Reconfigurable Magnetic Navigation Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic location and sensing methods in medical and industrial applications often face interference issues, leading to incorrect location information and potential harm during procedures, particularly in environments where instruments need precise tracking and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A modular and reconfigurable magnetic navigation system using a reconfigurable antenna array with individual antenna elements that create and sense magnetic fields, allowing for real-time adaptation and interference detection, enabling precise localization and tracking of instruments within dynamic or complex environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic field generating antennas are used for navigation, then localization precision is improved, but electromagnetic interference detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic field generation and sensing capabilities into a single antenna system. The antenna generates magnetic fields for navigation while simultaneously detecting electromagnetic interference, eliminating the need for separate systems and enabling both functions to coexist and support each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: generating magnetic fields for localization and simultaneously sensing electromagnetic interference. This multi-functional design allows the same component to serve both navigation and safety monitoring purposes, resolving the contradiction between precision and interference detection.
2Device complexity
If fixed magnetic field configuration is used, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different procedure volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable antenna array where individual antenna elements can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on the required navigation volume. This allows the system to adapt to different procedure volumes and configurations while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field generation system is divided into multiple independent antenna elements that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to configure different navigation volumes by activating only the necessary antenna elements, providing adaptability without requiring a completely different system for each configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular antenna array is implemented, then reconfigurability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular antenna elements that can be independently controlled and configured. Each module is relatively simple in design, but their combination provides high reconfigurability. The modular approach allows complex functionality to be achieved through simple, repeatable units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna element in the modular array is designed to be multi-functional, capable of both generating magnetic fields and sensing interference. This universality reduces the overall system complexity compared to having specialized components for each function, while maintaining high reconfigurability through selective activation of elements.
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 system provides accurate, real-time tracking and interference mitigation, ensuring precise instrument localization and reducing the risk of errors during medical and industrial procedures by dynamically reconfiguring magnetic fields and detecting electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of such antenna elements can be used to create magnetic fields in which various magnetic sensor types could be localized
Implementation Method 2
magnetic field sensors placed on the instruments and other objects and locations
Data Source
AI summary
A modular electromagnetic navigation system with reconfigurable magnetic field generating antennas provides improved means for tracking various magnetic wired or wireless sensors with multiple biomedical and industrial applications. Electromagnetic field generating antennas (pods) can be implemented as multilayered printed circuit boards (PCB) with different layers being sufficiently aligned and connected in series for increased magnetic field strength. The pods can be kept separate or implemented on the same PCB as pod assemblies (pads) consisting of spaced apart pods. Different pods and pads can be placed on a side of or around the desired navigation volume allowing creation of arbitrary navigation spaces. Individual pods can also be used as magnetic field sensors or integrated with additional magnetic field sensors allowing localization of the pods in the system to adjust the navigation volume in real time.