Temperature volume histogram generation device and method

Abstract

A temperature volume histogram generation apparatus and method are provided. To facilitate administration of thermal ablation, such as but not limited to cryotherapy, to a target volume of a patient, control circuitry may access characterization information of a particular thermal ablation device and then generate a temperature-volume histogram from the characterization information of the particular thermal ablation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] These teachings generally relate to treating a planned target volume of a patient with thermal energy. Background Art

[0002] The use of thermal energy to treat medical conditions is a well-known area of ​​prior art effort. For example, thermal ablation can be part of a treatment plan designed to reduce or eliminate unwanted tumors. The latter can include, for example, exposing targeted tissue to lethally low temperatures. So-called cryones / probes can be used to inject cold material at a targeted location within a patient's body to achieve the desired result.

[0003] Thermal ablation can be performed by surgeons and interventional radiologists. Preparation for the procedure is often informed by patient imaging, which helps the practitioner estimate the entry route through which the cryo-needle / probe should be inserted and the selection of a specific needle / probe size and / or number of needles / probes required to eradicate the target. These choices can be influenced by factors such as the patient's overall anatomy, medical guidelines, the practitioner's experience, and by the volume and shape of the target.

[0004] Many practitioners believe that the lethal isotherm for non-cancerous tissue is -20 degrees C and that for cancerous tissue is -40 degrees C. Regardless, and unfortunately, actual tissue temperature cannot practically be measured empirically during clinical interventions, as doing so would require inserting multiple thermographs into and around the target volume during the procedure.

[0005] Instead, practitioners typically rely on imaging (using, for example, computed tomography and / or ultrasound) during (and after) the procedure to assess such things as needle positioning, the size and / or extent of the ice ball(s) generated during the procedure, or the expected heated volume in the context of heat-mediated thermal ablation, and ultimately the resulting liquefied volume after the intervention. While certainly useful, current methods in these areas are not entirely satisfactory in various ways. For example, an ice ball corresponds to the 0 degree Celsius and lower isotherms, but does not provide information for the -20 or -40 degree Celsius isotherms, which correspond to the "lethal ice" isotherms. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Generally speaking, these various embodiments can be used to facilitate administering thermal ablation (such as, but not limited to, cryotherapy) to a target volume of a patient. By one approach, the control circuitry accesses characterization information for a particular thermal ablation device and then generates a temperature-volume histogram based on the characterization information for the particular thermal ablation device.

[0007] These teachings are adaptable to a variety of different types of characterization information. By way of example, in one approach, characterization information for a particular thermal ablation device may include at least one of: a thermal fluid, a flow rate of the thermal fluid, and / or at least one physical dimension of the particular thermal ablation device to achieve a desired thermal ablation result. For example, the characterization information may include information characterizing a particular thermal ablation needle / probe (such as characterization information for a particular thermal ablation needle / probe from among a plurality of different candidate thermal ablation needles / probes).

[0008] By one approach, generating the temperature-volume histogram can further include generating the temperature-volume histogram based on stored empirically sensed temperature information. As an illustrative approach in those aspects, the stored empirically sensed temperature information can correspond, at least in part, to thermal consequences of a particular thermal ablation device in the proxy medium.

[0009] These teachings are highly flexible in practice and will accommodate various modifications and / or additional features. As an illustrative example of those aspects, the control circuitry can also be configured to present a graphical depiction of the aforementioned temperature-volume histogram via a user interface. As another illustrative example, the control circuitry can also be configured to determine a dead zone based on the temperature-volume histogram.

[0010] So configured, for a given cryonezzle / probe (or cryonezzle / probe combination) selection, these teachings can be used to better predict and / or model the isotherm distribution across the target volume before, during, and / or after a corresponding thermal ablation treatment. These teachings can also facilitate intra- and / or inter-clinical practice comparisons that are independent of tumor shape or absolute volume. It will also be appreciated that these teachings can provide a useful basic metric for recording the isotherms actually delivered during a thermal ablation procedure, and also facilitate comparison of the results with the initially specified isotherm(s), and thereby help ensure the overall quality of the treatment procedure and patient follow-up. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above needs are at least partially met by providing a temperature volume histogram generating apparatus and method as described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 includes block diagrams of various embodiments as configured according to these teachings;

[0013] Figure 2 including flow charts as configured according to various embodiments of these teachings;

[0014] Figure 3 includes schematic representations of various embodiments as configured in accordance with these teachings;

[0015] Figure 4 including isotherm plots as configured according to various embodiments of these teachings;

