Extending Tracking Volume via Movable Bed Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems for invasive probes within medical tomographic imaging systems have limited tracking volumes, which can be insufficient for procedures requiring probe tracking from insertion points to deeper locations within the body, such as from the femoral vein to the heart, as they are confined to the bore of the imaging apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes the movable bed and registration between imaging and tracking coordinate frames to extend the tracking volume by controlling the bed's movement in response to probe motion, ensuring the probe remains within the tracking and imaging volume, thereby providing accurate location information throughout the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tracking system is confined to the bore of the imaging apparatus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the tracking volume is limited and insufficient for procedures requiring tracking from insertion points to deeper locations
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bed acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed tracking apparatus and the patient's body. By moving the bed in response to probe advancement, the system extends the effective tracking volume without requiring a larger fixed tracking apparatus, thus resolving the contradiction between tracking volume and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static tracking volume to a dynamic tracking volume by continuously adjusting the bed position based on probe location. This dynamic adjustment allows the tracking volume to effectively expand to follow the probe throughout the patient's body, solving the limitation of fixed tracking volume
2Reliability
If the bed is moved continuously to track probe advancement, then the probe remains within tracking volume, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where the bed movement is automatically adjusted based on real-time probe position data. The controller receives probe location information and commands the bed to move accordingly, maintaining the probe within the tracking volume while simplifying the control process through automated feedback loops
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using the existing movable bed mechanism to perform the tracking function. Rather than adding a separate complex tracking system, the bed's inherent mobility is utilized to maintain probe visibility, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable tracking
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 effectively enlarges the tracking volume beyond the physical limits of the tracking apparatus, allowing continuous and accurate tracking of invasive probes during procedures, without additional costs, by synchronizing bed movement with probe advancement, ensuring the probe remains within the imaging and tracking volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of field generators produce AC magnetic fields, which are detected by a plurality of sensors at the distal end of an invasive medical instrument
Implementation Method 2
A coil in the probe may be used as a position sensor to derive the location and orientation of the distal end of the probe from signals generated when the coil is in an alternating magnetic field having a known spatial distribution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A medical system, includes an imaging apparatus, which includes an array of detectors, which define an imaging volume and form images of a region within a body of a patient that is positioned in the imaging volume. A movable bed transports the body of the patient through the imaging volume. An invasive probe is inserted into a lumen within the body of the patient. A tracking apparatus includes a field transducer positioned in the imaging apparatus and defining a tracking volume within the imaging apparatus, and generates an indication of a location of the invasive probe within the tracking volume responsively to an interaction between the field transducer and the invasive probe. A controller controls the movable bed in response to the location of the invasive probe indicated by the tracking apparatus.