83 results about "Tumor ablation" patented technology

The invention relates to a planning method, device and equipment for treating brain glioma through multi-fiber laser ablation. The method comprises the following steps: according to pre-acquired image information of a target patient and a segmentation result of a tumor region, sequentially performing segmentation sampling processing on the image information to obtain a candidate optical fiber path set; screening the candidate optical fiber path set according to an optical fiber planning objective function and an optical fiber planning constraint condition to obtain an intermediate optical fiber path set, and determining the number of optical fibers required by tumor ablation according to the intermediate optical fiber path set; determining a target optical fiber path set from the intermediate optical fiber path set according to the number of optical fibers required by tumor ablation and a predetermined path evaluation score; the target optical fiber path set at least comprises position information corresponding to each target optical fiber path. The method can improve the tumor ablation rate and reduce the use of optical fibers.

The invention provides an electric tungsten fire needle tumor ablation system, and the system comprises an image navigation module which is used for integrating CT / MRI / ultrasonic images, constructing a three-dimensional tumor model in real time, tracking a target region through electromagnetic positioning, and dynamically calibrating a needle insertion path; the insulating tungsten fire needle execution module is used for adopting a high-density tungsten alloy needle body and a multi-axis mechanical arm to control multi-angle puncture; the energy output module is used for intelligently adjusting radio frequency / microwave power and releasing energy in a pulse mode; and the temperature control feedback module is used for monitoring the temperature in real time and automatically terminating overheating energy. According to the technical scheme, accurate, safe and effective ablation of tumors is achieved.

The invention relates to a bone tumor ablation target region identification and real-time updating method. The method comprises the following steps: processing a multi-modal medical image acquired before an operation, performing information trust empowerment on a bone tumor area according to an image source type, structural definition, bone tissue shielding degree and spatial distribution complexity, and dividing the bone tumor area into a core target area, a semi-trusted marginal area and a dispute area; in the intraoperative ablation process, an ablation temperature change path, power response distribution and navigation position information are continuously monitored, and when it is detected that temperature response is sparse, a needle tip is static and energy motivates discontinuous feature combination in a semi-credible marginal area or a dispute area, target area offset warning logic is triggered; according to the bone tumor target region identification mechanism based on the multi-modal medical image trust empowerment, multi-dimensional information factors such as the image source type, the structure definition, the bone tissue shielding degree and the spatial distribution complexity can be considered at the same time.

The invention relates to an integrated optical fiber diagnosis and treatment integrated minimally invasive probe based on a rare earth nano material, and belongs to the technical field of medical minimally invasive machinery. The probe is composed of a flexible silica fiber, a rare earth doped nano core transfer material and a graphene composite photo-thermal layer. The temperature of the focus is monitored in real time through the fluorescence intensity ratio technology. In order to achieve the purpose of photo-thermal treatment, the graphene composite material is added, by means of the high thermal conductivity of the graphene composite material and the non-radiative relaxation effect of rare earth ions, the photo-thermal conversion efficiency is improved, and the thermal conductivity is further enhanced. The device has the advantages of miniaturization, high sensitivity, electromagnetic interference resistance and the like, and can be applied to scenes such as tumor ablation and vascular intervention.

The invention discloses a difunctional nano preparation for tumor starvation and photothermal therapy as well as a preparation method and application of the difunctional nano preparation. The difunctional nano preparation is prepared from PDA (at) MXene and glucose oxidase loaded on the PDA (at) MXene, wherein the glucose oxidase is loaded on the PDA (at) MXene; the PDA (at) MXene comprises an MXene nanosheet and polydopamine, and the MXene nanosheet is modified by the polydopamine. According to the invention, polydopamine (PDA) is modified on an MXene nanosheet so as to improve the photothermal conversion efficiency, and glucose oxidase (GOX) is loaded on PDA-coated MXene with a large surface area so as to catalyze glucose in situ. The bifunctional nano preparation shows higher photo-thermal response efficiency than that of a single MXene nanosheet, promotes the pharmacokinetic effect of glucose oxidase, and realizes '1 + 1gt, multipurpose 'deep tumor ablation.

