Reference Catheter Nodes for Motion Artifact Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location mapping systems in medical navigation face challenges in distinguishing between real and imaginary movements, leading to motion artifacts that affect the accuracy of tracking and treatment quality.
Innovation Solution
A medical interventional navigation system that uses a plurality of reference nodes aligned at known points within the body to determine the location of a tracked node, employing interpolation and filtering to eliminate or minimize motion artifacts, thereby providing virtual stabilization of the tracked device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional location mapping systems track node position using electrical signals and reference nodes, then the location of the tracked device can be determined, but motion artifacts from real and imaginary movements reduce tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference catheter with multiple reference nodes as an intermediary element. This reference catheter remains stationary while the mapped catheter moves, providing a stable reference frame. The system measures positions of both the mapped catheter nodes and reference catheter nodes, then uses these measurements to calculate and remove motion artifacts, thereby improving tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the catheter into multiple separable nodes (first node, second node, third node, etc.) that can be tracked independently. Each node's position is measured separately using electrical signals, and the system processes each node's trajectory individually to remove motion artifacts. This segmentation allows for precise tracking of different portions of the catheter.
2Measurement precision
If multiple reference nodes are used to determine location through interpolation, then tracking precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference catheter is divided into multiple discrete reference nodes (first reference node, second reference node, third reference node, etc.) spaced at known intervals. Each reference node's position is measured independently, providing multiple data points for interpolation. This segmentation of the reference system enables more accurate location determination through mathematical interpolation while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.
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 effectively reduces both real and imaginary movements, enhancing the accuracy of tracking and improving treatment quality by stabilizing the tracked device's appearance, even during organ movement like heartbeats and respiration.
Implementation Method 1
an element, or node, of a medical device may be tracked within the body of a patient by measuring electrical signals passing through tissues, as well as other anatomic structures, in the body
Implementation Method 2
intersecting electromagnetic fields may be utilized to track the location of one or more elements, such as one or more catheter tips
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for mapping a location of a point within the body (11) is disclosed. A plurality of reference nodes (31,60,62,64) are determined, each aligned on a first element (29). A second element (17) is mapped with reference to the plurality of reference nodes to determine the relative location of a point on the second element.