Evaluation and Construction of Ablation Zone

Abstract

The present invention proposes to evaluate and improve the quality of predicted ablation zones generated from data obtained during an ablation procedure. In particular, the present invention proposes to compare the ablation zones generated during the ablation procedure with the ablation zones generated after the procedure has been performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ablation devices, and more particularly to an ablation device that captures ablation data during a procedure.

Background Art

[0002] Percutaneous thermal ablation is an interventional cancer treatment method for a subject that has seen a significant increase in adoption over the past decade. Thermal ablation can be delivered using various ablation modalities, including radiofrequency (RF), microwave (MW), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), focused laser ablation (FLA), irreversible electroporation (IRE), cryoablation, and the like.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In the clinical setting, these ablation procedures consist of placing one or more ablation applicators of an ablation system inside or near the target area with the aid of image guidance. Typically, a physician places these needle-like applicators while examining real-time ultrasound images or interventional radiology images (such as CT or MR images) based on information provided by the manufacturer, resulting in clinical trials and personal experience. In particular, these images are used to assist the clinician in placing the ablation applicator in the correct / desired area.

[0004] The use of more advanced ablation therapy planning systems (ATPS) that provide feedback regarding target coverage during a procedure has been studied. These systems can reconstruct the overall ablation zone based on the expected ablation zones (the "individual ablation zones") around individual ablations. Information regarding the shape and dimensions of such individual ablation zones is typically provided by the manufacturer of the ablation device. Information regarding the overall ablation zone can assist the clinician in helping the clinician completely ablate the desired area or zone of the patient during the ablation procedure.

[0005] After an ablation procedure is performed, generally, the subject undergoes an MRI examination to accurately establish the ablated zone of the subject, i.e., to determine the "true" ablation zone. The results of the MRI examination can be used, for example, to guide future ablations of the subject such that any areas missed during earlier ablations are ablated during subsequent ablation procedures.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 064449 (A1) relates to an apparatus for determining a tumor ablation margin. The method includes obtaining a pre-tumor ablation angiographic image and a post-tumor ablation angiographic image when a tumor ablation is performed, registering the pre-tumor ablation angiographic image and the post-tumor ablation angiographic image, and determining a tumor ablation margin according to the relative positions of the tumor region in the pre-tumor ablation angiographic image and the ablation region in the post-tumor ablation angiographic image after registration. Using one embodiment, the tumor ablation margin is directly determined during tumor ablation, thus improving the efficiency and success rate of tumor ablation.

[0007] Another document, US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 287066 (A1), relates to a workflow for minimally invasive interventions such as the treatment of cancerous tumors. The workflow includes placing a patient in a multi-functional imaging device, obtaining pre-intervention images of the patient's anatomical structure using computed tomography or angiography imaging functions, performing a minimally invasive intervention using a fluoroscopy imaging function while the patient is positioned in the multi-functional imaging device, and performing post-intervention imaging of the patient's anatomical structure using computed tomography or angiography imaging functions while the patient is positioned in the multi-functional imaging device. If post-intervention imaging determines that additional intervention is required, the additional intervention is performed while the patient is positioned in the imaging device. Pre-intervention images and datasets from other sources can be combined or used during the intervention. Treatment planning steps can be included before and after the intervention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0009] According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for enabling an assessment of the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone obtained from treatment data generated by an ablation system during an ablation procedure.

[0010] A computer-implemented method includes steps of obtaining ablation data during treatment generated by an ablation system during an ablation treatment, where the ablation data during treatment provides information regarding the ablation treatment performed on a subject; processing the ablation data during treatment to construct a predicted ablation zone that predicts an ablation zone generated by the ablation treatment; obtaining ablation data after treatment generated after the ablation treatment is performed on the subject, where the ablation data after treatment provides information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject; processing the ablation data after treatment to construct the achieved ablation zone; and registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other to realize an evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0011] The present invention relies on the recognition that information regarding the dimensions and shape of individual ablation zones (e.g., provided by the manufacturer of the ablation device) is inaccurate. This is because such dimensions and / or shapes are typically established under experimental conditions (e.g., ex vivo, animal, or different tissues) that do not match actual use.

[0012] Accordingly, the inventors recognized the need and / or desire to enable the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone (when the ablation plan is executed) to be evaluated. The inventors propose that such an evaluation can be made possible by registering the (achieved) ablation zone derived from the ablation data after treatment with the (predicted) ablation zone derived from the ablation data during treatment such that a comparison between the achieved (i.e., "true") ablation zone and the predicted ablation zone can be performed.

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention provides a new mechanism that can determine or calculate the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone, such as a prediction error.

[0014] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes determining an error between a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone. In other words, an embodiment can include actively determining the prediction error of a predicted ablation zone. This prediction error can be presented, displayed, or otherwise made available (to a clinician or operator) for purposes such as quality assurance, guiding subsequent treatment options, etc. to aid understanding.

[0015] Ablation data during treatment can include applicator information regarding the position, orientation, and / or type of one or more ablation applicators during an ablation treatment. In such embodiments, the step of constructing a predicted ablation zone can include processing the applicator information to construct the predicted ablation zone. In particular, the applicator information can be processed to construct individual predicted ablation zones around each individual applicator, and the individual ablation zones can together form the overall predicted ablation zone.

[0016] In some embodiments, the step of processing ablation data during treatment can include constructing a predicted ablation zone using ablation application settings. The applicator settings can define the individual predicted ablation zones around the individual ablations performed by each ablation applicator. In particular, the ablation application settings can enable a correspondence (mapping) to be made between the position, orientation, and / or type of the applicator (e.g., provided by the applicator information) and the individual ablation zones.

