Ultrasound Probe Positioning via Magnetic Field Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical simulation systems lack appropriate means to determine the position of an ultrasound probe relative to areas of interest on a patient's external surface, which is crucial for accurate simulation of medical procedures like ultrasound imaging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a magnetic field measurement module and an ultrasound measurement module to create maps of the object's external surface, correlating magnetic field and ultrasound characteristics to determine the position of the probe with respect to predefined reference areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ultrasound probe is used for medical simulation procedures, then ultrasound images of the anatomic region can be generated and displayed, but the position of the ultrasound probe with respect to areas of interest on the external surface cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the external surface into multiple reference areas, each with known coordinates and characteristics. By segmenting the surface mapping task into discrete reference points, the system can determine probe position through correlation with these predefined areas without requiring complex continuous tracking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field markers as intermediary elements placed on the external surface. These markers generate detectable magnetic field signatures that serve as mediators between the ultrasound probe and the reference areas, enabling position determination without direct mechanical or optical coupling.
2Measurement precision
If multiple reference areas are defined on the external surface for position determination, then position accuracy improves, but the complexity of creating and managing magnetic field maps and ultrasound maps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges magnetic field mapping and ultrasound mapping into a unified position determination framework. By correlating reference areas from both maps that correspond to the same physical locations, the system achieves accurate position tracking while reducing the complexity of managing separate mapping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms position determination from a direct measurement problem into a correlation problem by changing the parameters being compared. Instead of directly measuring probe coordinates, the system correlates magnetic field values and ultrasound characteristics at reference areas, using parameter transformation to simplify the determination 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
Enables precise determination of the ultrasound probe's position on the external surface, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of medical simulation procedures by aligning the probe with specific anatomical regions of interest.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field measurement module for measuring a magnetic field value induced by the object
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound measurement module for generating an ultrasound signal, receiving a corresponding reflected ultrasound signal reflected by the object, and measuring an ultrasound characteristic of the reflected ultrasound signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present system and method determine a position on an external surface of an object. The system comprises a magnetic field measurement module and an ultrasound measurement module. A control unit stores a magnetic field map of the object comprising a first plurality of reference areas of the external surface of the object and associated reference magnetic field value. The control unit also stores an ultrasound map of the object comprising a second plurality of reference areas of the external surface of the object and associated reference ultrasound characteristic. The processing unit determines: a subset of the reference areas for which the associated reference magnetic field value is substantially equal to a measured magnetic field value, a subset of the reference areas for which the associated reference ultrasound characteristic is substantially equal to a measured ultrasound characteristic, and determines the position on the external surface of the object.