Microwave ablation system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a microwave ablation system and method. The system includes: a microwave ablation module, a fluorescence endoscope module, a main control module, and a human-computer interaction module. The microwave ablation module includes a microwave source and an ablation needle; the fluorescence endoscope module includes a laser light source, a white light source, an imaging unit, and an endoscope. The main control module is connected to the human-computer interaction module, the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source, and the imaging unit, respectively; the ablation needle is connected to the microwave source; and the endoscope is connected to the laser light source, the white light source, and the imaging unit, respectively. The present invention can improve the accuracy and efficiency of microwave ablation surgery and reduce the cost of microwave ablation surgery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to a microwave ablation system and method. Background Art

[0002] Tumor microwave ablation therapy has been included in domestic and international cancer treatment guidelines due to its advantages such as minimal invasiveness, significant efficacy, and few complications. It is now widely used in the treatment of cancers such as liver cancer, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer.

[0003] Fluorescence imaging utilizes the principle that contrast agents, when exposed to excitation light, generate electron vibrations, transition to an excited state, and then emit light as the electrons return to the ground state. This light is captured by a fluorescence camera, visualizing biological tissue. Currently, it has applications in tumor margin assessment and vascular imaging.

[0004] The microwave ablation procedure involves the doctor inserting the needle into the lesion under the guidance of ultrasound or other imaging techniques before the procedure. The device then emits microwaves to the lesion, generating high temperatures to inactivate the tumor. The needle is then removed after the procedure, completing the procedure. However, microwave surgery has the following issues:

[0005] Problem 1: During surgery, doctors cannot directly see the ablation effect and cannot accurately determine whether the tumor has been completely ablated. Existing technologies solve this problem in two ways: (1) Postoperative imaging tests, such as CT, B-ultrasound, MRI, etc., are used to determine whether all tumor tissue has been killed. If the effect is not complete, a second surgery is still required, which increases the patient's physical, mental, and financial pressures; (2) During surgery, the temperature of the tumor edge is monitored by a thermometer needle, thereby indirectly and roughly determining its ablation effect. However, the thermometer needle is restricted by various factors such as its accuracy and insertion position and cannot directly reflect the ablation effect.

[0006] Question 2: The doctor needs to perform the puncture under image guidance, which requires the doctor to be skilled in the operation. Otherwise, the needle cannot be accurately inserted into the center of the lesion, resulting in repeated insertion and withdrawal, which will damage the patient's normal tissues.

[0007] Therefore, existing microwave ablation surgery requires not only the microwave ablation device, but also imaging equipment such as ultrasound and CT to assist with puncture, which is expensive. In addition, if CT or MRI is used for multiple irradiation, the radiation will cause damage to the human body. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a microwave ablation system and method to improve the accuracy and efficiency of microwave ablation surgery and reduce the cost of microwave ablation surgery.

[0009] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a microwave ablation system, the system comprising: a microwave ablation module, a fluorescence endoscope module, a main control module and a human-computer interaction module; the microwave ablation module comprises a microwave source and an ablation needle; the fluorescence endoscope module comprises a laser light source, a white light source, an imaging unit and an endoscope; the main control module is respectively connected to the human-computer interaction module, the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit; the ablation needle is connected to the microwave source; the endoscope is respectively connected to the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit; the human-computer interaction module is used to drive the main control module to control the working states of the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit respectively according to the operator's parameter setting operation; wherein the parameters include at least one of the following: ablation parameters, laser light source switch, white light source switch and imaging parameters; the microwave source is used to, when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, under the control of the main control module, microwaves are emitted to the target lesion through the ablation needle to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; the laser light source is used to emit excitation light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion; the white light source is used to emit white light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion; the imaging unit is used to collect the initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope under the control of the main control module; wherein, the initial image signal includes a white light image signal and / or a fluorescence image signal; the human-computer interaction module is also used to: obtain the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, and process the obtained initial image signal to obtain and display the target image; wherein, the target image includes at least one of the following: a white light image, a fluorescence image, a fusion light image and a blood supply image.

[0010] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a microwave ablation method, which is applied to the above-mentioned microwave ablation system; the method comprises: the human-computer interaction module operates according to the parameter settings of the operator, driving the main control module to respectively control the working states of the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit; wherein the parameters comprise at least one of the following: ablation parameters, laser light source switch, white light source switch and imaging parameters; when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the microwave source emits microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module, so as to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the laser light source is controlled by the main control module. under the control of the main control module, the excitation light is emitted to the target lesion through the endoscope; when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the white light source emits white light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module; the imaging unit is controlled by the main control module to collect the initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope; wherein, the initial image signal includes a white light image signal and / or a fluorescence image signal; the human-computer interaction module obtains the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, and processes the obtained initial image signal to obtain and display the target image; wherein, the target image includes at least one of the following: a white light image, a fluorescence image, a fusion light image and a blood supply image.

