Spectral X-Ray Needle Markers for Double-Oblique Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing invasive medical procedures face challenges in accurately determining the position of needles with double-oblique trajectories and differentiating multiple needles due to limitations in CT imaging and the need for expensive optical or electromagnetic navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing spectral X-ray imaging with instruments featuring X-ray marker areas of varying absorption properties to track needle positions without additional tracking systems, enabling precise determination and display of positioning information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thin tomographic images are used for CT needle guidance, then image acquisition is simple and fast, but needle position detection precision deteriorates for double-oblique trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spectral X-ray imaging with different energy levels to create distinct visual representations of X-ray absorbing structures at different energies. This allows the needle and its markers to be clearly differentiated from surrounding tissues and other needles, solving the problem of detecting needle position in double-oblique trajectories while maintaining fast image acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spectral X-ray imaging with varying energy parameters to enhance the contrast and detectability of needle markers. By analyzing X-ray absorption at different energy levels, the system can precisely determine needle position and orientation without requiring thicker tomographic slices, thus maintaining fast acquisition while improving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple needles are used in multi-needle procedures, then treatment completeness is improved, but needle differentiation in CT images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spectral X-ray imaging to create energy-dependent visual differences between needles. Each needle can be differentiated by its unique spectral signature or by using markers with different absorption characteristics at different energy levels, allowing clear differentiation of multiple needles in the same field of view while maintaining treatment completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the needle into multiple segments with different X-ray absorbing structures or markers at different locations. This segmentation allows each needle to have a unique spectral or spatial pattern that enables differentiation from other needles, while all needles can still be used for complete tumor ablation.
3Measurement precision
If optical or electromagnetic navigation systems are used for needle guidance, then positioning information accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the needle itself self-tracking by integrating X-ray absorbing markers directly onto the needle structure. The needle automatically provides its own positioning information through its spectral X-ray absorption characteristics, eliminating the need for separate optical or electromagnetic tracking systems while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning function with the treatment instrument by integrating X-ray absorbing markers directly onto the needle. This combines the therapeutic function and the tracking function into a single integrated system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through spectral X-ray imaging.
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
Enables accurate and efficient tracking of needle positions in real-time, simplifying invasive procedures by eliminating the need for separate tracking systems and enhancing the differentiation of multiple needles.
Implementation Method 1
areas with different spectral X-ray absorption properties... X-ray marker areas which are configured such that the X-ray marker areas each have different absorption properties for X-radiation with different energy spectra
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument for invasive use has an X-ray marker arrangement with at least two X-ray marker areas. The X-ray marker areas are configured to have different absorption properties for X-radiation with different energy spectra, and the X-ray marker areas are arranged successively on the medical instrument with regard to a predetermined spatial direction.