Reusable EM Sensor Tool Set for Medical Imaging Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and disposability of EM tracking systems for medical instruments, particularly needles with permanently attached sensors, make EM technology cost-prohibitive for routine use in image-guided procedures, limiting its adoption due to the expense and complexity of re-processing and re-sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A complete mechanical tool set allowing the reuse of expensive EM sensors, including a specially designed needle with a reusable EM sensor, a bracket for ultrasonic transducers, and an adapter for converting other medical instruments into EM trackable instruments, along with skin surface markers for image registration, to reduce costs and simplify setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If EM sensors are permanently mounted on medical instruments, then tracking accuracy is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking functionality into separate components: reusable EM sensors that can be detached and reused, and disposable or reusable instruments that receive the sensors. This segmentation allows the expensive sensing component to be separated from the instrument, enabling reuse of the sensor while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The EM sensors are designed as universal components that can be attached to multiple different instruments and probes. The standardized mounting interface allows a single sensor to serve multiple functions across different medical procedures and instrument types, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If EM sensors are permanently attached to instruments, then tracking reliability is improved, but cost-prohibitive for routine use
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recovery and reuse of the expensive EM sensor component after each procedure. The sensor is detached from the disposable or reusable instrument, sterilized or stored for future use, allowing the same sensor to serve multiple procedures. This recovers the high initial cost over time, making the technology economically viable for routine use while maintaining tracking reliability through consistent sensor performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If removable sensors are used on probes, then cost is reduced, but attachment security and ergonomics become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting interface is pre-configured with alignment features, guide pins, or magnetic orientation that automatically guides the sensor into the correct position during attachment. This preliminary preparation of the mounting mechanism ensures secure and ergonomic attachment without requiring complex manual alignment procedures, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining cost effectiveness.
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 enables significant cost reduction per procedure by allowing the reuse of EM sensors, making EM technology more accessible and affordable for image fusion and guidance in medical procedures, while maintaining accuracy and safety through proper registration and navigation.
Implementation Method 1
These tracking systems use the attenuation of oriented electromagnetic signals to determine the absolute position and orientation of a sensor, relative to a source, e.g., a magnetic field generator
Implementation Method 2
the position and orientation of the sensor coils can be calculated by the system via triangulation techniques
Data Source
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Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.