Synchronized Tracking of Multiple Interventional Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interventional medical devices are poorly visible in ultrasound images due to the lack of echogenic properties, hindering their localization and tracking during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a controller system that synchronizes timing information from an ultrasound probe with sensor information from passive ultrasound sensors on multiple interventional medical devices, allowing for simultaneous tracking and enhanced visualization within ultrasound imagery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single ultrasound probe is used to track interventional medical devices, then the system complexity is low, but the ability to track multiple devices simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to track multiple devicesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to handle multiple interventional medical devices through a unified tracking system. The system uses a single ultrasound probe that can track multiple passive ultrasound sensors attached to different devices, allowing one system to perform multiple tracking functions simultaneously without requiring separate tracking systems for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Passive ultrasound sensors serve as intermediaries between the ultrasound probe and the interventional medical devices. These sensors are attached to the devices and reflect ultrasound beams, enabling the probe to detect device positions indirectly through the sensor reflections, thus facilitating multi-device tracking without direct probe-device interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If passive ultrasound sensors are attached to interventional medical devices, then the visibility and tracking capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passive ultrasound sensors are designed as disposable components that are attached to interventional medical devices for single-use procedures. These sensors provide the necessary tracking functionality without requiring complex reusable systems, and can be easily discarded after use, reducing the overall complexity burden on the medical device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive ultrasound sensors operate autonomously by reflecting ultrasound beams without requiring external power sources or active electronic components. The sensors simply passively reflect the ultrasound energy back to the probe, eliminating the need for additional power supply systems, control electronics, or calibration mechanisms that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 simultaneous tracking of multiple interventional medical devices, improving their visibility and positioning in real-time ultrasound imaging, which is crucial for various medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The passive ultrasound sensor passively listens to the incident ultrasound waves of the ultrasound beams without responding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a piezo-electric sensor can be applied on an interventional medical device... The passive ultrasound sensor passively listens to the incident ultrasound waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11497563B2Synchronized tracking of multiple interventional medical devices

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A controller (240/340) for simultaneously tracking multiple interventional medical devices includes a memory (242/342) that stores instructions and a processor (241/341) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (241/341), the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving timing information from a first signal emitted from an ultrasound probe (252/352) and reflective of timing when the ultrasound probe (252/352) transmits ultrasound beams to generate ultrasound imagery. The process executed by the controller also includes forwarding the timing information to be available for use by a first acquisition electronic component (232/332). The first acquisition electronic component (232/332) also receives sensor information from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on a first interventional medical device (212/312). The timing information is used to synchronize the sensor information from the first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on the first interventional medical device (212/312) with sensor information from a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) on a second interventional medical device (216/316).