1. Name of the design product: Electrode ablation needle. 2. Use of the design product: For performing tumor ablation surgery. 3. Design key points of the design product: Lies in the shape. 4. Picture or photograph that best shows the design key points: Perspective view.

A method and a system for thermally or hyperthermally treating an object. A precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) embolic agent is prepared and enhanced with a magnetic nanoparticle (NP). A delivery device is advanced to a target area and the PHIL−IONP embolic agent is injected directly at the target area. The PHIL and IONPS are observed in-situ using complementary imaging and an impulse is applied to the target area to generate heat sufficient to thermally ablate or induce hyperthymia at the target area. Additional impulses applied to the target areas at later times generate heat sufficient to ablate or induce hyperthymia at the target.

The invention discloses a nano-knife for clinical tumor ablation treatment. The nano-knife comprises a nano-knife electrode needle, and a puncture needle outer sleeve, a puncture sharp needle, a puncture blunt needle, a power supply containing and holding cylinder, a Luer taper and a round block which are matched with the nano-knife electrode needle for use. The puncture needle has the advantages that the puncture needle outer sleeve made of the matched insulation material is adopted, the gravity of the insulation puncture needle is small, and the influence of the gravity and the traction effect in the needle moving process is reduced; the puncture needle core is taken out, the puncture needle outer sleeve is reserved, the nanometer knife electrode needle can enter the tumor position through the puncture needle outer sleeve conveniently, and after the nanometer knife electrode needle is in place, the size of an electrode axial discharge area is controlled through cooperation of the nanometer knife electrode needle and the puncture needle outer sleeve; the puncture needle comprises a coaxial sharp puncture needle and a coaxial blunt puncture needle, and the coaxial sharp puncture needle is adopted when the puncture percutaneously passes through the tissue; the needle passes through the cavity and can be penetrated by a puncture blunt needle, so that the injury to a patient can be reduced.

The utility model relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and particularly discloses a bipolar nanosecond pulse synchronous output circuit and ablation equipment, which comprise a positive pulse output circuit and a negative pulse output circuit, the positive pulse output circuit comprises a positive pulse charging unit, a positive pulse output control unit, a positive pulse transmission unit and a positive pulse output electrode wire which are electrically connected in sequence; the negative pulse output circuit comprises a negative pulse charging unit, a negative pulse output control unit, a negative pulse transmission unit and a negative pulse output electrode wire which are electrically connected in sequence; the positive pulse transmission unit at least comprises a forward multiplication transmission unit which is used for performing forward voltage multiplication or forward current multiplication on the forward output pulse signal; the negative pulse transmission unit at least comprises a negative multiplication transmission unit which is used for carrying out negative voltage multiplication or negative current multiplication on the negative output pulse signal. The bipolar nanosecond pulse synchronous output circuit provided by the utility model can improve instant pulse energy of nanosecond pulse tumor ablation equipment.

The invention relates to the technical field of medical robots, in particular to a super-resolution optical-photoacoustic bimodal imaging guided tumor ablation treatment robot system which comprises a super-resolution optical imaging module, a photoacoustic imaging module, a multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm, an ablation energy generating device, a main control system and a real-time navigation module. According to the system, high resolution and deep tissue information fusion is realized through bimodal imaging, and the problems of tumor boundary positioning and deep information acquisition in a complex anatomical environment can be effectively solved in combination with the precise positioning and ablation treatment functions of the mechanical arm. The system supports 5G remote operation, augmented reality navigation and self-inspection functions, has high precision, real-time performance and safety, and can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of tumor ablation treatment.

The invention discloses a high-voltage steep pulse tumor ablation needle with a gas-liquid channel, and relates to the field of ablation needles, the high-voltage steep pulse tumor ablation needle comprises a fixed cylinder, a second needle body with a gas channel is fixedly connected in the fixed cylinder, a third needle body with a gas-liquid channel is coaxially arranged in the second needle body, and the high-voltage steep pulse tumor ablation needle further comprises a sliding cylinder, the sliding cylinder is fixedly connected with a first needle body with a gas channel, the first needle body is sleeved outside a second needle body in a sliding manner, the sliding cylinder is connected to the end part of the fixed cylinder in a sliding manner, the first electrode column is arranged at the end part of the first needle body, the end part of the second needle body is fixedly connected with a second electrode column, and the second electrode column is arranged at the end part of the first needle body. And through holes are uniformly formed in the side walls of the first electrode column and the second electrode column. The single needle is used for achieving triple treatment of freezing, steep pulse and PD-1 inhibitor of tumor ablation, the tumor ablation effect is effectively improved, and meanwhile the surgical operation difficulty is lowered.

