Needle Guide System Predicting Trajectory via Spatial Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
During freehand medical interventions, it is challenging to determine the optimal position and angle for needle insertion into the body using ultrasound images, as the relative positions between the needle and tissues are not visible before the needle enters the field of view of the ultrasound transducer.
Innovation Solution
A needle guide system comprising a puncture device, an ultrasound transducer, first and second orientation detectors, a proximity detector, and a processor that predicts the needle trajectory by obtaining spatial relationships between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer, allowing for real-time display of the predicted trajectory within the ultrasound image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If freehand medical intervention is performed using only ultrasound images, then the operator can monitor tissue positions during the procedure, but the operator cannot determine the relative positions between the needle and tissues before the needle enters the ultrasound field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that bridges the gap between physical needle position and ultrasound image coordinates. This virtual needle model acts as a mediator, translating real-world needle orientation and position data into the ultrasound image coordinate system, allowing the operator to see predicted needle trajectory before actual insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the needle (virtual needle model) that replicates the physical needle's orientation and position characteristics. This digital replica is then transformed and displayed within the ultrasound image, providing a visual representation of the needle's expected path without requiring the physical needle to be present in the ultrasound field of view.
2Measurement precision
If orientation detectors and proximity detectors are added to track needle position, then the needle trajectory can be predicted and displayed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs orientation detectors that serve multiple functions: they track the needle's orientation, calculate spatial relationships, and provide data for both real-time visualization and trajectory prediction. The proximity detector similarly serves dual purposes by measuring distance for both safety monitoring and coordinate transformation calculations, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking systems with electronic sensing and computational methods. Instead of using mechanical linkages or physical markers that would increase device complexity, the system uses electronic orientation detectors and software-based coordinate transformation to achieve precise needle position measurement and trajectory prediction.
3Loss of information
If a virtual needle model and coordinate transformation are implemented, then the needle trajectory can be predicted in the ultrasound image, but the computational processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by establishing the coordinate transformation relationship between the physical world and ultrasound image space before the actual needle insertion. The transformation matrix is pre-computed based on the detected positions of orientation detectors, allowing real-time trajectory prediction to use simple matrix multiplication rather than complex geometric calculations during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detected spatial relationships and orientation data to automatically compute and update the virtual needle model and trajectory prediction without requiring external computational assistance. The processor leverages the already-acquired sensor data to self-generate the transformed coordinates and predicted trajectory, minimizing the need for additional computational resources.
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
Enables accurate prediction and display of the needle trajectory, facilitating safer and more precise medical interventions by providing real-time guidance during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first orientation detector disposed on the puncture device and configured to detect a first orientation of the puncture device
Implementation Method 2
a second orientation detector disposed on the ultrasound transducer and configured to detect a second orientation of the ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 3
a proximity detector disposed on at least one of the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer and configured to obtain a relative distance between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 4
The ultrasound transducer is configured to obtain an ultrasound image
Data Source
AI summary
A needle guide system is provided. The needle guide system includes a puncture device, an ultrasound transducer, a first orientation detector, a second orientation detector, a proximity detector and a processor. The ultrasound transducer is configured to obtain an ultrasound image. The first orientation detector is disposed on the puncture device, and the second orientation detector is disposed on the ultrasound transducer. The proximity detector is disposed on at least one of the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer, configured to obtain a relative distance between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer. The processor is configured to obtain a spatial relationship between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer by using the first orientation detector, the second orientation detector, and the proximity detector, and predict a trajectory of the puncture device in the ultrasound image according to the spatial relationship. In addition, a medical intervention system is also provided.