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention provides a microwave ablation system and method, in which a human-computer interaction module drives a main control module to respectively control the working states of a microwave source, a laser light source, a white light source and an imaging unit according to the parameter setting operation of an operator; when the ablation needle of the microwave source is inserted into the target lesion, the microwave source emits microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; when the ablation needle of the laser light source is inserted into the target lesion, the laser light source emits excitation light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; when the ablation needle of the white light source is inserted into the target lesion, the white light source emits white light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; the imaging unit collects an initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope under the control of the main control module; the human-computer interaction module obtains the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, and processes the obtained initial image signal to obtain and display the target image. Using the above technology, the ablation needle can be punctured directly under the endoscopic image, and the microwave ablation surgery can be completed without the auxiliary guidance of other imaging equipment, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the microwave ablation surgery and reducing the cost of the microwave ablation surgery.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or understood by practicing the present invention. The purposes and other advantages of the present invention are realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings.

[0013] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a microwave ablation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of another microwave ablation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of another microwave ablation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a microwave ablation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Currently, the microwave ablation procedure involves a preoperative puncture with an ablation needle under the guidance of ultrasound or other imaging techniques. The needle is then inserted into the lesion, and microwaves are then transmitted to the lesion through the instrument, generating high temperatures to inactivate the tumor. The needle is then removed after the procedure, completing the procedure. However, microwave surgery has the following issues:

[0021] Problem 1: During surgery, doctors cannot directly see the ablation effect and cannot accurately determine whether the tumor has been completely ablated. Existing technologies solve this problem in two ways: (1) Postoperative imaging tests, such as CT, B-ultrasound, MRI, etc., are used to determine whether all tumor tissue has been killed. If the effect is not complete, a second surgery is still required, which increases the patient's physical, mental, and financial pressures; (2) During surgery, the temperature of the tumor edge is monitored by a thermometer needle, thereby indirectly and roughly determining its ablation effect. However, the thermometer needle is restricted by various factors such as its accuracy and insertion position and cannot directly reflect the ablation effect.

[0022] Question 2: The doctor needs to perform the puncture under image guidance, which requires the doctor to be skilled in the operation. Otherwise, the needle cannot be accurately inserted into the center of the lesion, resulting in repeated insertion and withdrawal, which will damage the patient's normal tissues.

[0023] Therefore, existing microwave ablation surgery requires not only the microwave ablation device, but also imaging equipment such as ultrasound and CT to assist with puncture, which is expensive. In addition, if CT or MRI is used for multiple irradiation, the radiation will cause damage to the human body.

[0024] In view of the above problems existing in the existing microwave ablation surgery, the present invention provides a microwave ablation system and method, which can improve the accuracy and efficiency of microwave ablation surgery and reduce the cost of microwave ablation surgery.

[0025] To facilitate understanding of this embodiment, a microwave ablation system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is first described in detail. Figure 1 As shown, the system may include: a microwave ablation module 10, a fluorescent endoscope module 20, a main control module 30 and a human-computer interaction module 40; the microwave ablation module 10 includes a microwave source 12 and an ablation needle 11; the fluorescent endoscope module 20 includes a laser light source 22, a white light source 23, an imaging unit 24 and an endoscope 21; the main control module 30 is respectively connected to the human-computer interaction module 40, the microwave source 12, the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the imaging unit 24; the ablation needle 11 is connected to the microwave source 12; the endoscope 21 is respectively connected to the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the imaging unit 24.

[0026] See also Figure 1 As shown, the human-computer interaction module 40 can be used to operate according to the operator's parameter settings, driving the main control module 30 to respectively control the working states of the microwave source 12, the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the imaging unit 24; wherein the parameters include at least one of the following: ablation parameters, laser light source switch, white light source switch and imaging parameters.

[0027] The human-computer interaction module 40 can be a device with communication and human-computer interaction functions, such as a host computer. Such a device can include a display screen for providing a human-computer interaction interface and physical buttons for the operator to press. Based on this, the parameter setting operation can be performed by touching a specific location on the human-computer interaction interface or pressing a specific physical button. The specific operation can be customized according to actual needs and is not limited to this. The ablation parameters can include ablation power, ablation time, etc., which can be customized according to actual needs and are not limited to this.

[0028] See also Figure 1 As shown, when the ablation needle 11 is inserted into the target lesion (such as a tumor, etc.), the microwave source 12 can be used to emit microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle 11 under the control of the main control module 30 to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion.