[0016] Figure 5 include Figure 4 Selected portion of the isotherm plot presented in ;

[0017] Figure 6 Included are schematic illustrations of various embodiments as configured in accordance with these teachings;

[0018] Figure 7 including schematic views as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 8 including a temperature-volume histogram as configured according to various embodiments of these teachings; and

[0020] Figure 9 Included are flow charts as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] The elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size and / or relative positioning of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of the various embodiments of this teaching. In addition, common but well-known elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are generally not depicted to facilitate the less obstructed viewing of these various embodiments of this teaching. Certain actions and / or steps can be described or depicted in a specific order of occurrence, and those skilled in the art will understand that this specificity about the order is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the common technical meanings as given to such terms and expressions by those skilled in the art, unless different specific meanings have been separately elaborated herein. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, the word "or" should be interpreted as having a disjunctive structure rather than a conjunction structure when used in this article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] These and other benefits may become more apparent upon a thorough review and study of the following detailed description. Figure 1 , an illustrative device 100 compatible with many of these teachings will first be presented.

[0023] In this particular example, and for purposes of illustration and non-limiting example, the enabling device comprises a thermal ablation treatment platform 100. And again for purposes of illustrative example, the following description will generally assume that the thermal therapy treatment platform 100 comprises a cryotherapy treatment platform.

[0024] In this example, the cryotherapy treatment platform includes a thermal ablation console 101 (such as, for example, the CryoCare Touch 38T console manufactured by Varian). Such a system is configured to freeze / ablate selected patient tissue by applying extremely cold temperatures, typically by administering a cold substance through one or more corresponding needles / probes (shown as Probe 1 to Probe N (where N is an integer greater than "1"), with Probe 1 and Probe N represented by reference numerals 102 and 103, respectively).

[0025] The thermal ablation console 101 may have an integrated user interface including, for example, a touch screen display. In lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, the thermal ablation console 101 may also be operably coupled to a remote user interface 104. The user interface 104 may include any of a variety of user input mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, a keyboard and keypad, a cursor control device, a touch-sensitive display, a voice recognition interface, a gesture recognition interface, etc.) and / or user output mechanisms (such as, but not limited to, a visual display, an audio transducer, a printer, etc.) to facilitate receiving information and / or instructions from a user and / or providing information to a user.

[0026] In this example, the thermal ablation console 101 may include integrated control circuitry. In lieu of, or in combination with, the foregoing, the thermal ablation console 101 may be operably coupled to an external control circuit, as indicated by reference numeral 105. When reference is made herein to a "control circuit," it will be understood that such reference may apply to either or both of the foregoing circuits.

[0027] As a "circuit," a control circuit thus comprises a structure including at least one (and typically many) conductive paths (such as paths comprising a conductive metal such as copper or silver) that transmit power in an orderly manner, which path(s) will typically also include corresponding electrical components (both passive (such as resistors and capacitors) and active (such as any of a variety of semiconductor-based devices) as appropriate) to permit the circuit to implement the control aspects of these teachings.

[0028] Such control circuitry may comprise a fixed-purpose, hard-wired hardware platform (including, but not limited to, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (which is customized by design for a specific purpose rather than an integrated circuit intended for general use), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), or may comprise a partially or fully programmable hardware platform (including, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc.). These architectural options for such structures are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. The control circuitry is configured (e.g., by using corresponding programming as will be familiar to those skilled in the art) to perform one or more of the steps, actions, and / or functions described herein.

[0029] If desired, the control circuitry can be operably coupled to a memory (not shown). The memory can be integrated into the control circuitry, or can be physically separate (in whole or in part) from the control circuitry, as desired. The memory can also be local to the control circuitry (where, for example, the two share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and / or housing), or can be partially or completely remote to the control circuitry (where, for example, the memory is physically located in another facility, city, or even country than the control circuitry).

[0030] Such memory can be used, for example, to non-transitory store computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit, cause the control circuit to behave as described herein. (As used herein, such reference to "non-transitory" will be understood to refer to the non-transitory state of the stored contents (and thus excludes when the stored contents constitute merely a signal or wave), rather than to the volatility of the storage medium itself, and thus includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM)) and volatile memory (such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM)).

[0031] If desired, the control circuitry may also be operably coupled to a network interface (not shown). The control circuitry, thus configured, may communicate with other components (both within the device 100 and external to the device 100) via the network interface. Network interfaces, including those for both wireless and non-wireless platforms, are well known in the art and do not require specific detailed description here.

