Volumetric Rendering Medical Device Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical device navigation systems, such as those using fluoroscopic imaging and three-dimensional models generated from two-dimensional image slices, are inadequate as they expose patients and clinicians to high-energy radiation and misidentify tissue structures, losing nuanced local information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a position sensing system outside the body to generate a position signal for a medical device within a coordinate system, registering a volumetric data set and generating a three-dimensional volumetric rendering to accurately display the device's position within the region of interest, using techniques like ray-casting and superimposition of the device's representation on the rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic imaging is used to track medical device position, then position tracking is achieved, but patient and clinician are exposed to high-energy electromagnetic radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging (electromagnetic radiation-based) with an electromagnetic field-based position sensing system. Position sensors on the medical device detect electromagnetic fields generated by the sensing system to determine device position, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation while maintaining position tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the position sensing system and the medical device. The electromagnetic field serves as a carrier to transmit position information without requiring direct radiation exposure to patients and clinicians
2Shape
If conventional three-dimensional display systems use segmentation to create polygonal mesh models, then three-dimensional visualization is achieved, but nuanced local information about tissue types and thicknesses is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a volumetric copy of the anatomical region that preserves all original data including tissue types, thicknesses, and local characteristics. This volumetric representation maintains the complete information set from the original imaging data without the information loss inherent in segmentation and mesh generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image segmentation to three-dimensional volumetric rendering. By preserving and visualizing data in the third dimension, the system maintains local tissue information that would be lost in conventional 2D-based 3D reconstruction methods
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 provides a more accurate and realistic image of the medical device's position and the region of interest, enhancing navigation and structure identification for clinicians, while minimizing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a position sensing system disposed outside of the body and configured to interact with a position sensor on the medical device upon generation of at least one of an electric field and a magnetic field. The position sensor generates a position signal indicative of the position of the medical device within a coordinate system.
Data Source
AI summary
An system and method for displaying a position of a medical device disposed within a region of interest in a body are provided. The system includes a position sensing system disposed outside of the body and configured to interact with a position sensor on the medical device upon generation of an electric and/or magnetic field. The sensor generates a position signal indicative of the position of the device within a coordinate system. The system further includes an electronic control unit comprising a registration module for registering a volumetric data set within the coordinate system. The unit further comprises a generation module for generating a volumetric rendering of the region of interest from the volumetric data set and a superimposition module for superimposing a representation of the medical device on the volumetric rendering responsive to the position signal.