[0029] Specifically, after the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 into the lesion, the operator can perform parameter setting operations on the human-computer interaction module 40. After the parameter setting operation is completed, the operator can trigger the human-computer interaction module 40 to send instructions corresponding to the parameter setting operation to the main control module 30 by manipulating the human-computer interaction module 40. After receiving the instructions, the main control module 30 will drive the microwave source 12 to emit microwaves, and the microwaves will be transmitted to the inside of the lesion through the ablation needle 11, thereby realizing microwave ablation of the target lesion.

[0030] See also Figure 1 As shown, the laser light source 22 can be used to emit excitation light toward the target lesion through the endoscope 21 under the control of the main control module 30 when the ablation needle 11 is inserted into the target lesion. The white light source 23 can be used to emit white light toward the target lesion through the endoscope 21 under the control of the main control module 30 when the ablation needle 11 is inserted into the target lesion. The imaging unit 24 can be used to collect initial image signals corresponding to the reflected light from the endoscope 21 under the control of the main control module 30; the initial image signals can include white light image signals and / or fluorescence image signals. Based on this, the human-computer interaction module 40 can also be used to: obtain the initial image signals collected by the imaging unit 24 through the main control module 30, and process the obtained initial image signals to obtain and display the target image; the target image can include at least one of the following: a white light image, a fluorescence image, a fused light image, and a blood supply image.

[0031] Specifically, after the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 into the lesion, the operator can perform parameter setting operations on the human-computer interaction module 40, and after the parameter setting operation is completed, the human-computer interaction module 40 is triggered to send instructions corresponding to the parameter setting operation to the main control module 30 by manipulating the human-computer interaction module 40; after receiving the instructions, the main control module 30 will drive the laser light source 22 to generate excitation light and / or drive the white light source 23 to generate white light, and the excitation light generated by the laser light source 22 and / or the white light generated by the white light source 23 is irradiated onto the target lesion through the built-in optical fiber of the endoscope 21, and the reflected light of the tissue on the target lesion is incident on the target lesion through the optical fiber and is transmitted back through the spectrometer and the reflector; the imaging unit 24 collects the initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light, and the initial image signal is transmitted back to the human-computer interaction module 40 through the main control module 30; the human-computer interaction module 40 processes the initial image signal (such as image fusion, pseudo-color processing, etc.) to obtain and display the corresponding target image (such as white light image, fluorescence image, fused light image, blood supply image, etc.).

[0032] A microwave ablation system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a human-computer interaction module drives a main control module to respectively control the working states of a microwave source, a laser light source, a white light source and an imaging unit according to parameter settings of an operator; when the ablation needle of the microwave source is inserted into the target lesion, the microwave source emits microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; when the ablation needle of the laser light source is inserted into the target lesion, the laser light source emits excitation light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; when the ablation needle of the white light source is inserted into the target lesion, the white light source emits white light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; the imaging unit collects an initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope under the control of the main control module; the human-computer interaction module obtains the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, processes the obtained initial image signal, and obtains and displays the target image. Using the above technology, the ablation needle can be punctured directly under the endoscopic image, and the microwave ablation surgery can be completed without the auxiliary guidance of other imaging equipment, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the microwave ablation surgery and reducing the cost of the microwave ablation surgery.

[0033] As a possible implementation, the fused light image may be an image formed by fusing the white light image and the fluorescence image; the initial image signal may include the white light image signal and the fluorescence image signal; based on this, see Figure 1 As shown, the human-computer interaction module 40 can also be used to fuse the white light image and the fluorescence image using an image fusion algorithm, and then perform pseudo-color processing on the image obtained after the image fusion to obtain a fused light image.

[0034] The above-mentioned image fusion algorithm may adopt a wavelet transform fusion algorithm or other image fusion algorithms, etc., which may be selected according to actual needs and are not limited thereto.

[0035] As a possible implementation, the blood supply image is an image formed by pseudo-color processing of the fluorescence image; the initial image signal may include the fluorescence image signal; based on this, see Figure 1 As shown, the human-computer interaction module 40 can also be used to perform pseudo-color processing on the fluorescent image according to the fluorescent light intensity to obtain a blood supply image.

[0036] Based on the above Figure 1 The microwave ablation system shown in FIG. 1 is a microwave ablation system. The present invention also provides another microwave ablation system. Figure 2 As shown, the microwave ablation module 10 may further include a temperature measurement unit 14 connected to the main control module 30; the human-computer interaction module 40 may also be used to obtain the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion collected by the temperature measurement unit 14 through the main control module 30, and visualize the obtained temperature signal.

[0037] Specifically, after the operator places the temperature measurement unit at a designated position inside the target lesion, the temperature measurement unit 14 will collect the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion and transmit the collected temperature signal back to the main control module 30; the main control module 30 then transmits the temperature signal to the human-computer interaction module 40, and the human-computer interaction module 40 visualizes the received temperature signal, thereby monitoring the temperature of the target lesion.