[0017] The method can further include determining an error between a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone. In other words, the difference between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be quantified by using error calculation. The formatting of the determined error is preferably numerical, for example, the root mean square error. Suitable examples of determining the error between ablation zones will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0018] The exact data format of the ablation zone can vary depending on the implementation details. For example, the ablation zone can be formed as (or can have) a mesh, a contour set, a binary mask, one or more analysis descriptions, etc. The ablation zone can be embedded in a communication standard such as DICOM or DICOM RT.

[0019] In particular, the data format of the ablation zone should enable the 3D construction of the ablation zone, for example, defining 3D positions, shapes, orientations, and / or one or more other characteristics that enable the 3D construction of the ablation zone. Other ways of defining the ablation zone will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0020] The method can further include adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system based on the determined error. In particular, the adjusted settings can include one or more settings that control the generation of the predicted ablation zone based on ablation data during the treatment.

[0021] In other words, subsequent steps of generating the predicted ablation zone can include processing the ablation data during the treatment using one or more adjusted settings of the ablation system to generate the predicted ablation zone.

[0022] Adjustments to the settings can be automated or responsive to user input. For example, an error can be displayed to the user / clinician / operator, and the user can use the error information to adjust how ablation data during the procedure is processed to construct a predicted ablation zone. For example, when a predicted ablation zone is constructed by combining individual ablation zones (for different examples of ablation applicators and / or different arrangements of different ablation applicators), based on the determined error, the default size and / or dimensions of each individual ablation zone can be changed.

[0023] This process can be automated by using machine learning methods, multi-dimensional optimization approaches, etc. As an example, by using a multi-dimensional optimization approach to automatically modify one or more settings, it is possible to reduce the numerical error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone.

[0024] In some embodiments, the ablation data during the procedure includes applicator information that identifies at least the position and type of one or more ablation applicators during the ablation procedure, and the step of constructing the predicted ablation zone includes processing the applicator information and one or more ablation applicator settings to construct the predicted ablation zone, where the one or more applicator settings define a predicted ablation zone around an individual ablation performed by each ablation applicator based on the applicator information, and the step of adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system includes adjusting at least one of the one or more applicator settings.

[0025] Ablation applicator information can identify the spatial position and / or orientation of one or more ablation applicators during an ablation procedure. Thereby, the method can predict, for example, the size, dimensions, and / or shape of each individual application of ablation using the applicator settings. The applicator settings can make a correspondence between the position and type of the applicator and the expected individual ablation zones.

[0026] The method can further include the step of sharing the adjusted settings of the ablation system with one or more other ablation systems.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the step of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone includes registering the in-treatment ablation data and the post-treatment ablation data with respect to each other, thereby registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with respect to each other.

[0028] By registering the in-treatment ablation data and the post-treatment ablation data with respect to each other, it is possible to indirectly register the ablation zones with respect to each other.

[0029] The step of registering the in-treatment ablation data and the post-treatment ablation data with respect to each other optionally includes the steps of obtaining reference ablation data, registering the in-treatment ablation data with respect to the reference ablation data, and registering the post-treatment ablation data with respect to the reference ablation data, thereby indirectly registering the in-treatment ablation data with respect to the post-treatment ablation data.

[0030] Accordingly, the ablation data during treatment and the ablation data after treatment can be registered with respect to some reference ablation data in order to facilitate the registration of the ablation data during treatment and the ablation data after treatment with each other. This provides a way to register two potentially different types of data with each other.

[0031] By registering the ablation data during treatment with the reference ablation data, the ablation data during treatment can be registered during the ablation treatment itself, for example, avoiding the need to perform potentially complex registrations or alignments after the registration has been performed.

[0032] In a particular example, during the ablation treatment, the ablation data during treatment can be registered with respect to the reference ablation data using an image generated to assist the clinician in performing the ablation treatment.

[0033] The reference ablation data can include, for example, pre-treatment ablation data generated before the ablation treatment is performed on the subject.

[0034] In some embodiments, the step of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone includes directly processing the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone to register the two ablation zones with each other.

[0035] In other words, the constructed ablation zones can be directly processed to register the two ablation zones with each other, rather than being indirectly registered by registering the corresponding ablation data.

[0036] In some embodiments, registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can include registering the predicted ablation zone relative to a reference ablation zone and registering the achieved ablation zone relative to the reference ablation zone, thereby registering the two ablation zones relative to each other. The reference ablation zone can be, for example, a default or representative ablation zone for a procedure that is performed when the ablation procedure is performed on a subject.

[0037] Post-treatment ablation data can include one or more medical images of the subject captured after the ablation procedure, and the one or more medical images provide visual information regarding the achieved ablation zone.

[0038] Thereby, post-treatment ablation data can include any suitable medical image of the subject that provides an image of the achieved ablation zone. A particularly preferred example of a medical image is an MR(I) image. MR images provide the ability to delineate the achieved / true ablation zone based on soft tissue contrast generated by an MR sequence.

[0039] Intra-treatment ablation data can include one or more medical images captured during the ablation procedure.

[0040] Suitable examples of some medical images include any suitable ultrasound or interventional radiology images (such as CT or MR images).

[0041] In at least one embodiment, the post-treatment ablation data includes one or more medical images of a subject captured after an ablation treatment, the one or more medical images providing visual information regarding the achieved ablation zone, and registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone relative to each other includes registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment to at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment, thereby registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone relative to each other.

[0042] Optionally, the step of registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment to at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment includes obtaining a reference medical image, registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment to the reference medical image, and registering at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment to the reference medical image, thereby indirectly registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment to at least one of the medical images obtained after the ablation treatment.