A system and method for navigation of a luminal network including receiving a computed tomography (CT) image data set, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model, displaying the 3D model in a user-interface on a display operatively connected to the computing device, and receiving an indication of a location of a tumor in the CT image data set. The system and method further including displaying the location of the tumor in the 3D model, receiving an indication of a margin around the tumor to achieve a desired therapy, generating a pathway to the tumor for navigation of a catheter, receiving a location of a sensor associated with a navigation catheter and registering the CT image data set with a luminal network of a patient, displaying the location of the sensor within the 3D model that substantially corresponds to the location of the sensor within the luminal network of the patient.

Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.

Disclosed are systems and methods for biopsy, drainage, drug administration, electrode implantation and / or tumor ablation employing percutaneous procedures for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, performed by inserting a needle or probe through the skin of patient towards target anatomy using a patient mounted robot.

The invention relates to the technical field of medical instrument auxiliary equipment, and discloses an auxiliary device for tumor ablation therapy, which comprises a plurality of groups of brackets, the locking mechanism is connected between the adjacent brackets and is used for folding, adjusting and locking the adjacent brackets; the clamping mechanism is arranged at one end of a whole formed by the multiple sets of supports, a universal sleeve is fixedly installed at the other end of the whole, a rigid guide channel is formed by the auxiliary device for tumor ablation treatment and the puncture hole, and an ablation needle is restrained by the hole wall when penetrating through the hole, so that transverse shaking is avoided; the angle can be flexibly adjusted during unlocking, the movement range of the ablation needle is effectively limited through the design, the problem that puncture fails due to shaking of a tumor with the small size or the deep position is solved, the probability of repositioning or operation termination is reduced, and the working efficiency is improved. The treatment risk and pain of a patient are reduced, positioning deviation caused by slight vibration or operation touch of the device is avoided, and it is ensured that the ablation needle accurately reaches the tumor core area.

The application discloses a percutaneous needle type ultrasonic probe, which comprises a handle (1), an outer sleeve (2), a puncture tip (21) formed at the front end of the outer sleeve (2), an ultrasonic window (22) arranged at the side of the outer sleeve (2) close to the puncture tip (21), the outer sleeve (2) being provided with a first cavity (23) arranged along the axial direction, a rotating shaft (3) arranged in the first cavity (23), an ultrasonic assembly (4) arranged at the front end of the rotating shaft (3) and corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic window (22) when arranged in the first cavity (23), and a rotating mechanism (5) for driving the rotating shaft (3) to rotate and thus driving the ultrasonic assembly (4) to rotate, wherein the rotating mechanism (5) is arranged in the handle (1). The percutaneous needle type ultrasonic probe can directly penetrate into tissues through skin, obtain high-resolution ultrasonic images, and generate two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional stereoscopic images through multi-angle rotation, thereby providing accurate ultrasonic guidance for diagnosis and interventional treatment, and being suitable for precise treatment operations such as tumor ablation, drug delivery and energy delivery.

Devices, systems, and methods to generate a plan for an interstitial laser ablation procedure are disclosed. The systems may be configured as an interstitial optical mapping system including a catheter, an emitter optical fiber, an imaging optical fiber, a light source, and a processing unit. The emitter optical fiber and the imaging optical fiber are used to interstitially image a fluorescent dye associated with a tumor, including the tumor margin, at discrete imaging positions along a length of the catheter. The processor calculates a location of the fluorescent dye at each discrete position and creates an optical map representing the tumor. The optical map is used to generate an interstitial laser ablation plan that includes laser fiber pull-back positions.

