Needle Magnetization Alignment for Accurate Guidance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures lack an efficient method for accurately tracking and guiding needles during insertion into a patient's body, which can lead to inaccuracies in placement.
Innovation Solution
A magnetizing system that selectively magnetizes a needle, allowing it to be tracked by a needle guidance system. The system includes an orientation key system to ensure correct positioning of the needle within the magnetizing system, ensuring accurate magnetization and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a needle is magnetized for tracking by a guidance system, then the accuracy of needle placement is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to the need for a magnetizing system and orientation keys
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is magnetized in advance within the magnetizing system before use, so that when the needle is inserted into the patient's body, it already possesses the magnetic properties required for tracking by the guidance system. This preliminary magnetization action eliminates the need for complex real-time magnetization mechanisms during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation key system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the needle and the magnetizing system. The key features on both the needle and magnetizing system ensure proper alignment and positioning during magnetization, simplifying the overall process by providing a straightforward mechanical guidance method rather than requiring complex alignment procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If an orientation key system is used to ensure correct needle positioning, then the manufacturing precision of needle magnetization is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional key features
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation key system employs asymmetric key features - protrusions on one component and corresponding recesses on the other - that can only fit together in a specific orientation. This asymmetric design ensures the needle is positioned at the correct angle and location relative to the magnetizing system, guaranteeing precise magnetization without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation keys are designed to automatically guide the needle into the correct position as it is inserted into the magnetizing system. This preliminary positioning action occurs before magnetization begins, ensuring the needle is correctly oriented without requiring complex real-time adjustment or monitoring systems during the magnetization process.
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
The magnetizing system enables precise tracking and visualization of the needle's position and orientation within the patient's body, enhancing the accuracy of needle placement during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permanent magnet disposed within the magnetizer body and configured to magnetize the needle when the needle is positioned within the needle receptacle
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A magnetizing system for use in selectively magnetizing a needle of a medical device is disclosed. Once magnetized, the needle can be tracked by a needle guidance system, which assists the clinician placing the needle by visualizing on a display the position and orientation of the needle after its insertion into a body of a patient. An orientation key system is included with the magnetizing system to ensure the needle is positioned correctly in the magnetizing system. This in turn ensures that the needle is properly magnetized so as to be accurately tracked by the needle guidance system. In one embodiment a first key is included with the magnetizing system and configured to cooperatively mate with a second key included with the needle of the medical device. Various types of keys are disclosed herein.