[0032] By one alternative approach, and for purposes of illustration herein, the control circuitry may be operatively coupled to the thermocouple array 106 and / or the data acquisition circuitry 107. Additional details regarding these components appear further below.

[0033] Now refer to Figure 2, a process 200 will be described that may be performed, for example, in conjunction with the aforementioned application arrangement (and more particularly via the aforementioned control circuitry). Generally speaking, the process 200 is for facilitating the application of thermal ablation (including cryotherapy) to a target volume of a patient.

[0034] At block 201, the process 200 provides for a control circuit to access characterization information 202 for a particular thermal ablation device (or optionally, a plurality of different thermal ablation devices). For purposes of non-limiting illustrative example, thermal ablation may include cryotherapy. A non-exhaustive list of illustrative examples of these aspects of the characterization information 202 may include information regarding a thermal fluid to achieve a desired thermal ablation result, a flow rate of such thermal fluid, and / or at least one physical dimension of the particular thermal ablation device (such as, but not limited to, the length and / or diameter of a thermal ablation needle / probe).

[0035] As suggested above, by one approach, the characterization information 202 of a specific thermal ablation device may include characterization information of a specific thermal ablation needle / probe, such as the probes 102, 103 mentioned above. In many application settings, the latter may include accessing characterization information of a specific thermal ablation needle / probe from among a plurality of different candidate thermal ablation needles / probes.

[0036] At block 203 , the control circuit generates a temperature-volume histogram based on the aforementioned characterization information 202 for the particular thermal ablation device.

[0037] The temperature volume histogram represents the three-dimensional temperature distribution in a graphical two-dimensional format. "Volume" refers to a patient volume of interest, such as a patient target volume, a healthy organ located near such a target, an arbitrary structure, or the like.

[0038] These teachings will accommodate various methods for presenting temperature volume histograms. By one approach, a temperature volume histogram can be presented as a differential temperature volume histogram. In this case, the height of the column for a given temperature bin corresponds to the volume of the structure corresponding to that temperature. The bin temperature (including or reflecting, for example, relative or absolute temperature changes) typically extends along the horizontal axis, while the structure volume (percentage or absolute volume) extends along the vertical axis. (Discussed further herein) Figure 8 An example of these aspects is presented.) At high granularity, the differential temperature volume histogram can be visualized as a smooth line graph.

[0039] By another approach, the temperature volume histogram can be presented as a cumulative temperature volume histogram, which can plot bin temperatures along the horizontal axis, but with a first bin of bar heights representing the volume of structure(s) corresponding to temperatures greater than or equal to that temperature. Then, a second bin of bar heights represents the volume of structure(s) corresponding to temperatures greater than or equal to that temperature, and so on. At high granularity, the cumulative temperature volume histogram can be visualized as a smooth line graph. (As it happens, Figure 8 Also serves as an illustrative example of a cumulative temperature-volume histogram.)

[0040] By one approach, and with reference to optional block 204, generation of the temperature volume histogram can be performed at least in part based further on stored empirically sensed temperature information. This stored empirically sensed temperature information can correspond to, for example, thermal results of a particular thermal ablation device in a surrogate medium. Further information on these aspects will be presented below.

[0041] By another approach, instead of or in combination with the foregoing, the generation of the temperature-volume histogram can be further performed at least in part based on modeling content 205. Such modeling content 205 can include, for example, a model of relevant patient thermal behavior or state, patient heat flow, or patient blood flow in or near one or more relevant patient volumes. For example, such modeling content 205 can be used to allow results based on empirically sensed temperature information to be modified based on perturbations derived from the patient's local anatomy, such as blood vessels located near the volume of interest.

[0042] These teachings will accommodate taking other factors / information into account when generating a temperature volume histogram. For example, generating a temperature volume histogram can also occur based on information about the patient's geometry. Examples of these aspects include, but are not limited to, a specified patient volume of interest (such as, for example, the tumor volume plus a given margin or the volume of healthy adjacent tissue). By one approach, once such a volume of interest is identified / segmented, the expected temperature results for a given needle position can be digitally overlaid. In those aspects, generating a temperature volume histogram can further occur based on information about: a specific needle orientation / position / depth relative to the patient's geometry, and / or a specific plan or pattern for administering and using such a treatment device.