[0043] The method can further include the step of displaying the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, such display being based on the registration between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone.

[0044] In particular, the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be displayed within a single reference frame, thereby enabling quality assurance of the ablation zone. Other ways of displaying the ablation zone based on the registration between the two ablation zones will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product having computer program code means for causing a processing system to execute all of the steps of any of the methods described herein when executed on a computing device having the processing system.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ablation system that enables evaluation of the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone obtained from treatment data generated by the ablation system during an ablation procedure.

[0047] The ablation system has an ablation treatment planning system (ATPS) and an ablation therapy follow-up system (ATFS).

[0048] The ablation treatment planning system is configured to acquire treatment ablation data generated by the ablation system during an ablation procedure, and the treatment ablation data provides information regarding the ablation procedure performed on the subject.

[0049] The ablation therapy follow-up system is configured to perform the steps of acquiring post-treatment ablation data generated after the ablation procedure has been performed on the subject, the post-treatment ablation data providing information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject; processing the post-treatment ablation data to construct the achieved ablation zone; registering a predicted ablation zone, which predicts the ablation zone generated by the ablation procedure, with the achieved ablation zone, thereby enabling evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0050] Either the ATPS or the ATFS is configured to process ablation data during treatment to construct a predicted ablation zone.

[0051] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0052] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show how the present invention can be implemented, reference is made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0054] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. Also, it should be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0056] The present invention provides a concept for evaluating and improving the quality of a predicted ablation zone generated from data obtained during an ablation procedure. In particular, the present invention proposes comparing a predicted ablation zone generated during an ablation procedure with an actual ablation zone generated after the procedure has been performed.

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention are based on the recognition that a predicted ablation zone can be inaccurate due to, for example, the way in which data used to predict the ablation zone is generated. This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete ablation during the ablation procedure, which will likely lead to a degradation in the quality of patient treatment.

[0058] The present invention can be used in any clinical environment, for example, in a hospital where tumor ablation is performed.

[0059] In the context of the present invention, an "ablation zone" is data that provides a (3D) model of the ablated region and will be well understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the data forming the ablation zone can enable a (3D) visual representation of the ablated region of the subject to be visually presented or displayed (e.g., to a user).

[0060] The data format of the ablation zone should enable the (3D) construction of the ablation zone and define, for example, the (3D) position, shape, orientation, and / or one or more other characteristics that enable the (3D) construction of the ablation zone. The exact data format of the ablation zone is not essential for achieving the inventive concept underlying the present invention, provided that the ablation zones can be (spatially) registered with respect to each other (and preferably processed to determine the error between the ablation zones).

[0061] Suitable examples of data formats for the ablation zone include meshes, contour sets, binary masks, one or more analytical descriptions, and the like. The ablation zone is embedded in a communication standard such as DICOM or DICOM RT.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows an ablation system 100 in which embodiments of the present invention can be implemented.

[0063] The ablation system 100 includes an ablation treatment planning system, ATPS 110, and an ablation treatment follow-up system, ATFS 120. The illustrated ablation system 100 also includes one or more ablation applicators 150, which are not an essential part of the ablation system.

[0064] The ablation applicators 150 are configured to deliver individual ablations to regions of the subject when they are properly positioned and activated with respect to the subject. Typically, the positioning of the ablation applicators is performed manually by a clinician.

[0065] The size (e.g., dimensions) and shape of the individual ablations can depend on many factors such as the type of applicator, the length of activation, the position of the applicator, and the like. Different ablation applicators 150 can also deliver ablations according to different modalities. For example, thermal ablation can be delivered using various ablation modalities including radiofrequency (RF), microwave (MW), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), focal laser ablation (FLA), irreversible electroporation (IRE), cryoablation, and the like.

[0066] Of course, the ablation applicator 150 can be controlled by an ablation controller, which can be integrated into the ablation treatment planning system or can be separate, and can control the application applicator when ablation is performed by the ablation applicator. The ablation applicator can be actuated in response to a user input (e.g., a user trigger) or automatically.

[0067] Typically, ablation of a subject is performed by following an ablation plan. The ablation plan can indicate the recommended position of the ablation applicator 150 with respect to the subject to achieve ablation of the desired / planned ablation zone. The size / shape of the desired / planned ablation zone can be selected to ablate a desired region of the subject (e.g., the location of a tumor within the subject).

[0068] The ATPS 110 can guide the clinician during the ablation procedure. In particular, the ATPS can be configured to provide real-time information (e.g., real-time ultrasound or interventional radiology images (CT / MR)) to assist the clinician in positioning the applicator within the subject.

[0069] The ATPS 110 may be configured to function as an ablation controller that controls, for example, when one or more ablation applicators 150 operate to apply ablation. The activation of the ablation applicator may be automatic (e.g., when the applicator reaches the recommended position) or in response to a user input (activated by the clinician).

[0070] In some further examples, the ATPS can be configured to obtain or generate an ablation plan that can identify the appropriate location of the (one or more) ablation applicators to ablate a desired region of a subject (e.g., ablate a tumor or cancer region). The ATPS can show these desired locations or the distance of the applicator from the desired locations to a clinician (e.g., using markers on an image).

[0071] The ATPS 110 is configured to record ablation data during treatment, such as data obtained during an ablation procedure.

[0072] In a specific example, the data during treatment can include information regarding the position, location, and / or orientation of the (one or more) ablation applicators when performing the ablation. The data during treatment may further provide information regarding the type of ablation being performed (e.g., the type or mode of the ablation applicator when performing the ablation).

[0073] In other examples, the data during treatment can provide information regarding the path traced by the ablation applicator during the ablation treatment.