[0038] The temperature measuring unit 14 may be composed of a temperature measuring circuit, a temperature measuring needle and other components, which may be customized according to actual conditions and are not limited thereto. Figure 2 The temperature measuring unit 14 may include a temperature measuring circuit and a temperature measuring needle. Figure 2 The main control module 30 is connected to the temperature measuring needle; Figure 2 The main control module 30 is configured to acquire a temperature signal corresponding to the interior of a target lesion, detected by the temperature measuring circuit, when the temperature measuring needle is inserted into the target lesion. Specifically, after the operator inserts the temperature measuring needle into the target lesion, the temperature measuring needle collects the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion and transmits it back to the main control module 30 via the temperature measuring circuit. The main control module 30 then transmits the temperature signal to the human-computer interaction module 40, which visualizes the temperature signal, thereby enabling temperature monitoring of the target lesion.

[0039] See also Figure 2As shown, the microwave ablation module 10 may further include a water cooling unit 13; the water cooling unit 13 is connected to the main control module 30 and the ablation needle 11 respectively; the water cooling unit 13 is used to cool the ablation needle 11 by water under the control of the main control module 30 when the ablation needle 11 is inserted into the target lesion.

[0040] Specifically, after the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 into the lesion, he can trigger the human-computer interaction module 40 to send corresponding instructions to the main control module 30 by controlling the human-computer interaction module 40; after receiving the instructions, the main control module 30 will drive the water cooling unit 13 to operate and cool the ablation needle 11 with water.

[0041] The water cooling unit 13 may be composed of components such as a water pump, a water pipe, and a valve, and may be customized according to actual conditions, and is not limited thereto.

[0042] As a possible implementation, see Figure 2 As shown, the main control module 30 can also be used to control the microwave source 12 to stop working and control the human-computer interaction module 40 to alarm when the temperature signal collected by the temperature measuring unit 14 exceeds a preset temperature threshold.

[0043] The above temperature threshold can be customized according to actual needs and is not limited to this. The above alarm method can adopt the display of alarm information on the human-computer interaction interface, the sound of alarm, the light of alarm, etc., which can be customized according to actual needs and is not limited to this.

[0044] As a possible implementation, the microwave ablation system may further include a system power supply, a first power supply, and a second power supply; Figure 2 The main control module 30 is connected to Figure 2 The main control module 30 in the first power supply is powered by Figure 2 The microwave source 12 is connected to the temperature measuring unit 14 for Figure 2 The microwave source 12 and the temperature measuring unit 14 are powered; the second power supply is respectively connected to Figure 2 The laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the imaging unit 24 are connected to provide Figure 2 The laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the imaging unit 24 are powered.

[0045] For ease of understanding, Figure 3 Taking the microwave ablation system as an example, the following is an exemplary description:

[0046] See also Figure 3As shown, the system may include: a microwave ablation module 10, a fluorescence endoscope module 20, a main control board 31, a host computer 41, and a system power supply 50; wherein the microwave ablation module 10 performs microwave ablation surgery, and the fluorescence endoscope module 20 provides real-time image monitoring for the operator (such as a doctor, etc.). The microwave ablation module 10 includes a microwave source 12, an ablation needle 11, a water pump 103, a temperature measurement circuit 105, a temperature measurement needle 104 and a first power supply ( Figure 3 The fluorescence endoscope module 20 includes a laser light source 22, a white light source 23, a CCD assembly 204, an endoscope 21, and a second power source ( Figure 3 (not shown in the figure); the main control board 31 is respectively connected to the host computer 41, the system power supply 50, the microwave source 12, the water pump 103, the temperature measuring circuit 105, the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the CCD component 204; the ablation needle 11 is respectively connected to the microwave source 12 and the water pump 103; the temperature measuring needle 104 is connected to the temperature measuring circuit 105; the endoscope 21 is respectively connected to the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the CCD component 204; the first power supply is respectively connected to the microwave source 12, the water pump 103 and the temperature measuring circuit 105, and the second power supply is respectively connected to the laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the CCD component 204.

[0047] The main control board 31 can connect to the software of the host computer 41 via the RS485 serial communication protocol, enabling hardware control and signal transmission by the host computer 41. The software of the host computer 41 can provide the following functions: parameter setting for the microwave ablation module 10, parameter setting for the fluorescence endoscope module 20, real-time monitoring signals, image display, alarms, and patient information management.