[0043] At optional block 206, the control circuit can (via, for example, the user interface 104 described above) present a graphical depiction of the temperature-volume histogram generated above. This presentation can help, for example, inform the clinician's planned decision and / or facilitate quality assessment. These teachings will also adapt to providing the user with the opportunity to interact with the temperature-volume histogram (by, for example, directly modifying the temperature-volume histogram). The control circuit can then use those modifications to make corresponding modifications to the planned process to meet the desired results. As an example of these aspects, a first generated temperature-volume histogram can be formed for a first set of assumed operating conditions (such as a specific selection of a needle for a fluid, a specific entry angle and / or depth of a needle). The result can be saved, and then the process can be repeated for a changed set of operating conditions to produce a second generated temperature-volume histogram, which can then be compared by the user with the first generated temperature-volume histogram as part of the specific treatment method to be adopted.

[0044] At optional block 207, the control circuit may determine a lethal zone based on the temperature-volume histogram generated above. The lethal zone represents a region within one or more patient volumes where cryotherapy reaches a temperature sufficient to cause cell death.

[0045] The generated temperature volume histogram may thus be used in any of a variety of ways to inform, for example, thermal ablation treatment of a given patient, which may then be administered to the given patient.

[0046] Additional details consistent with these teachings will now be presented. It will be understood that the specific details of these examples are intended for illustrative purposes and are not intended to suggest any particular limitations with respect to these teachings.

[0047] By one approach, a standard protocol for characterizing objects such as the aforementioned needles / probes can be defined and / or utilized. The use of a standardized approach can help ensure that the characterization information generated for a variety of different needles / probes is not unduly influenced by the details of the information collection design itself (where standardization can apply to, for example, the choice of liquid to be frozen, the temperature of the sample, ambient temperature control, specifications regarding the thermal recorder, etc.).

[0048] Figure 3 An illustrative representation of a thermocouple array 106 is presented that can conform to these teachings to assist in forming characterization information 202. In this example, the thermocouple array 106 includes a first container 301 having ultrasound gel 302 (or other suitable matrix of choice) contained therein. An array of thermocouples 303 is disposed through a portion or all of the gel 302 (not shown in the figure for clarity). Figure 3Only three rows of thermocouples 303 are shown. The first container 302 is placed inside a second container 304, which contains water 305 to form a warm water bath for the gel 302. The second container 304 rests on top of a hot plate 306. In this configuration, the gel 302 can be heated to a temperature within the range of normal human body temperature, such as 37 degrees Celsius.

[0049] The cryotherapy needle / probe 307 can be placed into the gel and held in place while characterization information is collected. As an example, the cryotherapy needle / probe 307 can be used at a specific standardized power level (such as full power) for a specific standardized period of time (such as five minutes). The expected ice ball 308 will form in the gel 302. The temperature achieved within the gel 302 by the foregoing is sensed by various thermocouples and collected, for example, by the aforementioned data acquisition circuit 107.

[0050] The generated data can be delivered as the absolute temperature of each voxel. The size of the voxel can be determined by the initial temperature recording system (e.g., a cube with a cross-section of 2.7 mm). When the absolute temperature is provided as a negative value, the value can be converted to a positive value. For example, an absolute cooling temperature can be used, which is equal to the initial temperature (37 degrees Celsius in the above example) minus the recorded temperature.

[0051] Figure 4 An illustrative example of an isotherm plot 400 obtained at a desired resolution according to the foregoing is presented. Colors can be used to highlight voxels having temperatures within a corresponding range. In this figure, the letters "DG" represent dark green, the letters "G" represent green, the letters "DB" represent dark blue, the letters "B" represent blue, the letters "Y" represent yellow, and the letter "O" represents orange.

[0052] These teachings will also accommodate depicting corresponding temperatures in some or all of these voxel boxes. As an illustrative example, Figure 5 This diagram depicts an enlarged view of the line denoted by reference numeral 401 in the aforementioned isotherm plot 400. The box on the far right, denoted by reference numeral 501, identifies a specific distance corresponding to the needle / probe itself. The box in the center, denoted by reference numeral 502, is a cross-section of the needle / probe. The remaining boxes not only have corresponding colors as described above, but also exhibit corresponding temperatures as described above.

[0053] In many cases, the size of the aforementioned voxels can be reduced to achieve a clinically relevant voxel size (e.g., equal to 1 mm 3 or about 1mm 3 By one method, mathematical transformation can be used to convert 2.7 mm 3 A single voxel is transformed into 27 0.9mm3 of voxels.

[0054] By way of more specific illustrative examples, Figure 6 A tumor 601 in a patient 602 is presented. The boundaries of tumor 601 define the gross tumor volume. Clinically guided images such as this can be obtained using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or any other suitable imaging method of choice. The dashed line 603 surrounding the gross tumor volume is the clinical tumor volume 603. Defining the clinical tumor volume comprises a well-known area of ​​prior art effort and, therefore, does not require further elaboration here.

