Puncture Guiding Unit Optical Target Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current puncture procedures involve extensive use of imaging systems, leading to increased X-ray exposure for both surgeons and patients, and require multiple tomographic images, which prolongs the procedure and complicates accurate puncture alignment outside the imaging system.

Innovation Solution

A puncture guiding unit with an input, position determination, and output system that uses planning data to align an optical target device, allowing for precise positioning of medical instruments relative to the skin surface without continuous imaging, reducing X-ray exposure and simplifying the puncture process by guiding the instrument along a predetermined trajectory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If imaging systems are used continuously for puncture guidance, then puncture accuracy is improved, but X-ray exposure increases and procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture accuracyVSAvoidX-ray exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary puncture planning using imaging data to determine the optimal puncture trajectory and target position before the actual puncture procedure. This allows the puncture to be executed based on pre-calculated guidance data without continuous imaging, thereby reducing X-ray exposure while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an optical tracking system as an intermediary that uses optical markers and cameras to track the position of puncture instruments. This optical guidance system replaces continuous X-ray imaging during the puncture procedure, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the harmful X-ray exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple tomographic images are acquired for puncture planning, then puncture accuracy is improved, but procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture accuracyVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system acquires all necessary imaging data and performs complete puncture planning before the puncture procedure begins. The planning includes determining the puncture trajectory, target position, and generating guidance data in advance, which eliminates the need for time-consuming image acquisition during the actual puncture procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous optical tracking during the puncture procedure, providing real-time feedback on instrument position without interrupting the procedure for image acquisition. This maintains the continuity of the puncture action while providing ongoing guidance to ensure accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If optical target device is positioned precisely using guidance data, then puncture alignment accuracy is improved, but device positioning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture alignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical target device is designed with self-aligning features including optical markers that automatically come into view when the device is positioned correctly. The system provides visual feedback that guides the operator to the correct position without requiring complex manual alignment procedures, thereby maintaining high accuracy while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4527324A1Puncture guide unit and computer program
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 ATLAS MEDICAL TECH GMBH
  • EP4527324A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4527324A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4527324A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a puncture guiding unit (306) for a puncture guiding system for assisting a user in carrying out a puncture with of a patient a medical instrument on the patient's skin surface at a puncture position (202) and along a puncture orientation (204) is proposed. The puncture guiding unit (306) comprises an input unit (320), a position determination unit (322) and an output unit (324). The input unit (320) is configured for receiving planning data (214) indicative of the puncture position (202) and/or the orientation (204) in a coordinate system of an imaging system (100). The position determination unit (322) is configured for determining for an optical target device (302) having a field of view with a viewing axis a target position and/or orientation for the optical target device (302) in the coordinate system of the imaging system at which the puncture position (202) and/or the puncture orientation (204) relative to the skin surface of the patient lie on or are at least close to the viewing axis using the planning data. The output unit (324) that is configured for providing guidance and/or selection data (326) indicative of the determined target position and/or orientation of the optical target device (302) relative to the patient.