Rotating Echogenic Marker for Ultrasound Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging methods for medical devices within the body face challenges such as image noise and difficulty in precisely locating devices due to lack of clarity and movement, especially when using echogenic markers, which can be exacerbated by the need for precise positioning of the ultrasound transducer.
Innovation Solution
The development of a rotating echogenic marker, such as a paddle with enhanced surfaces, that uses Doppler mode ultrasound and varying rotation rates to create a 'blinking' effect, enhancing visibility by altering signal intensity and frequency, allowing for better differentiation from surrounding tissue and body parts, and potentially powered by ultrasound energy to eliminate the need for external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If echogenic markers are applied to medical devices to increase visibility, then the echogenicity of the device is improved, but image noise increases and differentiation between device and tissue becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the echogenic marker rotatable rather than static. The marker can rotate about its longitudinal axis, creating dynamic motion that generates distinctive Doppler ultrasound signals. This rotational movement allows the marker to produce time-varying echogenic patterns that differentiate it from stationary tissue structures, thereby improving visibility without increasing image noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Periodic action through the rotational motion of the echogenic marker. The marker rotates at controlled rates to create periodic echogenic signals that repeat at predictable intervals. This periodicity allows ultrasound imaging systems to distinguish the marker from random tissue noise by identifying the characteristic repeating pattern, thus enhancing differentiation while maintaining image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasound imaging is used to locate medical devices, then ionizing radiation exposure is reduced, but image clarity and precision are compromised due to noise and tissue movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating echogenic marker creates dynamic signals that stand out against the relatively static background of body tissues. The continuous rotational motion generates time-varying echogenic patterns that are easily distinguishable from stationary anatomical structures, thereby improving measurement precision and image clarity without requiring ionizing radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes Doppler mode ultrasound which displays motion-related information in color. The rotating marker produces color-coded Doppler signals that visually differentiate it from grayscale tissue images. This color differentiation enhances image clarity by providing a distinct visual contrast between the medical device and surrounding tissues.
3Measurement precision
If precise positioning of the ultrasound transducer is required to obtain usable images, then image quality is improved, but the complexity and difficulty of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating marker provides dynamic echogenic signals that maintain visibility across a range of transducer positions and angles. Unlike static markers that require precise alignment, the rotating marker generates continuous motion signals that remain detectable even when the transducer position varies, thereby reducing procedure complexity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating marker changes its echogenic parameters (signal intensity, frequency, phase) continuously during rotation. This parameter variation creates a distinctive temporal pattern that enhances detectability and reduces the need for precise transducer positioning, as the marker remains identifiable through its characteristic signal modulation regardless of slight positioning variations.
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 solution improves the clarity and precision of ultrasound imaging by creating a dynamic, easily identifiable marker that can be accurately positioned relative to body tissues and organs, reducing the need for ionizing radiation and allowing bedside procedures, while also addressing concerns about battery life and toxicity.
Implementation Method 1
The Doppler shift from the rotating paddle generates an image with varying characteristic properties (i.e. varied intensity, frequency content, phase information, etc., including a single property or any combination of several properties, which creates a 'blinking')
Implementation Method 2
potentially powered by ultrasound energy to eliminate the need for external power sources
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
Devices and methods for enhancing observability under ultrasound imaging of medical devices include temporal markers which are dynamic, producing a variable ultrasound image over time. Included are rotating markers which produce a Doppler shift visible through ultrasound imaging in a Doppler mode and which enhance visibility of the marker. Other devices and methods include alternating streams of fluid contrast agents and saline as well as destroying a fluid contrast agent stream with a high intensity ultrasound pulse.