Virtual Interface for Magnetic Medical Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic navigation systems for medical devices face challenges in allowing physicians to accurately visualize and control the orientation of the distal end of medical devices within a patient's body, particularly due to lag between the applied magnetic field direction and the actual device direction, making it difficult to specify and apply the correct magnetic field for precise device orientation.
Innovation Solution
A virtual device interface is introduced, which uses a physical or computational model of the medical device for real-time interactive control, allowing users to manipulate a virtual representation of the device's distal end to specify desired configurations and orientations, and then applies the necessary controls to align the actual device accordingly, using inputs from devices like joysticks and displaying images to facilitate accurate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic navigation systems are used to remotely control medical devices, then device flexibility and thinness are improved, but control precision and real-time responsiveness deteriorate due to lag between applied field and actual device direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and displays the required magnetic field direction in advance, allowing the physician to see the predicted device orientation before applying the field. This preliminary visualization enables the physician to anticipate the device position and make more accurate control decisions, compensating for the inherent lag in magnetic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying both the current device position and the predicted position after applying a magnetic field. This feedback loop allows the physician to adjust control inputs based on observed device behavior, improving precision despite the lag between field application and device response.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic navigation systems are used to remotely control medical devices, then device flexibility and thinness are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in visualizing procedure site and controlling device orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a virtual device model as an intermediary between the physician and the actual medical device. This virtual model provides an intuitive visual representation of device orientation and configuration, making it easier for the physician to understand and control the device's position and direction without directly observing the procedure site inside the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a visual dimension to control by displaying three-dimensional device orientation and position information on a two-dimensional screen. This dimensional transformation provides the physician with comprehensive spatial awareness of the device configuration, enabling more intuitive control compared to traditional mechanical manipulation alone.
3Extent of automation
If traditional magnetic navigation control is used, then device remote control capability is achieved, but time consumption increases due to mental calculation required to account for lag between field direction and device direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the physician's mental calculation process with automated computer-based calculations. The system automatically computes the required magnetic field direction and predicted device orientation, eliminating the time-consuming mental arithmetic that physicians previously had to perform to account for the lag between field application and device response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the required magnetic field direction and predicted device position before the physician applies control inputs. This advance computation provides the physician with ready-to-use control information, eliminating the time delay that would otherwise be spent on-site calculations and mental adjustments.
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 solution enables faster and more intuitive control of medical devices, allowing users to visualize and achieve desired configurations before applying control variables, improving the accuracy and ease of use compared to existing systems, and can be applied to various types of remotely controllable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic navigation systems have been developed which apply a controlled magnetic field to an operating region in a subject, to orient a magnetically responsive element on a medical device in the operating region
Implementation Method 2
magnetic navigation systems have been developed which apply a controlled magnetic field to an operating region in a subject, to orient a magnetically responsive element on a medical device
Data Source
AI summary
An interface system and method for controlling a magnetic surgery system by displaying a virtual image of the device, adjusting the configuration of the device or the actuation controls to be applied to the device until the configuration of the displayed device assumes the configuration desired by the user, or selecting a desired target location for the tip, and causing a set of actuation controls to be applied to the actual device to cause the actual device to assume the configuration of the virtual device or to steer the device tip to the desired location.