[0074] In some other examples, the data during treatment may include medical images during treatment of the region under ablation, such as CT, ultrasound, or MR images.

[0075] ATPS110 can be configured to process ablation data during a procedure to construct a predicted ablation zone that predicts the (overall) ablation zone generated by the ablation procedure. This process can be performed during or after the procedure. When performed during the procedure, the predicted ablation zone can be updated (and displayed to the user) periodically to assist the clinician in identifying, for example, the predicted regions that have been ablated so far during the ablation procedure.

[0076] Various embodiments of this process will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can depend on the details of the implementation of the ablation data during the procedure.

[0077] In one embodiment, when the ablation data during the procedure provides information regarding the position, location, and / or orientation of the ablation applicator when performing the ablation, the ATPS can be configured to predict the size, shape, and position of each individual ablation zone generated by the ablation. Other information about the ablation applicator, such as the type of applicator and / or the mode of the applicator, can also be used. It will be understood that the ablation applicator ablates individual ablation zones when performing the ablation.

[0078] To generate individual ablation zones, ATPS110 can use ablation settings that define the size and / or shape of the individual ablations based on, for example, the type, mode, location, and / or orientation of the ablation applicator when the ablation applicator is activated (i.e., when performing the ablation). The settings can define, for example, the size of the major and minor axes (for elliptical ablation) and the offset of a particular ablation zone relative to the applicator.

[0079] Next, ATPS110 can construct a predicted (overall) ablation zone (hereinafter, "predicted ablation zone") by combining the individual ablation zones. In other words, ATPS can predict which regions of the subject will be ablated.

[0080] Accordingly, ATPS110 may be able to construct a predicted ablation zone using ablation data during the procedure. Other ways of constructing a predicted ablation zone using ablation data during the procedure will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0081] As just another example, ATPS can be configured to generate a predicted ablation zone from (medical) images captured during an ablation treatment procedure (e.g., using a machine learning algorithm or an image segmentation process).

[0082] As yet another example, ATPS can be configured to generate a predicted ablation zone from the path traced by the ablation applicator(s) during the ablation procedure, e.g., by comparing the traced path to a historical path and the corresponding ablation zone generated for the historical path.

[0083] As yet another example, if the ablation data during the procedure provides information regarding the position, location, and / or orientation of the ablation applicator when performing the ablation, ATPS can be configured to directly associate (e.g., by referring to a look-up table) between the identified position, location, and / or orientation of the (one or more) ablation applicators and the predicted ablation zone, rather than by predicting and combining the individual ablation zones.

[0084] From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the predicted ablation zone is derived from ablation data during the procedure, i.e., data derived during the procedure.

[0085] In some examples, the ATPS can be adapted to dynamically generate (and display in the user interface) the predicted ablation zone based on, for example, live ablation data generated by the ATPS during the ablation procedure. This can be performed iteratively throughout the ablation procedure, thereby updating the predicted ablation zone throughout the ablation procedure. This enables the user / clinician to track the predicted progression of the entire ablation.

[0086] In other examples, the predicted ablation zone can be generated when the procedure is complete. Alternatively, the user can simply use medical images (and optionally, the recommended location of the applicator) when controlling the procedure.

[0087] The ATFS120 is configured to generate the achieved ablation zone and identify the "true" or measured size / shape of the ablation zone. The ATFS is actuated after the ablation procedure is complete (e.g., 3 to 21 days after the ablation procedure) and can be used to determine where further ablation is needed (e.g., to remove a tumor).

[0088] The achieved ablation zone is determined from post-treatment ablation data, i.e., data obtained after the ablation procedure is complete. Suitable examples of post-treatment ablation data include medical image data, such as MR (magnetic resonance) images, i.e., "post-treatment medical images".

[0089] ATFS provides the ability to outline the "true" or achieved ablation zone based on soft tissue contrast generated by an MR sequence. The method of using ATFS to determine the true ablation zone will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Typically, such methods involve segmenting one or more medical (e.g., MR) images using a machine learning or segmentation approach to identify the location of the ablated zone.

[0090] For completeness, it should be noted that the generation of the achieved ablation zone from one or more medical images (which form the post-treatment ablation data) can be delivered using one or more of a 2D (e.g., outlining) or 3D (e.g., brush) manual outlining tool, a 2D (e.g., active contour) or 3D (e.g., image-adaptive brush) semi-automatic outlining tool, and / or an automatic outlining tool using techniques ranging from classical binary morphology to deep learning approaches (e.g., convolutional neural networks).

[0091] From the above, it will be apparent that the achieved ablation zone is derived from the post-treatment ablation data, i.e., data derived after the treatment.

[0092] In some examples, ATFS can perform the step of generating a predicted ablation zone from the intra-treatment ablation data. This can be performed using the approaches described above.

[0093] The present invention recognizes that the true / achieved ablation zone can differ from the predicted ablation zone. This can lead to inaccurate assumptions during the ablation procedure. For example, the predicted ablation zone can indicate that the entire desired region has been ablated when, in fact, the entire desired region has not been ablated (however, this can only be recognized after the treatment).

[0094] However, the inventors have also recognized that it is very difficult to accurately generate the "true" ablation zone using, for example, medical images generated during the ablation procedure during the ablation treatment. This is because secondary effects such as edema or bleeding often disrupt the visualization during the treatment of the true / achieved ablation zone during the procedure.

[0095] For these reasons, the inventors have recognized the importance of evaluating and preferably improving the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0096] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a computer-implemented method 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 can be executed by the ablation system 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1.

[0097] The method 200 includes a step 201 of acquiring in-treatment ablation data generated by the ablation system during the ablation treatment.