[0055] Figure 7 Depicted is the expected range of a particular needle / probe injection path 701 and corresponding ice ball 702. The above-described three-dimensional isotherm map 703 of absolute cooling temperature can be digitized and registered over the clinical guidance image.

[0056] In this respect, treatment planning systems can provide useful support. Using such systems, target volumes and other regions of interest can be captured, displayed, and segmented to identify their contours. These volumes can be expressed in mm 3 or any other relevant metric display. By one approach, the treatment planning system can display the appearance / position of the selected needle / probe(s) in a live setting. Furthermore, based on the above-calculated metrics, a desired ice ball can also be presented. This presentation can identify this metric as the above-mentioned absolute cooling temperature, which can be, for example, the minimum absolute cooling temperature required to generate the ice ball. These teachings will also accommodate allowing the user to select other values ​​for the absolute cooling temperature and generate a display of them in a three-dimensional representation (based on the above-generated data).

[0057] Figure 8 An illustrative example of a temperature volume histogram 800 that may correspond to the foregoing is presented. The solid line 801 corresponds to the clinical tumor volume, while the dashed line 802 corresponds to the total tumor volume. Note that the Y axis can be displayed as absolute volume, percentage of volume, or any other metric relevant to volume assessment. The X axis can then be displayed as absolute temperature change (such as using cold temperatures to achieve thermal ablation in this example), absolute cooling temperature, or any other temperature value that can be used to convert the difference between the resting temperature of the target (typically about 37 degrees Celsius for humans) and the temperature after or during treatment.

[0058] By one approach, the above data (including the corresponding temperature-volume histogram) can be exportable. If desired, both the final temperature achieved and the time-longitudinal data can be exportable. The availability of this data can enable fine-tuning of the method for estimating the cooling progress of each needle / probe, for example, based on the patient's overall anatomy.

[0059] Now refer to Figure 9 , an example according to these teachings will be described that provides data recovery and, if desired, can support the use of artificial intelligence-based corrections to expected isotherm patterns / ice balls.

[0060] At block 901 , a plurality of thermal ablation needles / probes are characterized with corresponding isotherm maps (eg, as described above).

[0061] At block 903 , the process transforms the isotherm map 902 for the particular needle / probe to the desired resolution (again, and for example, as described above).

[0062] At block 904 , the process digitizes the transformed isotherm map for use with a particular treatment planning system.

[0063] At block 905 , the process utilizes the treatment planning system to automatically segment, measure, and register the selected needle / probe 902 , and at block 906 , register the isotherm map with the target volume.

[0064] At block 907, the process generates a pre-treatment temperature volume histogram. At block 908, the treatment planning system records the delivered treatment parameters (including parameters such as step sequence and time). At block 909, the treatment planning system compares the planned isotherm information with the delivered isotherm information.

[0065] The process provides output of various data items at block 910. Examples include, but are not limited to, one or more associated thermal volume histograms, the planned and delivered sequence, parameters of the planned and delivered puck(s), and other desired information such as imaging information and other information regarding things like vascularization.

[0066] Based at least on the latter, the process refines the initial algorithm or algorithms applied in the previous steps at block 911. Such feedback can be limited as desired, where the feedback is applied only on, for example, a per-patient basis, a per-practitioner basis, a per-clinic basis, a per-institution basis, etc.

[0067] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0068] Clause 1. A method of facilitating thermal ablation of a target volume of a patient, the method comprising: accessing, by control circuitry, characterization information of a specific thermal ablation device; and generating a temperature-volume histogram based on the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device.

[0069] Item 2. A device for facilitating thermal ablation of a target volume of a patient, the device comprising: a memory having stored therein characterization information of a specific thermal ablation device; a control circuit operably coupled to the memory and configured to: access the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device; and generate a temperature-volume histogram based on the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device.

[0070] Clause 3. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein accessing the characterizing information of the specific thermal ablation device comprises accessing characterizing information of a specific thermal ablation needle.

[0071] Clause 4. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein accessing the characterization information of the particular thermal ablation needle comprises accessing the characterization information of the particular thermal ablation needle from among a plurality of different candidate thermal ablation needles.

[0072] Clause 5. Any combination of the clauses provided herein, wherein said thermal ablation comprises cryotherapy.

[0073] Clause 6. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, further comprising, by the control circuit: determining a kill zone based on the temperature-volume histogram.

