Reusable Handle Position Sensor for ENT Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for tracking the position of ENT tools within a patient's body are costly and complex, particularly in procedures like sinuplasty, where disposable tools require frequent recalibration of position sensors, leading to increased costs and procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A reusable handle with a position sensor and a processor that estimates the position of a disposable ENT tool using an offset vector stored on an RFID tag, allowing the same sensor to be reused across multiple procedures and reducing the need for recalibration, while the handle is made from lightweight biocompatible materials like titanium to minimize weight and interference from external radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position sensors are mounted on disposable ENT tools, then position tracking is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase due to frequent sensor replacement and recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the ENT device into disposable (ENT tool) and reusable (handle with position sensor) components. The position sensor is segmented from the disposable tool and placed on the reusable handle, eliminating the need to replace sensors with each disposable tool. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining position tracking capability while reducing device complexity associated with frequent sensor replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable handle with position sensor serves multiple procedures and multiple disposable ENT tools. The position sensor on the handle is universally applicable across different ENT tools through the offset vector calibration method, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors on each disposable tool. This universality reduces both device cost and recalibration complexity.
2Measurement precision
If position sensors are recalibrated for each disposable tool, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset vector between the position sensor and ENT tool tip is pre-calibrated and stored in memory before the procedure. This preliminary calibration action eliminates the need for time-consuming recalibration during each procedure, while maintaining measurement accuracy through the stored offset values that are applied during use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically recalibrating the sensor for each tool, the system creates a digital copy of the calibration data (offset vector) and stores it in memory. This copied calibration information is then retrieved and applied automatically, maintaining measurement precision without the time loss of physical recalibration procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the handle is made from dense shielding materials, then external radiation interference is blocked, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle uses composite construction combining lightweight materials (such as titanium or aluminum alloys) with strategic radiation shielding elements positioned only where necessary to protect the position sensor. This composite approach provides adequate radiation protection while minimizing overall handle weight compared to using dense shielding materials throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Radiation shielding is applied locally only in the regions where the position sensor is located and where external radiation interference is most problematic, rather than throughout the entire handle. This localized shielding approach provides necessary protection against harmful radiation while keeping the overall device weight minimal.
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
This approach reduces the physical weight and cost of ENT devices, allows for the reuse of position sensors, and enables efficient tracking of ENT tools across different procedures without recalibration, thereby shortening procedure time and minimizing disposable elements.
Implementation Method 1
The remotely readable memory includes a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag
Implementation Method 2
A field generator may be associated with one of the units for generating a position characteristic field in an area including the target operation site. One or more field sensors may be associated with either of the units responsive to the presence of the position characteristic field for producing one or more sensor output signals representative of said sensed field
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A medical device (50) includes a disposable Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) tool (28), a reusable handle (30), and a processor (34). The ENT tool (28) is configured to perform a medical procedure in a patient ENT organ. The reusable handle (30) is configured to hold and control the disposable ENT tool (28), and includes a position sensor (54) configured to produce one or more position signals that are indicative of a first position of the reusable handle (30). The processor (34) is configured to receive the position signals from the position sensor (54), and to estimate, based on the position signals, a second position of the disposable ENT tool (28) in the patient ENT organ.