[0098] The in-treatment ablation data provides information regarding the ablation treatment performed on the subject, such as applicator information identifying at least the position and type of one or more ablation applicators during the ablation treatment. The in-treatment ablation data optionally provides one or more medical images of the subject obtained, for example, during the ablation treatment of the region being ablated.

[0099] Next, the method 200 can move to a step 202 of processing the in-treatment ablation data to construct a predicted ablation zone that predicts the ablation zone generated by the ablation treatment.

[0100] Step 202 includes processing ablation data during the procedure to construct a predicted ablation zone that predicts the ablation zone generated by the ablation procedure. The method of processing ablation data during the procedure has been previously described with reference to FIG. 1, but other methods of deriving the predicted ablation zone will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0101] In some embodiments, step 202 can include delineating or identifying regions present in the ablation data during the procedure, for example, by performing a segmentation process on the ablation data during the procedure. By way of example, the ablation data during the procedure can include one or more medical images captured during the ablation procedure, which can be delineated to identify regions of the subject (e.g., organs, bones, etc.).

[0102] Steps 201 and 202 can be performed by an ATPS such as the ATPS described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0103] Next, method 200 proceeds to step 203 of obtaining post-ablation data generated after the ablation procedure has been performed on the subject. The post-ablation data provides information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject, in the form of, for example, one or more medical images such as any suitable ultrasound or interventional radiology image (e.g., CT, ultrasound, or MR image).

[0104] The method then proceeds to step 204 of processing the post-ablation data to construct the achieved ablation zone. The method of constructing the achieved ablation zone from the post-ablation data will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be, for example, by segmenting or delineating one or more (medical) images of the post-ablation data. Some methods of constructing the achieved ablation zone from the post-ablation data have been described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0105] In certain embodiments, step 204 includes identifying or delineating the contours of the regions present in the post-treatment ablation data. By way of example, the post-treatment ablation data can include one or more medical images captured after the ablation treatment, and the medical images can be delineated to delineate or identify regions of the subject (e.g., organs, bones, etc.).

[0106] Next, the method proceeds to step 205 of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other, thereby enabling an assessment of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0107] Various methods of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other are contemplated in the present disclosure.

[0108] In some embodiments, the registration of the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be performed by registering the intra-treatment ablation data and the post-treatment ablation data with each other (thereby also registering the ablation zones derived therefrom with each other). The registration can be stored when converting the intra-treatment or post-treatment ablation data into ablation zones.

[0109] In these embodiments, the registration of the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be effectively performed before it is necessary to generate the ablation zones.

[0110] In other embodiments, the ablation zones are registered by processing the ablation zones themselves.

[0111] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "register" (align) is used, for example, to mean "spatially register" such that relative locations, orientations, and / or distances between different elements of different data sets or data instances can be identified. A number of ways to register data with each other are described herein, although other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0112] As a mere example, if ablation data during treatment provides information regarding the location of an ablation applicator during an ablation treatment and ablation data after treatment includes one or more medical images of the ablated region, registering the ablation data during treatment and the ablation data after treatment can include determining the relative location of the ablation applicator during the ablation treatment with respect to the medical image of the ablated region.

[0113] The process for registration between ablation data during treatment and ablation data after treatment can be performed manually or automatically.

[0114] When a manual approach is used, the ablation data during treatment (e.g., medical images during treatment) and / or a visual representation of a predicted ablation zone, and the data after treatment (e.g., medical images after treatment) and / or a visual representation of the achieved ablation zone can be presented to the user / clinician via a user interface. The user / clinician can manipulate the visual representations via the user interface to manually align or register the data during or after treatment with respect to each other, thereby registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with respect to each other.

[0115] For example, a manual registration tool includes providing a pan and rotation tool for aligning the visual representation of the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, thereby enabling the user to register the two ablation zones with each other.

[0116] After registration, movement of one ablation zone can cause a corresponding movement in another ablation zone (e.g., to enable the user to manipulate the image and better understand the difference between the actual ablation zone and the predicted ablation zone).

[0117] In another example, when contouring of regions within the intra-treatment and post-treatment data is performed, the manual registration tool provides a pan tool and a rotation tool to enable the clinician to align the contoured regions derived from the intra-treatment and post-treatment ablation data with each other, thereby enabling the user to register the intra-treatment and post-treatment ablation data with each other (e.g., aligning different organs and / or bones provided in the intra-treatment and post-treatment contouring).

[0118] In yet another example, when intra-treatment and post-treatment medical images are available, a toolset (e.g., providing a pan, zoom, and / or rotation tool) can be provided to enable the user to manually align one or more intra-treatment and post-treatment medical images with respect to each other, enabling the medical images to be registered with each other.

[0119] Rather than using a manual approach, any suitable automated approach can be used to register the ablation during data and the ablation after data with respect to each other.

[0120] As a mere example, when intraoperative and postoperative medical images are available, image-based registration between the intraoperative and postoperative medical images can be performed, for example, using maximization of cross-correlation or mutual information.

[0121] Similarly, when contouring of regions within intraoperative and postoperative data has been performed, for example, a contour-based registration between the contoured regions existing within the intraoperative and postoperative data is performed using an iterative closest point algorithm to minimize, for example, the RMS error between the contoured regions.

[0122] In another example, contour-based registration between a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone can be performed, for example, using an iterative closest point algorithm to minimize the RMS error between the two.

[0123] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that registering intraoperative ablation data and postoperative ablation data with each other can include modifying one or more of the intraoperative ablation data and the postoperative ablation data to account for, for example, any rotation, skew, mirroring, resizing performed to register the images with each other.

