Integrated Treatment Probe Tracking for Ultrasound Image Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking sensors for treatment probes during surgical procedures are not firmly attached, leading to inaccurate location tracking due to movement relative to the probe, and they are often interfered with by therapeutic energy or interfere with it, compromising the accuracy and reliability of the tracking system.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a tracking sensor on the treatment probe, such as an antenna, with cable management configurations and cooling mechanisms to ensure precise location tracking, and the use of EM field generators for real-time navigation and ultrasound imaging to overlay graphical representations on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tracking sensor is attached to the treatment probe, then the location of the treatment probe can be tracked, but the tracking sensor moves with respect to the treatment probe leading to insufficient tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking sensor is integrated directly into the treatment probe structure, merging two previously separate components (tracking sensor and treatment probe) into a single unified device. This integration ensures that the tracking sensor and treatment probe move together as one unit, eliminating relative movement and ensuring accurate tracking throughout the surgical procedure.
2Measurement precision
If the tracking sensor is integrated into the treatment probe, then tracking accuracy is improved, but the therapeutic energy may interfere with the tracking sensor or vice versa
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment probe is divided into distinct functional sections with the tracking sensor, antenna, and cooling mechanisms positioned in separate spatial zones. The tracking sensor is located in a region shielded from the high-energy electromagnetic field generated by the antenna, while the cooling inflow tube provides thermal management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflow tube serving as a cooling mechanism acts as an intermediary structure between the antenna and the tracking sensor. It provides both thermal management for the antenna and serves as a mounting structure for the tracking sensor, physically separating the sensor from the high-energy electromagnetic environment while ensuring proper cooling of the antenna.
3Temperature
If the antenna is cooled by inflow tube wrapping, then thermal management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflow tube is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers cooling fluid to manage antenna temperature, provides structural support for the antenna, and serves as the mounting platform for the tracking sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the sophisticated cooling requirements.
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, real-time tracking and imaging of the treatment probe during surgical procedures, ensuring precise navigation and minimizing interference from therapeutic energy, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first tracking sensor configured to track a location of a distal tip of the antenna
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound imaging device configured to generate ultrasound images
Implementation Method 3
The treatment probe further includes an inflow tube configured to wrap around a portion of the antenna and to cool down the antenna
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A tracking and treatment system (10) includes an energy source configured to generate therapeutic energy, a treatment probe (130) including an antenna, an ultrasound imaging device (140), a first tracking sensor (131) configured to track the distal tip of the antenna, a second tracking sensor (141) configured to track a location of the ultrasound imaging device, and a tracking system (100) configured to receive location information from the first and second tracking sensors and to overlay the ultrasound images with a graphical representation of the treatment probe on a display based on the location information. The first tracking sensor is either integrated in the antenna, or affixed to a hub. A further aspect relates to the system comprising a disposable cable configured to provide therapeutic energy to the antenna, and a reusable cable configured to connect the disposable cable to the energy source.