Simultaneous Tracking and Sensing of Multiple Magneto-mechanical Resonators

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Tobias Knopp
• Subject Area: Biomedical Systems Technology ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 555456057

Minimally invasive surgery are playing an increasingly important role in clinical routine, enabling the treatment of common conditions such as ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and cardiac arrest with significantly fewer complications and less invasive than open surgery. In addition, in most cases, these procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. Currently, guidance by an X-ray lab using ionizing radiation is essential and special X-ray markers are required to guide the position of the interventional tools. However, this method provides 2D projections without any depth information. Alternative tracking methods have not been widely used because they either require optical access or are too large to attach to catheters and guidewires. Recently, an entirely new class of passive remote sensors has been developed based on the magneto-mechanical resonance (MMR) effect. The goal of this proposal is to develop an affordable, real-time tracking and sensing platform that can do both, track the position and orientation of the MMR sensor and simultaneously measure environmental parameters such as temperature or pressure. In addition, our proposal will develop the tools for tracking and sensing of multiple MMR sensors in an unshielded environment. The developed device aims to achieve precise tracking within a defined volume. Integration with catheters, guidewires, and stents is evident in the clinical context, and there is a clear potential for reducing radiation exposure. The project necessitates substantial fundamental research, given that the technology is entirely novel and has only been validated at the proof-of-principle level. To address this, our interdisciplinary research team will take a holistic approach, encompassing theoretical, computational, technical and translational research. The project will have several focus areas: The sensor development will focus on the design, modeling, fabrication and characterization of the sensors and the establishment of criteria for their qualitative evaluation. Sensor system development aims to create a scalable, low-cost hardware and software platform for real-time control and data readout of the sensors. The tracking and sensing efforts will develop real-time algorithms to accurately determine the position, orientation, and natural frequency of the sensors. The technical assessment and clinical translation will assess the tracking and sensing capabilities of the entire sensing platform from a technical side and the potential for translation into clinical practice. Expected outcomes include advancements in sensor technology, real-time capable data acquisition systems, and the creation of new datasets to support further research in this emerging field.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants