movements, ensuring accurate patient localization and data correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the motion capture sensor is arranged on a moving component of the medical imaging apparatus, then the sensor can capture patient motion data, but the sensor experiences vibrations and movements of the component leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second motion capture sensor as an intermediary reference that does not move with the first sensor. This second sensor captures the motion of the first sensor indirectly by measuring its changing position relative to the stationary second sensor, thereby separating the patient motion measurement from the harmful vibrations of the first sensor's mounting component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical attachment of the motion capture sensor to a moving component with an optical/electromagnetic field-based measurement system. The second sensor uses non-contact measurement (optical or electromagnetic fields) to track the position of the first sensor, eliminating direct mechanical coupling and its associated vibrations
2Reliability
If the first motion capture sensor is used to capture patient monitoring data, then patient motion can be tracked, but unwanted errors occur due to the sensor's own motion and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second sensor continuously monitors the position and motion of the first sensor, and this information is fed back to correct the patient motion measurements. The evaluation unit uses the second sensor's data to compensate for the first sensor's unwanted motion, thereby restoring measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference copy of the motion environment using the second sensor, which captures the motion characteristics of the first sensor without being affected by it. This copy is then used to subtract or compensate for the unwanted motion components in the original patient motion measurements
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 approach enables precise patient motion capture and correction, reducing errors caused by vibrations, facilitating quick and time-saving evaluation of motion data, and simplifying data transmission with lower data volume, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of medical imaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one further motion capture sensor includes an acceleration sensor. This enables movements and/or vibrations of the first motion capture sensor to be captured directly based on the transmission of these movements and/or vibrations to the acceleration sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging apparatus includes a detector unit, a patient-receiving area at least partially surrounded by the detector unit, and a motion capture unit. The motion capture unit includes at least one first motion capture sensor for capturing patient monitoring data relating to a motion of the patient, and at least one second motion capture sensor for the capture of further motion data relating to a motion of the first motion capture sensor.