Source Electrode Localization in Conductive Volumes via Voltage Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems within conductive volumes, such as the human body, face challenges with accuracy and real-time applications, particularly in tracking objects like catheters during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plurality of sensors distributed across the conductive volume, with known spatial coordinates, generates an electric field to determine the location of a source electrode by minimizing differences in source voltages measured by sensor pairs, using geometry data and electrical measurement data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic systems, optical systems, magnetic systems, or acoustic systems are used to track instruments, then navigation capability is provided, but measurement precision and real-time performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic, optical, magnetic, or acoustic tracking systems with an electrical field-based localization system. By injecting current through a source electrode and measuring voltage responses at multiple body surface electrodes, the system calculates instrument position using electrical impedance properties of body tissues, achieving both high precision and real-time performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes electrical parameters (current injection amplitude, frequency, and electrode configurations) to optimize localization accuracy and response time. By adjusting these parameters based on tissue conductivity characteristics and measurement quality, the system maintains high precision while ensuring real-time operation
2Measurement precision
If sensors are distributed across the conductive volume to improve localization accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body surface electrodes serve multiple functions: they act as both current injection electrodes and voltage measurement electrodes. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of electrodes required compared to systems where sensing and stimulation electrodes are separate, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high localization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional spatial arrangement of body surface electrodes to achieve accurate 3D localization of instruments within the conductive volume. By leveraging the spatial distribution and known positions of electrodes on the body surface, the system calculates instrument position in three dimensions without requiring physical sensors at every location, reducing overall system complexity
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 enables precise localization of objects within conductive volumes, facilitating accurate navigation and visualization of their position within the body, enhancing procedural accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A source electrode is positioned within the conductive volume at a location that is to be determined. A signal generator is to supply electrical energy to the source electrode, corresponding to a source voltage, which generates an electric field.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of sensors configured to sense electrical activity at locations distributed across an outer surface of a conductive volume
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes applying a localization signal to a source electrode positioned within a conductive volume and a ground electrode at a known location. Electrical activity is sensed at a plurality of sensor electrodes distributed across an outer surface of the conductive volume. The locations of each of the sensor electrodes and the location of the ground electrode being stored in memory as part of geometry data. The electrical activity sensed at each of the sensor electrodes is stored in the memory as electrical measurement data. The method also includes computing a location of the source electrode by minimizing a difference between respective pairs of source voltages determined for the plurality of sensor electrodes. The source voltage for each of the sensor electrodes is determined based on the electrical measurement data and the geometry data.