Smartphone Inclinometer Needle Guide Trajectory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for guiding needles during percutaneous procedures in the human body are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring repeated imaging and manual repositioning of the needle to ensure accurate trajectory and depth.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone attachment with an inclinometer-aided needle guide, which includes a guide body with a needle guiding aperture and an inclinometer application to monitor the actual needle guide trajectory and ensure conformance to a planned trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If repeated imaging and manual repositioning are used to ensure accurate needle trajectory, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and trajectory planning before the actual needle insertion procedure. Scout images are obtained and a safe path to the target is determined in advance, including identification of the skin entrance site and calculation of the required needle length. This preliminary planning phase allows the actual procedure to proceed more efficiently with minimal adjustments needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model or plan of the desired needle trajectory based on preliminary imaging data. This planned trajectory serves as a guide that can be referenced during the actual procedure, reducing the need for repeated real-time imaging and manual repositioning adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If repeated imaging is performed to monitor needle position, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system obtains scout images and determines the needle path in advance during a planning phase, before the actual insertion procedure begins. This preliminary imaging step establishes a reference trajectory that guides the subsequent procedure without requiring continuous real-time imaging during needle advancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual representation of the planned needle trajectory based on preliminary imaging data. This virtual model serves as a guide during the actual procedure, allowing clinicians to follow the pre-planned path without needing complex real-time imaging systems continuously active during the procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual repositioning is performed to achieve accurate needle depth, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and determines the precise needle length and insertion depth requirements during the preliminary planning phase. This pre-calculation includes determining the exact skin entrance site and the required needle length to reach the target along the selected safe path, providing clear guidance for the actual procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model of the desired needle trajectory and depth requirements based on preliminary imaging and anatomical considerations. This virtual plan serves as a reference guide during the actual procedure, simplifying the operator's task by providing pre-calculated depth and angle parameters that need to be followed.
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 streamlines the needle placement process by providing real-time feedback on needle trajectory alignment, reducing the need for repeated imaging and manual adjustments, thereby improving procedural efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
An inclinometer application is running on the smartphone. The inclinometer application indicates to a user conformance of the actual needle guide trajectory to the planned needle guide trajectory.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for guiding a needle into a target location of a patient's body are provided. The system includes a planned needle guide trajectory and a guide for removable attachment to a smartphone. The guide includes at least one needle guiding aperture extending substantially perpendicularly to a screen of the smartphone. The needle guiding aperture defines an actual needle guide trajectory. An inclinometer application is running on the smartphone. The inclinometer application indicates to a user conformance of the actual needle guide trajectory to the planned needle guide trajectory.