[0048] The system power supply supplies power to the main control board 31; the first power supply supplies power to the microwave source 12, water pump 103, and temperature measurement circuit 105. After inserting the ablation needle 11 and temperature measurement needle 104 into the target lesion, the operator can set the parameters of the microwave ablation module 10 through the host computer 41. Once the parameters are set, the operator can trigger the host computer 41 to send instructions corresponding to the parameter settings to the main control board 31 by controlling the host computer 41. The main control board 31 drives the microwave source 12 to emit microwaves, which are transmitted to the lesion through the ablation needle 11, thereby achieving microwave ablation of the target lesion. The main control board 31 also drives the water pump 103 to operate, water-cooling the ablation needle 11. At the same time, the temperature measurement needle 104 collects the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion and transmits it back to the main control board 31 through the temperature measurement circuit 105. The main control board 31 then transmits the temperature signal to the host computer 41, where the software of the host computer 41 visualizes the temperature signal, thereby monitoring the temperature of the target lesion. The microwave source 12 may be a 2450 MHz solid-state source, the ablation needle 11 may be a NY-2450 series ablation needle, and the temperature measuring needle 104 may be a NY-TEMP series temperature measuring needle.

[0049] The CCD assembly 204 may include a white light CCD and a fluorescent CCD. The white light CCD is connected to the main control board 31 and the endoscope 21 respectively, and the fluorescent CCD is connected to the main control board 31 and the endoscope 21 respectively. The laser light source 22, the white light source 23 and the CCD assembly 204 are powered by a second power supply. After the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 and the temperature measuring needle into the target lesion, the operator can set the parameters of the fluorescent endoscope module 20 on the host computer 41. After the parameter setting is completed, the operator can trigger the host computer 41 to send the corresponding parameter setting instructions to the main control board 31 by controlling the host computer 41. The main control board 31 drives the laser light source 22 to generate excitation light and the white light source 23 to generate white light. The excitation light generated by the laser light source 22 and the white light generated by the white light source 23 are irradiated onto the target lesion through the built-in optical fiber of the endoscope 21. The reflected light from the tissue on the target lesion is incident on the target lesion through the optical fiber, and then transmitted back through the beam splitter and reflector. The white light CCD collects the image signal corresponding to the white light reflection, and the fluorescence CCD collects the image signal corresponding to the fluorescence. These two image signals are transmitted back to the host computer 41 through the main control board 31, and the host computer 41 processes the image signals. The excitation light can be a laser with a wavelength of 785nm.

[0050] The parameter settings of the microwave ablation module 10 may include: ablation power setting, ablation time setting, etc.; the parameter settings of the fluorescence endoscope module 20 may include: laser light source switch setting, white light source switch setting, and camera parameter adjustment. The real-time monitoring signal may include: real-time monitoring of ablation time, real-time monitoring of the temperature signal collected by the temperature measuring needle 104, etc. The image display may include: image display in four modes: white light, fluorescence, fusion light, and blood supply, respectively, for displaying white light images, fluorescence images, fusion light images, and blood supply images. The alarm may include: when the rod temperature (i.e., the temperature signal collected by the temperature measuring needle 104) exceeds 45 degrees Celsius, triggering the main control board 31 to control the microwave source to stop and controlling the host computer 41 to alarm. The patient information management may include: the storage and preservation of basic patient information and treatment information.

[0051] When the display function of the fused light image is provided through the software of the host computer 41, the host computer 41 will use the wavelet transform fusion algorithm to fuse the white light image and the fluorescence image, and then perform pseudo-color processing on the image obtained after the image fusion to obtain the fused light image; when the display function of the blood supply image is provided through the software of the host computer 41, the host computer 41 will perform pseudo-color processing on the fluorescence image according to the fluorescence light intensity to obtain the blood supply image.

[0052] In addition, the host computer 41 can also provide patient information management functions, such as the preservation and storage of basic patient information and treatment information, further expanding the functions of the microwave ablation system.

[0053] The above-mentioned microwave ablation system is based on fluorescence imaging technology and provides real-time surgical images through a fluorescence endoscope module. Depending on the purpose and needs, it can locate the target lesion before surgery and evaluate the effect of microwave ablation after surgery.

[0054] As a possible implementation, the target image may include the white light image, the fluorescence image and the fusion light image; based on this, the operator may use the microwave ablation system to perform the following steps: before performing microwave ablation on the target lesion, the operator intravenously injects indocyanine green (ICG) into the target patient with the target lesion, and waits until a preset period of time passes, and the ICG is enriched in the target lesion and metabolized in the target patient's body outside the target lesion; the operator moves the endoscope 21 to the target position corresponding to the target lesion in the target patient's body (such as a position near the target lesion), and drives the main control module 30 through the human-computer interaction module 40 to control the laser Both the light source 22 and the white light source 23 are turned on; the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 into the target lesion according to the target image displayed by the human-computer interaction module 40, and sets the ablation parameters through the human-computer interaction module 40; the operator drives the main control module 30 through the human-computer interaction module 40 to control the microwave source 12 to turn on, and starts microwave ablation of the target lesion; during the process of microwave ablation of the target lesion, the operator continuously observes the fused light image displayed by the human-computer interaction module 40 to determine the ablation area and the ICG fluorescence area in the fused light image, until the ablation area and the ICG fluorescence area overlap, and the microwave ablation ends; wherein, the color of the ablation area in the fused light image is different from the color of the ICG fluorescence area in the fused light image.