[0124] In such an example, when two aspects of intraoperative data and postoperative data are registered with respect to each other (e.g., medical images are registered with respect to each other), other aspects of the intraoperative data and / or postoperative data and / or derived ablation zones can be automatically modified based on the registration between the intraoperative data and the postoperative data.

[0125] For example, if both the during-treatment and post-treatment data have one or more medical images, the during-treatment and post-treatment data can be registered with each other such that the post-treatment medical image is modified (e.g., rotated or resized) to be mapped onto the during-treatment medical image (or vice versa). The predicted and / or achieved ablation zone can be appropriately modified to match or mirror the applied modification in the corresponding during-treatment or post-treatment data so as to register the predicted ablation zone and the ablation zone with each other.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the (derived) during-treatment data and the (derived) post-treatment data are directly registered with each other. However, in other examples, the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be indirectly registered via reference ablation data.

[0127] The reference ablation data can include, for example, pre-treatment ablation data generated before the ablation treatment is performed on the subject.

[0128] As a mere example, the pre-treatment ablation data may include one or more medical images of the area to be ablated, i.e., the "pre-treatment medical image". The during-treatment ablation data can be used to register the predicted ablation zone with respect to the pre-treatment medical image (e.g., by registering the during-treatment medical image with the pre-treatment medical image using any suitable image registration approach). Similarly, the post-treatment ablation data may be registered with respect to the pre-treatment medical image in a similar manner. In this way, the during-treatment ablation data and the post-treatment ablation data can also be indirectly registered with each other.

[0129] The use of reference ablation data enables registration of a predicted ablation zone to an achieved ablation zone by use of ablation data during treatment (e.g., medical images), which need not require that the ablation data during treatment be available simultaneously with post-treatment ablation data and / or the achieved ablation zone. In particular, by registering the predicted ablation zone to the reference ablation data (e.g., pre-operative images), the ablation data during treatment can be discarded or deleted.

[0130] Accordingly, in a modification to method 200, step 205 can be split into a first sub-step of registering a predicted ablation zone to reference ablation data (e.g., using ablation data during treatment) and a second sub-step of registering an achieved ablation zone to reference ablation data (e.g., using post-treatment ablation data). The first sub-step can be performed before steps 203 and 204 are performed, such that the data during treatment can be deleted (in a step not shown) before steps 203 and 204 are performed.

[0131] The approach described above uses image registration techniques, but other methods of registering data to each other will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0132] From the above, it will be apparent that numerous direct and indirect methods for registering a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone (spatially) to each other are envisioned.

[0133] By registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other, the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone can be evaluated. This can be used, for example, for quality assurance purposes to ensure that the prediction is correct, or can be used to correct and / or calibrate the information used to generate the predicted ablation zone.

[0134] Optional step 206 may be executed. Step 206 includes displaying the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone (e.g., within a single reference frame) based on the registration data between the acquired in-treatment ablation zone and the post-treatment ablation zone. This enables, for example, quality assurance to be performed to allow the user to evaluate the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0135] In some preferred embodiments, step 206 includes displaying the predicted ablation zone and / or the achieved ablation zone for the in-treatment medical image and / or (if available) the post-treatment medical image. The predicted ablation zone and / or the achieved ablation zone can overlay one or more of these images. The accurate display can be configured to respond to user input. For example, the user can select which medical image is used.

[0136] This process can require that the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone be registered with respect to the in-treatment medical image and / or the post-treatment medical image.

[0137] Method 200 can further include step 207 of calculating an error between a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone. Specifically, step 207 can include calculating a numerical error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone.

[0138] The exact mechanism for determining the error can vary depending on the implementation details. In some examples, a root mean square error or a mean absolute error can be determined between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone.

[0139] Method 200 can include, for example, step 208 of displaying the determined error on a display system. Step 208 is optional but can help a clinician understand and evaluate the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0140] In some embodiments, method 200 includes step 209 of adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system. Preferably, this step is performed using the error determined in step 207. In particular, the one or more settings can be the settings used to generate the predicted ablation zone.

[0141] As a mere example, if the ablation system combines (predicted) individual ablation zones to generate a predicted ablation zone and uses ablation settings that define the size and / or shape of the individual ablations, the one or more settings can include one or more of these ablation settings. Thus, in some examples, the one or more settings (to be modified) can define the size of the major and / or minor axes (in the case of elliptical ablation) and, optionally, the offset of a particular ablation zone with respect to the applicator.

[0142] Other suitable settings for controlling the generation of the predicted ablation zone will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can depend on the mechanism used to generate the predicted ablation zone from ablation data during the procedure.

[0143] Step 209 can be performed automatically and / or in response to manual input.

[0144] For manual adjustment of the settings, the user / clinician may be able to adjust one or more settings of the ablation system (e.g., the lengths of the primary and / or secondary axes and / or the offsets of the individual ablation zones). This adjustment can be performed by the user interacting with the user interface, e.g., by providing user input. The method can respond to user adjustments (e.g., via user input) by updating the predicted ablation zone using the new settings, e.g., by processing ablation data during the procedure using one or more settings of the ablation system to regenerate the predicted ablation zone again.

[0145] Preferably, when manual adjustment is performed, step 206 is executed. This allows the user / clinician to observe the effect of those adjustments on the settings of the ablation system and determine whether those adjustments improve or have an adverse effect on the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone (compared to the achieved ablation zone).

[0146] To further assist the user / clinician in performing manual adjustments, the error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone can be calculated and displayed (i.e., steps 207 and 208 can be executed). This provides a quantitative measure of how changing the settings will improve or have an adverse effect on the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0147] Alternatively, one or more settings of the ablation system can be automatically adjusted. This can be performed using a mathematical optimization approach such as a multi-dimensional optimization approach. In particular, step 207 can be performed to calculate or generate an error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, and such error is then used to perform an optimization approach (e.g., to minimize or reduce the error).

