Wireless Hand-Wearable MRI Scan Plane Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI-guided interventional procedures are limited by the need for optical markers to remain visible, coaxial cables that restrict movement, and fixed scan planes, which hinder the interventionalist's freedom and lead to misregistration and time-consuming manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A wireless hand-wearable device with active markers that transmit position signals to control the MRI system independently of the interventional device, allowing real-time specification of scan planes and image acquisition parameters, enabling intervention-independent control of MRI systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical markers are used for tracking, then the location of the interventional device can be tracked, but the markers must remain visible to cameras which limits the freedom of the interventionalist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical camera-based tracking system with an MRI-based tracking system using fiducial markers. The markers are tracked using MRI signal enhancement rather than optical detection, eliminating the visibility constraints imposed by camera line-of-sight requirements. This allows the interventionalist to move the device freely within the MRI bore while maintaining continuous tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical signals to MRI signal enhancement. By using fiducial markers that enhance MRI signals through specific magnetic properties rather than optical reflectivity, the system enables tracking without the geometric constraints of camera visibility, thereby improving operational freedom while maintaining tracking precision.
2Ease of operation
If passive fiducial marker tracking is used, then the apparatus can be wielded more freely without camera visibility constraints, but the enhanced marker visibility and localization is highly dependent on marker position and orientation parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive fiducial marker tracking with active fiducial marker tracking. The active markers are directly connected to the MR scanner through coaxial cables, allowing the system to actively control and detect the markers rather than relying on passive signal enhancement. This eliminates the dependence on marker position and orientation for signal quality, as the active connection ensures consistent signal reception regardless of marker orientation within the imaging region.
3Reliability
If active fiducial marker tracking with coaxial cables is used, then the markers can be connected to the MR scanner for reliable tracking, but the cables may hinder the interventionalist's ability to freely wield the device and present safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the coaxial cables from the system by transitioning to wireless communication technology. The active fiducial markers communicate with the MR scanner wirelessly, eliminating the physical cables that constrained movement and posed safety risks. This maintains reliable tracking through wireless signal transmission while restoring full operational freedom to the interventionalist.
4Extent of automation
If fixed scan planes relative to the interventional device are used, then the scan plane can be automatically tracked, but flexing of the device may cause misregistration and manual adjustments are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed scan planes rigidly attached to the interventional device to dynamic scan planes that are independently controllable. The scan plane orientation and position can be adjusted in real-time based on procedural needs rather than being constrained by device orientation. This dynamic control eliminates misregistration issues caused by device flexing while maintaining automated tracking capabilities through independent scan plane manipulation.
5Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of scan plane is performed, then a different scan plane can be viewed, but it is time-consuming especially when patient is confined in MRI apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, real-time control of scan planes that can be rapidly adjusted without manual reconfiguration. The system allows immediate switching between different scan plane orientations and positions in response to procedural requirements, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining full flexibility in scan plane selection through automated control mechanisms.
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 enhances the interventionalist's freedom and efficiency by allowing real-time control of scan planes and image parameters without the need for coaxial cables, reducing misregistration and manual adjustments, and improving patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are frequently employed to provide guidance to interventionalists
Data Source
AI summary
Example devices, apparatus, and methods concern intervention-independent imaging control for an MRI system. A hand wearable device (e.g., glove) that can be manipulated independently of an interventional device (e.g., catheter) in use to treat a patient transmits position signals describing an orientation of the device to an MRI system. The device may have fiducial markers mounted on an operator's fingers. The MRI system determines a desired scan plane that will correspond to the orientation of the intervention-independent device and performs a diagnostic scan on the desired scan plane. The spatial proximities of the markers may control a switch based control that controls image acquisition parameters including field of view.