[0055] As a possible implementation, the target image may include the white light image, the fluorescence image, and the blood supply image; based on this, the operator may use the microwave ablation system to perform the following steps: the operator moves the endoscope 21 to the target position corresponding to the target lesion in the body of the target patient with the target lesion (such as a position near the target lesion), and drives the main control module 30 through the human-computer interaction module 40 to control the laser light source 22 and the white light source 23 to turn on respectively; the operator inserts the ablation needle 11 into the target lesion according to the target image displayed by the human-computer interaction module 40, and sets the ablation parameters through the human-computer interaction module 40; the operator drives the main control module 30 through the human-computer interaction module 40 to control the microwave source 12 to turn on, and starts microwave ablation of the target lesion; after the microwave ablation is completed, the operator intravenously injects ICG into the target patient with the target lesion, and continuously observes the blood supply image displayed by the human-computer interaction module 40 to determine the ablation area in the blood supply image; wherein, the ICG flow condition of the ablation area in the blood supply image is different from the ICG flow condition of the normal area in the blood supply image.

[0056] Based on the above microwave ablation system, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a microwave ablation method, which is applied to the above microwave ablation system; see Figure 4 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0057] In step S402, the human-computer interaction module operates according to the operator's parameter settings, driving the main control module to respectively control the working states of the microwave source, laser light source, white light source and imaging unit; wherein the parameters include at least one of the following: ablation parameters, laser light source switch, white light source switch and imaging parameters.

[0058] In step S404, when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the microwave source emits microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion.

[0059] In step S406 , when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the laser light source emits excitation light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module.

[0060] In step S408 , when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the white light source emits white light toward the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module.

[0061] In step S410 , the imaging unit, under the control of the main control module, collects an initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope; wherein the initial image signal includes a white light image signal and / or a fluorescence image signal.

[0062] In step S412, the human-computer interaction module obtains the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, processes the obtained initial image signal, obtains and displays the target image; wherein the target image includes at least one of the following: white light image, fluorescence image, fused light image and blood supply image.

[0063] A microwave ablation method provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a human-computer interaction module drives a main control module to respectively control the working states of a microwave source, a laser light source, a white light source and an imaging unit according to parameter settings of an operator; when the ablation needle of the microwave source is inserted into the target lesion, the microwave source emits microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; when the ablation needle of the laser light source is inserted into the target lesion, the laser light source emits excitation light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; when the ablation needle of the white light source is inserted into the target lesion, the white light source emits white light to the target lesion through an endoscope under the control of the main control module; the imaging unit collects an initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope under the control of the main control module; the human-computer interaction module obtains the initial image signal collected by the imaging unit through the main control module, and processes the obtained initial image signal to obtain and display the target image. Using the above technology, the ablation needle can be punctured directly under the endoscopic image, and the microwave ablation surgery can be completed without the auxiliary guidance of other imaging equipment, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the microwave ablation surgery and reducing the cost of the microwave ablation surgery.

[0064] As a possible implementation, the fused light image may be an image formed by fusing the white light image and the fluorescence image; the step of processing the acquired initial image signal to obtain and display the target image may include the following operation: performing image fusion on the white light image and the fluorescence image using an image fusion algorithm, and then performing pseudo-color processing on the image obtained after the image fusion to obtain a fused light image.

[0065] As a possible implementation, the blood supply image is an image formed by pseudo-color processing of the fluorescence image; the step of processing the acquired initial image signal to obtain and display the target image may include the following operation mode: pseudo-color processing of the fluorescence image according to the fluorescence light intensity to obtain a blood supply image.

[0066] As a possible implementation, the microwave ablation method may further include the following operation mode: the human-computer interaction module obtains the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion collected by the temperature measurement unit through the main control module, and visualizes the obtained temperature signal.

[0067] As a possible implementation, the microwave ablation method may further include the following operation mode: when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, the water cooling unit cools the ablation needle with water under the control of the main control module.

[0068] As a possible implementation, the microwave ablation method may further include the following operation mode: when the temperature signal collected by the temperature measurement unit exceeds a preset temperature threshold, the main control module controls the microwave source to stop working and controls the human-computer interaction module to alarm.

