MRI Catheter Navigation System for Radiation-Free Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems for navigating catheters and tools in patients for biopsy and therapy expose both the patient and the surgical team to significant ionizing radiation, particularly due to the use of fluoroscopy, CT, or cone-beam CT imaging.
Innovation Solution
The system employs magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-radiating imaging modality to reduce ionizing radiation exposure. It includes a catheter with sensors and a computing device that processes MRI signals to generate 3D models, navigate the catheter to targets, and update the catheter's position in real-time, using MRI image data sets to confirm placement and reduce radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy, CT, or cone-beam CT imaging is used to navigate catheters and tools, then navigation precision and target identification are improved, but ionizing radiation exposure to the patient and surgical team increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces x-ray based imaging systems (fluoroscopy, CT) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. This substitution eliminates ionizing radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to generate real-time 3D models and track catheter positions through magnetic field-based sensing and MRI-visible markers, thus resolving the contradiction between navigation precision and radiation exposure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple intra-procedural image data sets are acquired to correct for CT-to-body divergence and confirm placement, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the total ionizing radiation dose received by the patient and medical team increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces repeated x-ray imaging acquisitions with MRI-based tracking using magnetic field sensors and MRI-visible markers. This allows multiple intra-procedural imaging acquisitions to confirm placement and correct for body divergence without accumulating ionizing radiation dose, as MRI uses non-ionizing magnetic fields and radio waves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pre-procedural CT image data is used to generate 3D models for navigation, then target identification capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase compared to fluoroscopy-based approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pre-procedural CT scanning with MRI scanning to generate 3D models for navigation. While both modalities provide detailed anatomical information, MRI eliminates ionizing radiation exposure. The system integrates MRI image processing, 3D model generation, and real-time tracking using magnetic field sensors, creating a unified navigation system that maintains target identification capability while removing radiation hazards.
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 significantly reduces the ionizing radiation exposure for both the patient and the surgical team while enabling precise navigation and placement of catheters and tools during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
receive magnetic resonance signals from a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner
Implementation Method 2
a sensor... determine a location of the sensor within the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for luminal navigation of a catheter including a sensor and a computing device. The computing device executing steps of receiving magnetic resonance signals from a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner and to generate an MRI image data set, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model from the MRI image data set, generating a pathway through the 3D model to a target, determining a location of the sensor within the patient, displaying a location of a portion of the catheter in the 3D model, updating the displayed location of the portion of the catheter, receiving second magnetic resonance signals and generate a second MRI image data set, receiving an indication of a distal end of the catheter in the second MRI image data set, and updating a relative position of a distal end of the catheter and the target in the 3D model.