[0148] In certain examples, a sequence can be performed of modifying one or more settings, regenerating the predicted ablation zone, and re-determining the error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone. This sequence can be iteratively repeated using a mathematical optimization approach to modify one or more settings.

[0149] A manual approach and an automatic approach can also be combined. For example, an automatic approach for adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system can be performed, after which the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone are displayed (e.g., for evaluation by a user / clinician), and then further modification by the user / clinician can be received.

[0150] In both manual and automatic optimization, the method can be adapted to appropriately handle some of these rare cases of optimization. For example, individual ablations placed at the center of a large target may not affect the outer boundary of the expected ablation zone. This should be clearly communicated to the user in both manual and automatic optimization. In another example, an ablation procedure may not necessarily include all types of ablation that can be combined in one procedure. The ablation data for such unused ablations should not be changed.

[0151] The process of changing one or more settings of the ablation system can be performed by any element of the ablation system, for example, by the ATPS or the ATFS. In a preferred example, the modified settings are provided to (or at least made available to) the ATPS, providing improved treatment guidance during subsequent cases.

[0152] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an ablation system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ablation system 300 includes an ablation treatment planning system ATPS 310 and an ablation treatment follow-up system ATFS 320.

[0153] The ATPS is adapted to acquire in-treatment ablation data generated by the ablation system during an ablation procedure, and the in-treatment ablation data provides information regarding the ablation procedure performed on a subject.

[0154] The ATFS is configured to perform steps of acquiring post-treatment ablation data generated after an ablation procedure has been performed on a subject, where the post-treatment ablation data provides information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject, processing the post-treatment ablation data to construct the achieved ablation zone, recording the predicted ablation zone, which is a predicted ablation zone generated by the ablation procedure, and the achieved ablation zone together, thereby enabling an evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone.

[0155] Either the ATPS or the ATFS is configured to process the in-treatment ablation data to construct a predicted ablation zone.

[0156] One skilled in the art can adapt the ATPS and / or the ATFS to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0157] For example, the ATFS preferably has a user interface configured to display a predicted ablation zone and an achieved ablation zone, and these ablation zones are registered relative to each other.

[0158] In some examples, if the ATFS is adapted to modify the settings used to generate the predicted ablation zone, this information can be passed to the ATPS (which can be used to modify the settings of the ATPS, for example, to improve the display of the predicted ablation zone during the ablation procedure). In such embodiments, the ATPS can be adapted to dynamically generate (and display on the user interface) a predicted ablation zone during the ablation procedure, for example, based on raw in-treatment ablation data generated by the ATPS.

[0159] FIG. 4 is used to show the registration between the predicted ablation zone and the actual ablation zone. For clarity, these exemplary zones are superposed on an exemplary MRI zone to demonstrate the "real" correlation between the two zones.

[0160] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary MRI image 400 (obtained after the ablation procedure). There is a well-defined ablation defect with surrounding hyperemia.

[0161] In the first example, only the actual ablation zone 410 is illustrated / contoured (in dotted line format). This ablation zone is generated using a segmentation process and registered / aligned with the MRI image.

[0162] In a second example, a predicted ablation zone 420 is also shown (registered with respect to the actual ablation zone (as well as the MRI image)). Since the two ablation zones are (spatially) registered with respect to each other, the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone can be easily identified and corrected, either manually or automatically.

[0163] Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows the use and purpose of the present invention, namely, registering the predicted ablation zone and the actual ablation zone with respect to each other so that the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone can be corrected.

[0164] Generally speaking, embodiments are directed to the concept of evaluating and optionally improving the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone by registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation with respect to each other.

[0165] However, in some embodiments, it is also possible to use a planned ablation zone. The planned ablation zone can define a desired region for ablation, e.g., the region of a tumor, and can be used to generate an ablation plan.

[0166] Embodiments can further include registering the planned ablation zone with respect to the predicted / achieved ablation zone to determine the accuracy of the overall ablation treatment with respect to the planned ablation zone. This information can be used to improve the ablation treatment plan and / or to identify errors in the placement of the ablation applicator.

[0167] As an example, if there is only a slight error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, but there is a large error between the planned ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, this clearly indicates that there was an error in the placement of the ablation applicator during the ablation procedure.

[0168] This information can be used to improve the ablation plan, for example, by identifying areas of the achieved ablation zone that were not reached according to the ablation plan.

[0169] One skilled in the art can easily develop a processing system for implementing any of the methods described herein. Accordingly, each step of the flowchart represents a different operation to be performed by the processing system and can be performed by individual modules of the processing system.

[0170] Accordingly, embodiments can utilize a processing system. The processing system can be implemented in various ways using software and / or hardware to perform the various functions required. A processor is an example of a processing system that uses one or more microprocessors programmed with software (e.g., microcode) to perform the required functions. However, the processing system can be implemented with or without using a processor and can be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware for performing some functions and a processor (one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) for performing other functions.

[0171] Examples of components of the processing system used in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0172] In various implementations, a processor or processing system may be associated with one or more storage media of volatile and non-volatile computer memories, such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that perform the required functions when executed on one or more processors and / or processing systems. The various storage media may be fixed within the processor or processing system or may be transportable, whereby one or more programs stored on the storage media can be loaded into the processor or processing system.