[0069] As a possible implementation method, the step in which the above-mentioned human-computer interaction module obtains the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion collected by the temperature measurement unit through the main control module may include the following operation method: when the temperature measuring needle is inserted into the target lesion, the main control module obtains the temperature signal corresponding to the inside of the target lesion collected by the temperature measuring needle through the temperature measuring circuit.

[0070] As a possible implementation, the microwave ablation method may further include the following operation modes: powering the main control module through the system power supply; powering the microwave source and the temperature measurement unit through the first power supply; and powering the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit through the second power supply.

[0071] As a possible implementation, the target image may include the white light image, the fluorescence image, and the fusion light image; based on this, the microwave ablation method may further include the following operation mode: before performing microwave ablation on the target lesion, the operator intravenously injects ICG into the target patient with the target lesion until, after a preset period of time, the ICG is enriched in the target lesion and metabolized in the target patient's body outside the target lesion; the operator moves the endoscope to the target position corresponding to the target lesion in the target patient's body (such as a position near the target lesion), and drives the main control module through the human-computer interaction module to control the laser light source and the white light source respectively are all turned on; the operator inserts the ablation needle into the target lesion according to the target image displayed by the human-computer interaction module, and sets the ablation parameters through the human-computer interaction module; the operator drives the main control module to control the microwave source to turn on through the human-computer interaction module, and starts microwave ablation of the target lesion; during the process of microwave ablation of the target lesion, the operator continuously observes the fused light image displayed by the human-computer interaction module to determine the ablation area and the ICG fluorescence area in the fused light image until the ablation area and the ICG fluorescence area overlap, and the microwave ablation is ended; wherein, the color of the ablation area in the fused light image is different from the color of the ICG fluorescence area in the fused light image.

[0072] For example, in order to observe the location of the tumor (i.e., the target lesion) before surgery using ICG fluorescence imaging, the following steps can be performed: the doctor injects ICG intravenously into the patient with the tumor (i.e., the target patient) before surgery, waits for 8-10 hours for the ICG to be enriched in the tumor and metabolized in other parts of the patient's body, and then starts the surgery; the doctor inserts the endoscope near the tumor in the patient's body, and triggers the main control module to control the laser light source and the white light source to turn on respectively by manipulating the human-computer interaction module; the doctor determines the tumor imaging position by observing the white light image, fluorescence image, and fused light image displayed by the human-computer interaction module, and inserts the ablation needle into the tumor under the guidance of the white light image, fluorescence image, and fused light image, and controls the ablation needle through the human-computer interaction module. The doctor sets the ablation parameters in the block; the doctor triggers the main control module to control the microwave source to turn on by manipulating the human-computer interaction module, and starts microwave ablation of the tumor; the doctor observes the fusion light image displayed by the human-computer interaction module during the operation. The ablation area in the fusion light image shows stronger fluorescence than the normal tissue area, and the color of the ablation area in the fusion light image is different from the color of the ICG fluorescence area in the fusion light image; if the ablation area is not enough, that is, the ablation area is not enough to cover the ICG fluorescence area, continue to turn on the microwave source for 1 minute, and observe the fusion light image at the same time. Repeat the steps of turning on the microwave source and observing the fusion light image until the ablation area and the ICG fluorescence area overlap, indicating that the ablation range has completely covered the tumor area and the operation is over.

[0073] As a possible implementation, the target image may include the white light image, the fluorescence image and the blood supply image; based on this, the microwave ablation method may also include the following operation mode: the operator moves the endoscope to the target position corresponding to the target lesion in the body of the target patient with the target lesion (such as a position near the target lesion), and drives the main control module through the human-computer interaction module to control the laser light source and the white light source to turn on respectively; the operator inserts the ablation needle into the target lesion according to the target image displayed by the human-computer interaction module, and sets the ablation parameters through the human-computer interaction module; the operator drives the main control module through the human-computer interaction module to control the microwave source to turn on, and starts microwave ablation of the target lesion; after the microwave ablation is completed, the operator intravenously injects ICG into the target patient with the target lesion, and continuously observes the blood supply image displayed by the human-computer interaction module to determine the ablation area in the blood supply image; wherein, the ICG flow condition of the ablation area in the blood supply image is different from the ICG flow condition of the normal area in the blood supply image.

