TEE Probe Hybrid Robotic Control for Reliable View Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probes face challenges in achieving desired views due to mechanical joints, unintuitive visual feedback, and disjointed hand-eye coordination, leading to potential esophageal perforation and inefficiencies in cardiac interventions.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid robotic control system for TEE probes that combines electronic beam steering and mechanical joints, using iterative adjustments and reference images to automate the positioning process, ensuring safer and faster attainment of desired views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual manipulation of TEE probe with mechanical joints is used, then flexibility in positioning is achieved, but risk of esophageal perforation increases and operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in positioningVSAvoidrisk of esophageal perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated robotic control system that uses electronic beam steering instead of mechanical joint adjustments. The robotic system controls the TEE probe positioning through computer-generated commands, eliminating manual handling risks while maintaining positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements real-time visual feedback through the ultrasound imaging system, allowing the operator to see the exact position and orientation of the probe tip in the esophagus. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning without manual manipulation, reducing the risk of perforation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple degrees of control are used to achieve desired views, then positioning flexibility is improved, but difficulty in manipulating controls increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoiddifficulty in manipulating controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with electronic beam steering and robotic automation. Instead of manually adjusting multiple mechanical joints, the system uses electronic controls to steer the ultrasound beam and position the probe, significantly simplifying the operation interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computer control system as an intermediary between the operator and the TEE probe controls. This intermediary translates simple user commands into precise probe positioning and beam steering, eliminating the need to directly manipulate complex mechanical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If iterative adjustment process is used to achieve target view, then view acquisition reliability is improved, but time required for view acquisition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveview acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidtime for view acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary positioning of the TEE probe using robotic control to get close to the target view before initiating the iterative adjustment process. This preliminary action reduces the number of iterations needed, thereby reducing total time while maintaining reliability through systematic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the system to adaptively modify probe position and beam steering parameters in real-time based on feedback from the ultrasound images. This dynamic approach optimizes the iterative process to achieve target views faster while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system enhances safety and ease of operation by providing deterministic and reliable view acquisition, reducing the risk of esophageal injury and improving procedural efficiency in cardiac interventions.

Implementation Method 1

ultrasonic transducers on a distal end of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4072429B1Hybrid robotic-image plane control of a TEE probe

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

The following relates generally to systems and methods of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) automation. Some aspects relate to a TEE probe with ultrasonic transducers on a distal end of the TEE probe. In some implementations, if a target is in a field of view (FOV) of the ultrasonic transducers, an electronic beam steering of the probe is adjusted; if the target is at an edge of the FOV, both the electronic beam steering and mechanical joints of the probe are adjusted; and if the target is not in the FOV, only the mechanical joints of the probe are adjusted.