Ultrasound Doppler Localization of Vibrating Medical Device Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonography techniques face limitations in providing high precision images of medical devices like catheters and instruments due to acoustic shadowing and artifacts, making it difficult to accurately locate specific parts, such as the tip, within the body during real-time imaging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a medical device with a vibratory element, where the ultrasonic imaging system generates real-time Doppler mode images to highlight the location of the device, adjusting frequencies and coloration to differentiate between device parts and surrounding tissues, allowing for precise identification of the distal end within scan data slices based on predefined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonography is used to image medical devices, then real-time structural images with high spatial resolution are obtained, but acoustic shadowing and artifacts prevent precise identification of specific device locations such as the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the medical device (catheter or instrument) to create oscillatory motion that generates detectable Doppler signals. The vibratory element attached to the distal end of the device produces controlled vibrations that are picked up by the ultrasound transducer, enabling precise localization of the device tip despite acoustic shadowing from the device body. This vibration-based approach converts the harmful acoustic shadowing problem into a detectable signal advantage.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the echogenicity of the medical device is improved by manipulating surface characteristics or introducing contrast agents, then device visibility is enhanced, but the complexity of the device and procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying device surface characteristics or introducing contrast agents, the patent uses a simple vibratory element attached to the device that generates mechanical vibrations. This approach enhances device detectability through Doppler signal generation without requiring complex surface treatments, multiple contrast agents, or complicated procedural steps. The vibratory element provides a straightforward mechanism for improving visibility while maintaining relative simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If Doppler mode ultrasound imaging is used to locate the medical device, then the location can be identified through vibration detection, but differentiation between device parts and surrounding tissue motion is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the vibratory element at the distal end (tip) of the medical device. This localized vibration source creates a distinct Doppler signal pattern that differs from the distributed motion of surrounding tissues. The concentrated vibration at a specific location enables the ultrasound system to differentiate the device tip from tissue motion based on the localized, high-frequency vibrational signature, solving the information loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic vibration characteristics to differentiate the medical device from surrounding tissues. The controlled oscillatory motion of the vibratory element creates time-varying Doppler signals with specific frequency and amplitude characteristics that distinguish device vibration from physiological tissue motion. This dynamic approach allows real-time differentiation based on motion patterns rather than static properties.
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 enhances the visibility and precise localization of medical devices in vivo, improving the accuracy of minimally invasive procedures and monitoring internal tissue conditions by providing clear color contrast and automatic tracking of the device's tip during 2D and 3D ultrasound scans.
Implementation Method 1
echo is also able to detect relative physical motion by exploiting the Doppler effect
Implementation Method 2
a medical device with a vibratory element, where the ultrasonic imaging system generates real-time Doppler mode images to highlight the location of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for locating a medical device in vivo includes an ultrasound scanner having a scan head and being capable of operating in a 3D Doppler mode, a medical device having a distal end configured to be inserted in vivo, and a vibratory element coupled to the medical device to induce vibrations in the first distal end. When the scan head is positioned over the distal end inserted in vivo to obtain scan data of the tissue volume, the ultrasound scanner is configured to generate 3D Doppler data in the form of a plurality of slices from the scan data and to identify a location of the distal end within the slices based upon localized data within one of the slices meeting predetermined criteria.