[0173] It is understood that the disclosed method is preferably a computer-implemented method. As such, the concept of a computer program having code means for performing any of the described methods when the program is executed on a processing system, such as a computer, is also proposed. Accordingly, different parts, lines, or blocks of the code of a computer program according to one embodiment can be executed by a processing system or computer to perform any of the methods described herein. In some alternative implementations, the functions described in the block diagrams or flowcharts may be performed in an order different from that described in the drawings. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may be performed in the reverse order depending on the functions involved.

[0174] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used advantageously. Where a computer program is described above, the computer program can be stored or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but it may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. When the term "adapted to" is used in a claim or specification, the term "adapted to" is meant to be equivalent to the term "configured to". No reference signs in the claims should be construed as limiting its scope.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing an assessment of the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone obtained from treatment data generated by an ablation system during an ablation procedure, the computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining ablation treatment data generated by an ablation system during an ablation procedure, the ablation treatment data providing information regarding the ablation procedure being performed on a subject, the ablation treatment data including applicator information identifying the position and / or orientation and / or type of one or more ablation applicators during the ablation procedure; processing the ablation treatment data having the applicator information to construct a predicted ablation zone predicting the ablation zone generated by the ablation procedure; obtaining post-treatment ablation data generated after the ablation procedure has been performed on the subject, the post-treatment ablation data providing information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject; processing the post-treatment ablation data to construct the achieved ablation zone; registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with respect to each other; determining an error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, thereby providing an assessment of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone; using the assessment of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone to calibrate the applicator information used to generate the predicted ablation zone; comprising; the predicted ablation zone is constructed by combining a plurality of individual ablation zones; the applicator information further includes the default size and / or dimensions of each ablation zone; the step of calibrating the applicator information using the assessment of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone includes changing the default size and / or dimensions of each individual ablation zone based on the determined error; A computer-implemented method.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the determined error. **Claim 3** The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system based on the determined error. **Claim 4** One or more settings of the ablation system define the size of the major axis and / or minor axis related to elliptical ablation, and / or the offset of the ablation zone with respect to the ablation applicator, according to the computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 3. **Claim 5** The ablation data during treatment has applicator information identifying at least the position and type of one or more ablation applicators during the ablation treatment. The step of constructing the predicted ablation zone has the step of processing the applicator information and one or more ablation applicator settings to construct the predicted ablation zone, where the one or more ablation applicator settings define a predicted ablation zone around each individual ablation performed by each ablation applicator based on the applicator information, and the step of adjusting one or more settings of the ablation system includes adjusting at least one of the one or more ablation applicator settings, according to the computer-implemented method of claim 3. **Claim 6** The computer-implemented method according to claim 3 or 5, or claim 4 that cites claim 3, further comprising the step of sharing the adjusted settings of the ablation system with one or more other ablation systems. **Claim 7** The step of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone is the step of registering the ablation data during treatment and the ablation data after treatment with respect to each other, thereby registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with respect to each other, according to the computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 6. **Claim 8** The step of registering the ablation data during treatment and the ablation data after treatment with respect to each other is Obtaining pre-ablation data generated before the ablation treatment is performed on the subject; Registering the during-treatment ablation data with respect to the pre-ablation data; Registering the post-treatment ablation data with respect to the pre-ablation data, thereby indirectly registering the during-treatment ablation data with respect to the post-treatment ablation data; The computer-implemented method according to claim 7, comprising:

9. The step of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone includes directly processing the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone to register the two ablation zones with each other. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The post-treatment ablation data includes one or more medical images of the subject captured after the ablation treatment, and the one or more medical images provide visual information regarding the achieved ablation zone. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The during-treatment ablation data has one or more medical images captured during the ablation treatment. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The post-treatment ablation data has one or more medical images of the subject captured after the ablation treatment, the one or more medical images provide visual information regarding the achieved ablation zone, and the step of registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other includes registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment with respect to at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment, thereby registering the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone with each other. The computer-implemented method according to claim 11, comprising:

13. The step of registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment with respect to at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment, The step of acquiring a medical image of a non-subject captured before the ablation treatment; The step of registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment with respect to the medical image captured before the ablation treatment; The step of registering at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment with respect to the medical image captured before the ablation treatment, thereby indirectly registering at least one of the medical images captured during the ablation treatment with respect to at least one of the medical images captured after the ablation treatment; The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, comprising:

14. An ablation system that provides an evaluation of the accuracy of a predicted ablation zone obtained from treatment data generated by the ablation system during an ablation treatment, the ablation system comprising: An ablation treatment planning system configured to acquire treatment ablation data generated by the ablation system during an ablation treatment, the treatment ablation data providing information regarding the ablation treatment performed on a subject, the treatment ablation data including applicator information identifying the position and / or orientation and / or type of one or more ablation applicators during the ablation treatment; An ablation treatment follow-up system, comprising: The step of acquiring post-treatment ablation data generated after the ablation treatment has been performed on a subject, the post-treatment ablation data providing information regarding the achieved ablation zone of the subject; The step of processing the post-treatment ablation data to construct the achieved ablation zone; Registering a predicted ablation zone that predicts an ablation zone generated by the ablation treatment and the achieved ablation zone with respect to each other; Determining an error between the predicted ablation zone and the achieved ablation zone, thereby providing an evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone; An ablation treatment follow-up system configured to perform; Having, either the ablation treatment planning system or the ablation treatment follow-up system processes the in-treatment data including the applicator information to construct the predicted ablation zone, and calibrates the applicator information used to generate the predicted ablation zone using the evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone; Configured to perform; The predicted ablation zone is constructed by combining a plurality of individual ablation zones; The applicator information further has a default size and / or dimension of each ablation zone; The step of calibrating the applicator information using the evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted ablation zone includes changing the default size and / or dimension of each individual ablation zone based on the determined error; An ablation system.

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