Wireless Catheter Positioning via Magnetic Field Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter placement methods, particularly those using X-ray machines, are inconvenient due to their size, energy consumption, and radiation exposure, making it difficult for healthcare providers to accurately position catheters within the body, which can lead to patient harm from incorrect placement.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive medical device position guidance system that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to communicate with an invasive medical device, providing visual or audio feedback on the device's position relative to the noninvasive device, allowing for accurate placement without the need for large X-ray machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray machines are used to guide catheter placement, then the position of the catheter can be visualized, but the device becomes large, heavy, and requires significant energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical X-ray imaging system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The invasive device contains a sensor that detects magnetic field strength and orientation, eliminating the need for heavy X-ray equipment while maintaining position guidance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified model of the body's magnetic field environment using external magnets or magnetic field generators. Instead of imaging the actual catheter position with X-rays, the system uses the catheter's interaction with the magnetic field to infer its position, providing a functional copy of the positioning information.
2Measurement precision
If X-ray machines are used for catheter placement guidance, then real-time position information is obtained, but the patient is exposed to high levels of radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes ionizing radiation-based X-ray imaging with non-ionizing magnetic field sensing. The magnetic field interacts with the catheter's magnetic sensor without causing radiation damage to the patient, eliminating the harmful radiation exposure while maintaining real-time position monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If X-ray machines are used for catheter procedures, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning system into two segments: a simple sensor embedded in the catheter and an external magnetic field generation/detection system. This segmentation allows the complex magnetic field control to be separated from the invasive catheter, reducing the complexity of the implanted device while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the catheter and the positioning system. Instead of directly imaging the catheter with complex X-ray equipment, the magnetic field serves as a mediator that interacts with the catheter's magnetic sensor to provide positioning information through simpler detection methods.
4Productivity
If traditional catheter placement methods are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the risk of erroneous placement and patient harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring the magnetic field interaction between the external magnetic system and the catheter's magnetic sensor. This provides ongoing position information to the operator, allowing immediate correction of placement errors and ensuring the catheter reaches the correct position, thereby improving reliability.
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 and safe placement of catheters by providing real-time positional feedback, reducing the risk of injury and infection associated with incorrect placement, while being portable and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field is used to gather information about the position of the invasive device relative to the noninvasive device
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic field is used to gather information about the position of the invasive device relative to the noninvasive device
Implementation Method 3
Radio waves are used to communicate this information between the noninvasive device and the invasive device
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device position guidance system having a noninvasive medical device communicable with an invasive medical device. The system provides outputs useful to assess the position of an invasive medical device in an animal, such as a human. A magnetic field is used to gather information about the position of the invasive device. Radio waves are used to communicate this information between the noninvasive device and the invasive device.