Needle localization reflectors, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localization of a needle within a patient's body using markers. In an exemplary embodiment, a probe includes a distal end for placement against a surface of the region and one or more antennas for transmitting electromagnetic signals into and receiving reflected signals from the region. A processor processes the modulated reflected signals at one or more of the surface locations to determine marker locations along the needle and generate a three-dimensional model of the body region and needle.
1 . A system for localization of a needle, the system comprising:
a needle comprising:
a handle;
a shaft coupled to the handle;
a first marker comprising a first pair of electrodes and a first switch, wherein the first switch is coupled to a first side of the shaft; and
a second marker comprising a second pair of electrodes and a second switch, wherein the second switch is coupled to a second side of the shaft that is opposite the first side of the shaft;
an insulation layer covering at least a portion of the shaft;
wires connected to each of the first marker and the second marker extending along the shaft from the first marker and the second marker to the handle within the insulation layer, wherein the wires connected to the first marker extend along the first side of the shaft and the wires connected to the second marker extend along the second side of the shaft;
a probe comprising:
a transmit antenna for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient's body;
a receive antenna for receiving reflected signals from the first marker and the second marker within a patient's body;
a modulation controller external to the needle and the first marker and the second marker, the modulation controller coupled to the needle via a cable that interfaces with the wires for each of the first marker and the second marker for electrical communication with the first marker and the second marker,
wherein the modulation controller causes the switch of the first marker and the second marker of the needle to open and close to modulate the electromagnetic signals reflected by the first marker and the second marker; and
one or more processors configured to:
process the reflected signals from the first marker and the second marker;
determine a location of the first marker and the second marker based on the reflected signals; and determine a position of a tip of the needle based on the location of the first marker and the second marker.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first marker and the second marker comprise a pair of cylindrical electrodes on the exterior of the insulation layer.
3 . The system of claim 1 ,
wherein each of the first marker and the second marker comprise two cylindrical electrodes on the exterior of the insulation layer, wherein the two cylindrical electrodes are spaced along a length of the needle and the two cylindrical electrodes are coupled via a circuit comprising a switch that opens and closes to modulate electromagnetic signals reflected by the first marker and the second marker.
4 . The system of claim 1 ,
wherein each of the first marker and the second marker comprise two curved electrodes on the exterior of the insulation layer, wherein the two curved electrodes are spaced along a circumference of the needle and the two curved electrodes are coupled via a circuit comprising a switch that opens and closes to modulate electromagnetic signals reflected by the first marker and the second marker.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein to determine the position of the tip of the needle, the one or more processors are further to calculate coordinates of the tip based on a distance between the first marker and the second marker and the tip.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first marker and the second marker modulate the reflected signals such that modulation of each marker is synchronously driven by a unique sequence, wherein the unique sequence is orthogonal to other sequences used in the other marker.
7 . A system for localization of a needle, the system comprising:
a needle comprising a shaft comprising a first conductive cylindrical section, a second conductive cylindrical section, and a non-conductive cylindrical portion,
wherein the first conductive cylindrical section, the second conductive cylindrical section, and the non-conductive cylindrical portion are coupled together to form a lumen of the shaft of the needle that extends through the first conductive cylindrical section, the second conductive cylindrical section, and the non-conductive cylindrical portion,
wherein a first end of the non-conductive cylindrical portion is coupled to the first conductive cylindrical section, and a second end of the non-conductive cylindrical portion is coupled to the second conductive cylindrical section such that the non-conductive cylindrical portion is between the first conductive cylindrical section and the second conductive cylindrical section;
one or more markers, coupled the shaft, wherein the one or more markers comprise a switch that selectively electrically couples the first conductive cylindrical section to the second conductive cylindrical section;
a probe comprising:
a transmit antenna for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient's body;
a receive antenna for receiving reflected signals from the one or more markers within a patient's body; and
one or more processors configured to:
process the reflected signals from the one or more markers;
determine a location of the one or more markers based on the reflected signals; and
determine a position of a tip of the needle based on the location of the one or more markers.
8 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first lead electrically coupling the first conductive cylindrical section of the shaft to the switch; and
a second lead electrically coupling the second conductive cylindrical section of the shaft;
wherein opening and closing the switch modulates electromagnetic signals reflected by the first conductive cylindrical section and the second conductive cylindrical section of the shaft.