The present invention discloses a puncture robot tumor ablation method and system based on magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes: scanning the lesion through medical imaging examination to obtain a preoperative magnetic resonance image; reconstructing a three-dimensional model of the lesion and surrounding tissues, and planning the optimal puncture path; updating the positional relationship between the needle tip and the center of the lesion in real time, feeding back the deviation information of the needle tip position, and guiding the puncture needle to the tumor ablation area in real time; using dual-path ablation to perform real-time temperature monitoring and whole blood circulation dynamics monitoring, and adjusting the ablation power and time accordingly; using postoperative wound management and closure technology to consolidate the ablation effect; and evaluating the ablation effect through magnetic resonance imaging examination and postoperative biopsy. The present invention can realize a puncture robot tumor ablation method based on magnetic resonance for tumor ablation, effectively perform temperature and blood flow monitoring, and reflect the ablation effect and residual lesion status in real time through a comprehensive postoperative evaluation method.

The invention relates to the technical field of medical image processing and tumor treatment planning, and discloses a tumor ablation assessment method based on clustering and dynamic weight Monte Carlo sampling, and the method comprises the steps: dividing a tumor, i.e., a healthy region, through spatial clustering, optimizing sample distribution in combination with an error feedback mechanism related to a region density compensation factor, and obtaining a tumor ablation result; introducing a momentum enhanced weight updating strategy, correcting sparse region sampling deviation, adaptively balancing historical errors, rapidly judging a sample membership relationship through an ablation ellipsoid model, and synchronously calculating a tumor ablation coverage rate and a healthy tissue damage rate; the tumor ablation coverage rate and the healthy tissue damage rate can be rapidly, stably and accurately calculated synchronously, and a reliable quantitative basis is provided for real-time planning in an operation and accurate evaluation after the operation.

The invention provides an intermediate infrared femtosecond laser tumor ablation system and method, and the system comprises a femtosecond laser source module which is used for generating intermediate infrared femtosecond laser; the transmission module is located at the output end of the femtosecond laser source module, the transmission module at least comprises a supporting cavity and anti-resonance hollow-core optical fibers evenly distributed on the inner circumferential wall of the supporting cavity, and the anti-resonance hollow-core optical fibers are made of quartz materials and used for transmission of mid-infrared femtosecond lasers; the working module is used for receiving the mid-infrared femtosecond laser transmitted by the transmission module and performing ablation treatment on the target tissue by using the mid-infrared femtosecond laser; wherein the thickness of the cavity wall of the anti-resonance hollow-core optical fiber is A, the wavelength of the mid-infrared femtosecond laser is B, and A = (0.25-0.5) B, so that the thickness of the cavity wall and the wavelength of the mid-infrared femtosecond laser meet the anti-resonance phase condition, and an anti-resonance suppression coupling effect is formed at the wavelength of the mid-infrared femtosecond laser; therefore, low-loss flexible transmission of the mid-infrared femtosecond laser is realized.

The invention discloses a composite high-frequency pulse tumor ablation high-wave transmitting device, and relates to the field of medical equipment.The composite high-frequency pulse tumor ablation high-wave transmitting device comprises a scanning frame, a bed frame is arranged on one side of the scanning frame, bottom frames are arranged at the front end and the rear end of the bottom of the bed frame, and a headrest is arranged on the side, close to the scanning frame, of the bed frame; according to the combined type high-wave emitting device for high-frequency pulse tumor ablation, a patient lies on the base plate, the gravity sensor body detects a pressure signal, converts the pressure signal into an electric signal and sends the electric signal to the control power source, the pressure signal is transmitted to the control power source, and the nanosecond knife is arranged at one end of the connecting pipeline. The control power supply closing switch supplies power to the heating pipe. Hot air is conducted to the base plate through the heat conduction holes. When the patient leaves, the pressure value is lower than the threshold value, the switch is switched off, and the heating tube stops working. The area of the base plate is larger than that of the bed frame, the base plate is not prone to sliding, and use stability and comfort of a patient are guaranteed.