[0074] For example, in order to use ICG fluorescence imaging to observe the blood supply image after surgery to determine the ablation effect of the tumor, the following steps can be performed: at the beginning of the operation, the doctor inserts the endoscope into the body of a patient (i.e., the target patient) with a tumor (i.e., the target lesion) near the tumor, and triggers the main control module to control the laser light source and the white light source to turn on respectively by manipulating the human-computer interaction module; the doctor determines the tumor imaging position by observing the white light image, fluorescence image and fused light image displayed by the human-computer interaction module, and inserts the ablation needle into the tumor under the guidance of the white light image, fluorescence image and fused light image, and sets the ablation parameters through the human-computer interaction module; the doctor triggers the main control module to control the microwave source to turn on by manipulating the human-computer interaction module, and starts microwave ablation of the tumor. After microwave ablation, the doctor injects ICG into the patient's vein and observes the flow of ICG along the blood vessels in the blood supply image displayed by the human-computer interaction module. After microwave ablation, the tumor undergoes tissue necrosis and blood flow cannot pass through it. Therefore, ICG in the blood supply image can only pass through the normal area but not the ablation area. The doctor can use this to determine the ablation area in the blood supply image and thus judge the ablation effect of the tumor.

[0075] The method provided in the embodiment of the present invention has the same implementation principle and technical effects as those in the aforementioned system embodiment. For the sake of brief description, for matters not mentioned in the method embodiment, reference can be made to the corresponding content in the aforementioned system embodiment.

[0076] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative steps, numerical expressions and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0077] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium that is executable by a processor. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0078] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are only specific implementation methods of the present invention, which are used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the above-described embodiments within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, or replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. Such modifications, changes, or replacements do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A microwave ablation system, characterized in that: The system includes: a microwave ablation module, a fluorescence endoscope module, a main control module and a human-computer interaction module; the microwave ablation module includes a microwave source and an ablation needle; the fluorescence endoscope module includes a laser light source, a white light source, an imaging unit and an endoscope; the main control module is connected to the human-computer interaction module, the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit respectively; the ablation needle is connected to the microwave source; the endoscope is connected to the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit respectively; The human-computer interaction module is used to drive the main control module to control the working states of the microwave source, the laser light source, the white light source, and the imaging unit respectively according to the parameter settings of the operator; wherein the parameters include: ablation parameters, laser light source switch, white light source switch, and imaging parameters; The microwave source is used to emit microwaves to the target lesion through the ablation needle under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion, so as to perform microwave ablation on the target lesion; The laser light source is used to emit excitation light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion; The white light source is used to emit white light to the target lesion through the endoscope under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion; The imaging unit is used to collect an initial image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the endoscope under the control of the main control module; wherein the initial image signal includes a white light image signal and a fluorescent image signal; The human-computer interaction module is further configured to: obtain the initial image signal acquired by the imaging unit through the main control module, and process the obtained initial image signal to obtain and display a target image; wherein the target image includes: a white light image, a fluorescence image, a fused light image, and a blood supply image; The fused light image is an image formed by fusing the white light image and the fluorescence image, and the color of the ablation area in the fused light image is different from the color of the ICG fluorescence area in the fused light image; the human-computer interaction module is further used to use an image fusion algorithm to fuse the white light image and the fluorescence image, and then perform pseudo-color processing on the image obtained after the image fusion to obtain the fused light image; The blood supply image is an image formed after the fluorescence image is processed with pseudo color. The ICG flow of the ablation area in the blood supply image is different from the ICG flow of the normal area in the blood supply image. The human-computer interaction module is also used to perform pseudo color processing on the fluorescence image according to the fluorescence light intensity to obtain the blood supply image.

2. The microwave ablation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microwave ablation module also includes a temperature measurement unit connected to the main control module; the human-computer interaction module is further used to obtain the temperature signal corresponding to the target lesion collected by the temperature measurement unit through the main control module, and visualize the obtained temperature signal.

3. The microwave ablation system according to claim 1, wherein: The microwave ablation module also includes a water cooling unit; the water cooling unit is connected to the main control module and the ablation needle respectively; the water cooling unit is used to cool the ablation needle under the control of the main control module when the ablation needle is inserted into the target lesion.

4. The microwave ablation system according to claim 2, wherein: The main control module is further configured to control the microwave source to stop working and control the human-computer interaction module to alarm when the temperature signal collected by the temperature measurement unit exceeds a preset temperature threshold.

5. The microwave ablation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature measuring unit includes a temperature measuring circuit and a temperature measuring needle; the temperature measuring circuit is connected to the main control module and the temperature measuring needle respectively; the main control module is used to obtain the temperature signal corresponding to the inside of the target lesion collected by the temperature measuring needle through the temperature measuring circuit when the temperature measuring needle is inserted into the target lesion.

6. The microwave ablation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The system also includes a system power supply, a first power supply and a second power supply; the system power supply is connected to the main control module for powering the main control module; the first power supply is respectively connected to the microwave source and the temperature measuring unit for powering the microwave source and the temperature measuring unit; the second power supply is respectively connected to the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit for powering the laser light source, the white light source and the imaging unit.

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