[0074] Clause 7. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, further comprising, by the control circuit: presenting a graphical depiction of the temperature-volume histogram via a user interface.

[0075] Clause 8. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram further based on stored empirically sensed temperature information.

[0076] Clause 9. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein said stored empirically sensed temperature information corresponds to a thermal outcome of said particular thermal ablation device in a proxy medium.

[0077] Clause 10. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device includes at least one of: a thermal fluid that achieves a desired thermal ablation result; a flow rate of the thermal fluid; and at least one physical dimension of the specific thermal ablation device.

[0078] Clause 11. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram further based on modeling content.

[0079] Clause 12. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein the modeled content represents at least one of a patient thermal state, a patient blood flow, and a patient anatomy.

[0080] Clause 13. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram further based on information about the geometry of the patient.

[0081] Clause 14. Any combination of the clauses presented herein, wherein the information about the patient's geometry includes at least one of: a designated patient volume of interest, a specific thermal ablation needle orientation / position / depth relative to the patient's geometry, and / or a specific plan or pattern for administering and using treatment equipment.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, changes, and combinations may be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. As an example, these teachings will accommodate the evaluation of the aforementioned temperature mapping and / or the presentation / use of temperature-volume histograms during planning when the needle / probe insertion axis is changed by the practitioner and / or during the formation (or thawing) of the ice ball. To support the foregoing, the data generated may be temporally longitudinal over several minutes. Such modifications, changes, and combinations are therefore to be considered within the scope of the present inventive concept.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating thermal ablation of a target volume of a patient, the method comprising: Through the control circuit: Access characterization information for specific thermal ablation devices; A temperature-volume histogram is generated based on the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein accessing the characterizing information of the specific thermal ablation device comprises accessing characterizing information of a specific thermal ablation needle. 3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein accessing the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation needle comprises accessing the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation needle from among a plurality of different candidate thermal ablation needles. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermal ablation comprises cryotherapy.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Through the control circuit: The lethal zone is determined based on the temperature-volume histogram.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Through the control circuit: A graphical depiction of the temperature-volume histogram is presented via a user interface. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram based further on stored empirically sensed temperature information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the stored empirically sensed temperature information corresponds to thermal consequences of the particular thermal ablation device in a proxy medium.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device comprises at least one of the following: thermal fluid to achieve the desired thermal ablation result; the flow rate of the thermal fluid; and At least one physical dimension of the particular thermal ablation device. 10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram based on modeling content.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the modeled content represents at least one of a patient thermal state, a patient blood flow, and a patient anatomy. 12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the temperature-volume histogram further comprises generating the temperature-volume histogram based further on information regarding a patient's geometry.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information about the patient's geometry comprises at least one of: a designated patient volume of interest, a specific thermal ablation needle orientation / position / depth relative to patient geometry, and / or a specific plan or pattern for administering and using treatment equipment.

14. A device for facilitating thermal ablation of a target volume of a patient, the device comprising: a memory having stored therein characterization information of a specific thermal ablation device; a control circuit operatively coupled to the memory and configured to: accessing the characterizing information of the specific thermal ablation device; as well as A temperature-volume histogram is generated based on the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device. 15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the control circuit is configured to access the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device by accessing characterization information of a specific thermal ablation needle. 16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein accessing the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation needle comprises accessing the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation needle from among a plurality of different candidate thermal ablation needles.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the thermal ablation comprises cryotherapy.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a dead zone based on the temperature-volume histogram.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: a user interface operatively coupled to the control circuitry; and Wherein the control circuit is further configured to present a graphical depiction of the temperature-volume histogram via the user interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate the temperature-volume histogram based further on stored empirically sensed temperature information.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the stored empirically sensed temperature information corresponds to thermal consequences of the particular thermal ablation device in a proxy medium.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the characterization information of the specific thermal ablation device comprises at least one of: thermal fluid to achieve the desired thermal ablation result; the flow rate of the thermal fluid; and At least one physical dimension of the particular thermal ablation device. 23 . The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate the temperature-volume histogram by: generating the temperature-volume histogram further according to modeling content.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the modeled content represents at least one of a patient thermal state, a patient blood flow, and a patient anatomy.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate the temperature-volume histogram by generating the temperature-volume histogram further based on information about the geometry of the patient.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the information about the patient's geometry comprises at least one of: a designated patient volume of interest, a specific thermal ablation needle orientation / position / depth relative to patient geometry, and / or a specific plan or pattern for administering and using treatment equipment.

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