Electromagnetic TIPS Needle Guidance System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current TIPS procedures are inefficient due to their reliance on blind needle insertion, leading to inaccurate targeting of vessels, high radiation exposure, and excessive use of contrast agents, which increases procedure time and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

An image-guided system utilizing electromagnetic tracking or other position sensors to register needle placement with pre-obtained images, allowing real-time tracking and adjustment of needle trajectory to ensure accurate targeting of the portal vein, reducing the need for fluoroscopy and contrast agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fluoroscopy and contrast agents are used to guide needle placement, then the procedure can be performed with conventional blind needle insertion, but radiation exposure and contrast agent use increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of needle insertionVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fluoroscopy-based guidance system with an electromagnetic tracking system that uses magnetic fields to track the needle's position and orientation in real-time, eliminating the need for continuous fluoroscopy exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic markers as intermediaries attached to the needle, which interact with the electromagnetic tracking system to provide indirect but continuous position feedback without requiring direct visual or radiological observation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If blind needle insertion is used, then the procedure setup is simple, but the accuracy of needle placement and targeting is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of procedure setupVSAvoidaccuracy of needle placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback through an electromagnetic tracking system that continuously monitors needle position and orientation, providing immediate information to the operator to adjust and refine needle placement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds spatial dimensionality to needle guidance by using three-dimensional electromagnetic tracking coordinates, transforming the blind one-dimensional insertion process into a precisely controlled multi-dimensional navigation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If multiple needle passes are made to achieve correct trajectory, then the procedure can be completed, but the procedure time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess of shunt establishmentVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary planning of the optimal needle trajectory using electromagnetic tracking data and imaging, allowing the operator to execute a single correct pass rather than multiple trial passes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If high doses of contrast agent are delivered, then vessel visualization is improved, but kidney function may be interfered with and side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel visualizationVSAvoidkidney function interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes contrast agent-based visualization with electromagnetic tracking technology that provides real-time positional data without requiring contrast media injection, eliminating the associated renal risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of TIPS procedures by providing real-time feedback on needle placement, minimizing radiation exposure, and reducing procedure time, thereby improving patient safety and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a position sensor/tracking device such as, for example, an electromagnetic tracking device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic tracking: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2400912B1System and devices for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures

Publication Date: 2017.05.24 PHILIPS ELECTRONICS LTD

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AI summary

The invention provides systems and methods for assisting/performing image-guided transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures in a portion of an anatomy of a patient, including a guide needle portion comprising a hollow tube having a bend toward its distal tip and a puncture needle portion that includes at least one position indicating element at its tip. The puncture needle is slidably mounted within the hollow tube of the guide needle such that a distal tip of the puncture needle can be extended from an opening in the distal tip of the guide needle and used to place a shunt between the portal and hepatic veins of a patient. The position indicating element of the puncture needle is used to produce a display of the puncture needle relative to a target vessel, including a projected path of the puncture needle that can be adjusted to accurately locate a shunt.