Intelligent radio frequency signal distribution system for medical treatment

Abstract

The intelligent radio frequency signal distribution system described allows the parameters of the RF signal emitted by an active electrode to be adjusted in real time, using a plurality of passive electrodes to determine the position of the active electrode by triangulation. The adaptation of signal parameters is performed by an electronic control unit based on anatomical presets, improving the effectiveness and safety of medical treatment.

Description

[0001] Intelligent radio frequency signal distribution system for medical treatment

[0002] Introduction

[0003] This patent relates to an innovative system for the intelligent distribution of radiofrequency (RF) signals used for the medical treatment of biological tissues. In particular, the invention focuses on the dynamic modulation of RF signal emission parameters based on the position of the active electrode and the anatomical characteristics of the treated region.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Existing technologies for treating biological tissues using radiofrequency often use predetermined and fixed emission parameters, without considering local anatomical variations or the position of the electrode. This can lead to ineffective or harmful treatments, especially in proximity to sensitive tissues such as superficial nerves or bones.

[0006] Purpose of the Invention

[0007] The invention aims to overcome the limitations of current technology by introducing a radiofrequency signal distribution system that can adapt signal parameters (such as amplitude, frequency and waveform) in real time according to the position of the active electrode in relation to the surrounding tissues and anatomical specificities.

[0008] Invention Description

[0009] The invention comprises a radio frequency generator (1), an active electrode (2) and a plurality of passive electrodes (3, 4, 5) positioned on the patient. The passive electrodes detect the induced currents and, through a triangulation process, determine the relative position of the active electrode. An electronic control unit (ECU) (9) receives the position data from the passive electrodes and adapts the parameters of the RF signal delivered by the active electrode in real time, according to predefined settings based on the anatomy and specific characteristics of the tissues being treated.

[0010] Mathematical Method for Triangulation

[0011] To determine the position of the active electrode relative to the passive electrodes in an intelligent radio frequency signal distribution system, several mathematical approaches can be used. In this section, we will describe two distinct methods for performing triangulation: one method based on the assumption of isotropic tissue and another method based on an interpolation technique starting from an initial calibration.

[0012] 1. Method Based on the Isotropic Tissue Assumption

[0013] Basic assumption: We assume that the biological tissue in which the electrodes are placed can be modelled as a flat, infinite isotropic medium in terms of impedance. This implies that the electrical properties of the tissue are uniform in all directions.

[0014] 1.1 Equations for Determining Position

[0015] Let us consider a system with one active electrode and n passive electrodes. Let li denote the current measured by the ith passive electrode and di denote the distance between the active electrode and the ith passive electrode. The relationship between the current and the distance in an isotropic medium is given by: where k is a proportionality constant that depends on the current supplied and the properties of the medium. Normalising with respect to the current supplied, we can write: where li\tilde is the normalised current and 10 is the total current supplied by the active electrode.

[0016] 1.2 Least Squares System for Triangulation

[0017] To determine the position of the active electrode, consider the system of linear equations resulting from the combination of the current equations for each passive electrode. Using a two-dimensional Cartesian reference system (x, y), the distances can be expressed as: where (xi,yi) represent the coordinates of the iii-th passive electrode.

[0018] By inserting this expression into the normalised equations and solving for x and y, we obtain a system of non-linear equations that can be solved using a weighted least squares approach, minimising the error between the measured currents and those calculated theoretically:

[0019] By minimising this error function, we obtain the position (x,y) of the active electrode.

[0020] 2. Method Based on Interpolation and Initial Calibration

[0021] Basic assumption: In addition to the assumption of isotropy, an initial calibration of the passive electrode positions is used to improve the accuracy of triangulation, considering that the medium may have local variations in impedance.

[0022] 2.1 Interpolation Technique

[0023] After positioning the passive electrodes, an initial calibration is performed by measuring the currents with a known position of the active electrode. These calibration data are used to construct an interpolation function that describes the relationship between the position of the active electrode and the currents measured by the passive electrodes.

[0024] Let us assume that we use linear interpolation. The position approximation can be expressed as: where weights are calculated based on measured currents, normalised with respect to the total current. A higher-order approximation can be used to improve accuracy, such as polynomial or spline interpolation.

[0025] 2.2 Current Normalisation

[0026] To ensure that the output is not affected by the arbitrary choice of the current supplied, all measurements are normalised with respect to the total current 10 at the time of calibration. This allows consistent results to be obtained regardless of the intensity of the current supplied: and the weights wi are determined by considering these normalised current.

[0027] Conclusions on mathematical methods

[0028] The two methods described offer complementary approaches for determining the position of the active electrode in a radiofrequency medical treatment system. The method based on the assumption of isotropy and least-squares triangulation is suitable for standard and uniform conditions, while the interpolation method based on initial calibration offers greater flexibility to handle local variations and improve the accuracy of the system. Both methods ensure that the current delivered can be chosen arbitrarily without affecting the accuracy of the triangulation.

[0029] Detailed description

[0030] 1 . Radiofrequency generator (1): Device designed to generate RF signals with variable waveforms, frequencies and amplitudes.

[0031] 2. Active electrode (2): Electrode through which the RF signal is transmitted to biological tissues. It is the key element that performs the direct treatment.

[0032] 3. Passive Electrodes (3, 4, 5): Sensors positioned in different areas of the patient, used to detect the currents induced by the RF signal, determining the position of the active electrode by triangulation.

[0033] 4. Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (9): Central system that receives data from the passive electrodes, processes information on the position of the active electrode, and adjusts the RF signal parameters according to specific settings based on the patient's anatomical mapping.

[0034] 5. Display System (10): Screen for real-time display of treatment parameters and the position of the active electrode.

Claims

Claims1. Independent claim:An intelligent radio frequency signal distribution system for medical treatment, comprising: o a configurable radio frequency generator (1 ); o a manual active electrode (2) configured to emit RF signals connected to the generator (1); o a plurality of passive electrodes (3, 4, 5) configured to detect currents using current sensors for each of them to determine the relative position of the active electrode by triangulation; o an electronic control unit (ECU) (9) configured to adapt in real time the parameters of the RF signal delivered by the active electrode based on the position determined by triangulation.

2. Dependent Claim 1 :The system according to claim 1 , wherein the ECU is configured to modify the amplitude of the RF signal, the waveform, the amplitude and the frequency depending on the position of the active electrode (1).

3. Dependent Claim 2:The system according to claim 1 , wherein the ECU is configured to vary the frequency of the RF signal according to the type of tissue detected, selecting different parameters for bone tissue than for muscle tissue.

4. Dependent Claim 3:The system according to claim 1 , wherein the ECU adapts the waveform of the RF signal according to the local anatomical configuration, minimising interference with sensitive tissues.

5. Dependent Claim 4:The system according to claim 1 , wherein the display system (10) is configured to provide real-time visual feedback on the position of the active electrode and the RF signal parameters.

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