Open-Frame Location Pad for Unobstructed Fluoroscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic position tracking systems often obstruct fluoroscopic imaging during medical procedures due to the thickness and design of traditional location pads, which can block X-rays and reduce the effective size of the region-of-interest, especially in cardiac procedures.

Innovation Solution

The development of an open-frame, low-profile location pad with multiple field-generators arranged in a non-concentric configuration on a frame that is open on at least one side, allowing unobstructed X-ray passage and reducing the pad's thickness to 1.2 cm, enabling simultaneous magnetic position tracking and fluoroscopic imaging without obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional location pad with closed frame is used for magnetic position tracking, then the mechanical rigidity and structural stability are improved, but the fluoroscopic imaging is obstructed due to the thick frame blocking X-rays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical rigidityVSAvoidX-ray obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closed frame structure is segmented into an open frame by removing portions of the frame material. This segmentation allows X-rays to pass through the gaps while the remaining frame segments maintain sufficient mechanical rigidity to support the field-generators and maintain structural stability during the medical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is designed with a porous or perforated structure, containing gaps and openings that allow X-ray radiation to pass through. This porous design reduces the X-ray obstruction while maintaining the structural integrity needed to support the magnetic field-generators and ensure proper positioning during fluoroscopic imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the location pad thickness is increased to provide sufficient mechanical support, then the structural stability is improved, but the region-of-interest visualization is reduced due to increased shadowing effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidregion-of-interest area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is segmented to create an open design with reduced material density. This segmentation maintains structural stability through strategic placement of support elements while reducing the overall thickness and shadowing effects, thereby preserving a larger effective region-of-interest area for fluoroscopic visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame exhibits local quality variations with thicker sections at critical support points and thinner or open sections in areas where X-ray transmission is prioritized. This localized structural optimization maintains mechanical stability where needed while minimizing shadowing effects in the imaging region, preserving the effective region-of-interest area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a closed-frame location pad is used, then the field-generators are securely fixed, but the fluoroscopic image quality deteriorates due to frame shadowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield-generator fixationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The closed frame is segmented into an open frame structure that securely fixes the field-generators at their designated positions while creating gaps that allow unobstructed X-ray passage. This segmentation maintains the reliability of field-generator fixation through strategic support elements while eliminating the shadowing that would otherwise degrade fluoroscopic image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides unobstructed fluoroscopic imaging and improved accuracy in tracking medical instruments by minimizing shadowing effects and allowing full visualization of the region-of-interest, while maintaining mechanical rigidity and ease of placement between the patient and the table.

Implementation Method 1

multiple field-generators, which are configured to generate respective magnetic fields in a region-of-interest of a patient body, for measuring a position of a medical instrument

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A position sensor is fixed to an invasive medical device for insertion into a body of the patient, and is arranged to sense the magnetic fields so as to measure a position of the medical device in the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the region-of-interest is irradiated with a fluoroscopic imaging system so as to produce an image of the region-of-interest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3114995B1Fluoro-invisible location pad structure for cardiac procedures

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

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AI summary

A location pad includes multiple field-generators and a frame. The field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields in a region-of-interest of a patient body, for measuring a position of a medical instrument in the region-of-interest. The frame is configured to fix the multiple field-generators at respective positions surrounding the region-of-interest. The frame is open on at least one side of the region-of-interest to allow fluoroscopic imaging.