The boundaries of the tumor are determined.SOLUTION: A method for ablating a tumor (15) having a boundary in tissue of a subject includes advancing a distal region (200) of a tumor ablation device (102) into the tissue, wherein the distal region is fitted with electrodes (2, 4). The bioimpedance of the tissue is then sensed using the distal region of the instrument. In response to the sensed bioimpedance, the electrodes are positioned within the boundaries of the tumor. While the electrodes remain within the boundaries, electroporation pulses are applied to the tumor using the electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6C

The invention discloses a hollow balloon embedded medicine local injection system, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. The device comprises an expandable balloon, a hollow catheter, a medicine storage unit and an injection control unit. A pre-buried medicine layer is arranged on the outer surface of the balloon, the hollow catheter directionally impacts the inner wall of the balloon through the fluid jet holes to rapidly dissolve the medicine layer, the medicine storage unit maintains the temperature and pressure of a medicine solution to be stable, and the injection control unit achieves intermittent high-pressure jet output. According to the system, the injection hole design, the porous structure layer and the double-cavity catheter structure are optimized, the drug release efficiency and adaptability are improved, the problems that in the prior art, drug release is uncontrollable, and the system flexibility is insufficient are solved, and the system is suitable for the scenes of vascular interventional therapy, tumor ablation and the like.

The invention is suitable for the technical field of pulsed electric field treatment and computer simulation, and provides a COMSOL-based tumor ablation preoperative needle arrangement scheme generation system and device. In the embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional simulation geometric model of a target tissue is constructed through COMSOL multi-physics field simulation software, and then an initial needle arrangement scheme is determined through the three-dimensional simulation geometric model. The method comprises the following steps: establishing a three-dimensional simulation geometric model, determining material parameters and boundary conditions of the three-dimensional simulation geometric model, constructing a multi-physical field tumor ablation simulation model, determining electric field energy distribution data during an ablation operation according to an initial needle arrangement scheme through the simulation model, and comparing the data with a target region to determine a target needle arrangement scheme. According to the method, the electric field and the thermal field are combined in construction of the multi-physics field tumor ablation simulation model, and the corresponding conductivity is set when the model material parameters are set, so that the problems of lack of multi-physics field coupling analysis and insufficient dynamic parameter optimization in the prior art are solved, and the accuracy of a needle arrangement scheme is improved.

The invention relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and particularly discloses a bipolar nanosecond pulse synchronous output circuit and ablation equipment, and the bipolar nanosecond pulse synchronous output circuit comprises a positive pulse output circuit and a negative pulse output circuit, the positive pulse output circuit comprises a positive pulse charging unit, a positive pulse output control unit, a positive pulse transmission unit and a positive pulse output electrode wire which are electrically connected in sequence; the negative pulse output circuit comprises a negative pulse charging unit, a negative pulse output control unit, a negative pulse transmission unit and a negative pulse output electrode wire which are electrically connected in sequence; the positive pulse transmission unit at least comprises a forward multiplication transmission unit which is used for performing forward voltage multiplication or forward current multiplication on the forward output pulse signal; the negative pulse transmission unit at least comprises a negative multiplication transmission unit which is used for carrying out negative voltage multiplication or negative current multiplication on the negative output pulse signal. The bipolar nanosecond pulse synchronous output circuit provided by the invention can improve the instant pulse energy of nanosecond pulse tumor ablation equipment.

The invention is suitable for the technical field of medical instrument auxiliary equipment, provides a tumor ablation preoperative simulation system and device, and relates to a multi-module integration system for soft tissue ablation preoperative planning, scheme simulation and doctor-patient communication. In the embodiment provided by the invention, for a target patient needing ablation treatment, tumor imaging data (such as CT and MRI) of the patient are acquired, a digital model of a tumor and peripheral tissues is reconstructed through three-dimensional modeling software, a preliminary ablation scheme is adjusted to obtain a personalized ablation scheme of the user, and a solid mold is manufactured; based on the personalized ablation scheme, simulated ablation is conducted through a human body bionic material, ablation parameters are adjusted in the ablation process according to the real-time electric field distribution state and the actual ablation range, and therefore the personalized ablation scheme is further optimized; according to the final ablation scheme of the patient, the high-light-transmittance medical glass three-dimensional mold is manufactured, and visual support is provided for doctor-patient communication. According to the system and the device, the risk that important tissues are damaged due to ablation range deviation is effectively reduced, the distribution state of ablation energy is truly fed back through a human body bionic material, and the problem that the scheme optimization efficiency is low due to the fact that the feedback time of a waiting result of a traditional simulation ablation scheme is long is solved.

