Sensor Sleeve for Medical Tool Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for medical tools, such as bronchoscopes, lack improvements in sensor technology and attachment methods, which can hinder precise location determination and visualization within the body.
Innovation Solution
The development of sensor sleeves with tubular bodies made from flexible biocompatible materials, equipped with various sensors like EM, ultrasound, and optical sensors, and attachment mechanisms like o-rings and adhesive pads, which can be retrofitted onto surgical tools to enhance navigation and visualization capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on medical tools for navigation, then location determination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor sleeve is designed to slide over and enclose the medical tool, with sensors nested on the outer surface of the sleeve. This allows sensors to be added without modifying the tool itself, resolving the contradiction by nesting the sensing functionality in an external layer that maintains tool simplicity while enabling precise location determination through electromagnetic, ultrasound, or optical sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the navigation system and the medical tool. It provides a standardized interface with cabling and connectors that mediate the connection between sensors and the navigation system, reducing device complexity by creating a universal interface layer that simplifies integration
2Ease of operation
If sensor sleeves are made from flexible biocompatible materials, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor sleeve is constructed from flexible biocompatible materials such as silicone rubber or polyurethane, allowing it to conform to various tool shapes and patient anatomy. This flexibility improves ease of operation during medical procedures while the modular design with standardized sensor mounting surfaces maintains adequate manufacturing precision through injection molding or extrusion processes
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor sleeve is divided into segmented sections with sensors mounted on discrete segments. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured separately with controlled precision, then assembled into the final flexible structure, balancing manufacturing capabilities with operational flexibility requirements
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are attached to the tubular body, then tracking and imaging capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor sleeve is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of sensors (electromagnetic, ultrasound, optical) on its outer surface. This multi-functional design improves tracking and imaging capabilities by enabling simultaneous use of different sensor modalities while maintaining a single standardized sleeve structure that reduces overall device complexity through design unification
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tubular body is made from flexible material, then adaptability to various surgical tools is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor sleeve employs composite material construction, combining flexible biocompatible polymers with embedded reinforcement elements such as braided wires or fabric layers. This composite structure provides sufficient structural strength to maintain sensor alignment and sleeve shape while retaining the flexibility needed to adapt to various surgical tool diameters and shapes
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
These sensor sleeves provide improved tracking and imaging capabilities, enabling more precise navigation and visualization during medical procedures, and can be adapted for various surgical tools beyond bronchoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
One method for determining the physical location of the bronchoscope is through the use of sensors placed on a tool or catheter utilized with the bronchoscope. An example system that utilizes such sensors is the ILOGIC ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION BRONCHOSCOPY (ENB) system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for using sensor sleeves with surgical tools. In an aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor sleeve includes a tubular body defining a central longitudinal axis and having a lumen defined therethrough, the tubular body being configured to receive a tool, a plurality sensors attached to the tubular body, a cabling extending distally from the tubular body, and an interface connector coupled to the cabling and configured to interface with a navigation system.