The invention discloses a novel anti-tumor two-dimensional photothermal material and a preparation method thereof.The preparation method comprises the steps that after a BP nanosheet is prepared through a liquid stripping technology, Fe < 3 + > is introduced, FeBPs is prepared through an in-situ biomimetic mineralization method, BP is subjected to in-situ biomimetic mineralization through metal ions Fe < 3 + >, and the black phosphorus nanosheet-(FeBPs) with the surface modified by an iron-phosphoric acid organic coordination layer is constructed. After the FeBPs enter tumor cells, dissociation of a mineralization layer is initiated under the synergistic effect of GSH, Fe < 3 + > is reduced into Fe < 2 + >, a large amount of GSH in the cells is consumed, the GPX4 protein level is lowered, ROS accumulation is caused, and tumor cell ferroptosis is induced. Meanwhile, by means of the excellent photo-thermal performance of BP after dissociation of the mineralization layer, under irradiation of near-infrared light 808 nm, the temperature of tumor tissue is increased, tumor ablation is caused, then photo-thermal / ferroptosis collaborative treatment is achieved, and a new treatment strategy is provided for tumor treatment research.

This invention discloses a method for preparing a bilayer hydrogel microneedle patch loaded with nanomaterials, comprising: providing carbon nanotube particles loaded with calcium peroxide; grafting ferric tannate; grafting dihydroporphyrin E6 to obtain carbon nanotube particles loaded with calcium peroxide and grafted with dihydroporphyrin E6 and ferric tannate; dispersing the carbon nanotube particles loaded with calcium peroxide and grafted with dihydroporphyrin E6 and ferric tannate in a mixed solution composed of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone to obtain a microneedle patch tip; providing sodium hyaluronate grafted with 3-aminophenylboronic acid; stirring the sodium hyaluronate grafted with 3-aminophenylboronic acid and polyvinyl alcohol solution on the microneedle patch tip to form a gel, thereby obtaining a bilayer hydrogel microneedle patch loaded with nanomaterials. This bilayer hydrogel microneedle patch loaded with nanomaterials can effectively achieve anti-tumor effects by directly delivering nanomaterials to the tumor site, promoting self-oxygenation within the tumor, and promoting tumor ablation.

The application discloses a novel near-infrared two-region aggregation-induced emission material, a preparation method and application thereof, and has the following general structure: wherein Ar is R1 and R2 are independently selected from -t-Bu, -OC6H 13 The application uses triphenylamine derivative structural units as electron donors of a molecular system, and uses 6,7-diphenyl-[1,2,5]thiadiazole[3,4-g]quinoxaline or indene ketone condensation [1,2,5]thiadiazole[3,4-g]quinoxaline structural units as electron acceptors to construct a novel photothermal material with near-infrared two-region aggregation-induced emission properties. The compound structure of the application is clear, the synthesis method is simple, and biological activity experiments show that the application has a good application prospect in fluorescence-photoacoustic-photothermal imaging guided photothermal-photodynamic synergistic tumor ablation treatment.

The invention relates to a tumor ablation method and device, a storage medium and electronic equipment, in particular to the technical field of medical treatment.The method comprises the steps that firstly, a preoperative medical image of a patient is obtained; performing three-dimensional reconstruction on the preoperative medical image to generate a three-dimensional human body model corresponding to the patient, and identifying a tumor area of the patient in the three-dimensional human body model; introducing a treatment range matched with the tumor area into a preset auxiliary device, wherein the treatment range comprises an ablation range corresponding to an ablation device; the three-dimensional human body model is displayed through the preset auxiliary equipment, the coverage degree of the treatment range in the tumor area is displayed in an overlapped mode, and the preset auxiliary equipment comprises virtual reality equipment and augmented reality equipment; and finally, according to the coverage degree of the treatment range, determining a puncture ablation operation scheme corresponding to the tumor area.