3D Echo Decorrelation Imaging for Precise Ablation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal ablation procedures for liver cancer face challenges in accurately targeting cancerous tissue with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue, leading to high recurrence rates and complications due to inadequate monitoring of ablation progress.

Innovation Solution

Echo decorrelation imaging using three-dimensional ultrasound data to monitor and control thermal ablation by quantifying heat-induced changes in tissue, providing real-time feedback to adjust ablation power and duration based on echo decorrelation image volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large ablation margin is applied to ensure full treatment, then recurrence rate decreases, but damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddamage to healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback monitoring using pulse-echo ultrasound imaging during thermal ablation. The system continuously tracks echo decorrelation changes to monitor ablation progress and tissue temperature, allowing dynamic adjustment of ablation parameters to achieve complete tumor necrosis while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes ablation parameters (power, duration, focal point) based on real-time echo decorrelation measurements. By monitoring the decorrelation coefficient that correlates with tissue temperature and phase change, the system optimizes ablation parameters to ensure complete treatment of the tumor margin while preventing overtreatment of healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time monitoring is implemented to improve targeting precision, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation targeting precisionVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses echo decorrelation as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure tissue temperature and ablation progress. Instead of directly measuring temperature with complex sensors, the system monitors changes in ultrasound echo characteristics, which serve as a proxy for thermal state and phase change in the tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical temperature sensing with acoustic field-based monitoring. By using pulse-echo ultrasound and analyzing decorrelation of echo signals, the system achieves temperature monitoring without physical contact sensors, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional pulse-echo ultrasound monitoring is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal decorrelation from vapor bubbles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring operation simplicityVSAvoidablation progress detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of vapor bubble formation (which causes signal decorrelation) into a useful monitoring mechanism. The system deliberately measures echo decorrelation caused by phase change and vaporization, using these signal changes as indicators of successful ablation and tissue necrosis, thereby transforming a source of measurement error into a diagnostic tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves the accuracy of thermal ablation by reducing undertreatment and overtreatment of tumors, minimizing damage to healthy tissue, and enhancing the precision of ablation procedures.

Implementation Method 1

frictional heat is generated by the alternating electrical current passing through tissue and causing rapid oscillation of ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The generated heat then transfers to areas of tissue that are not along the electrical path due to thermal conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Echo decorrelation imaging using three-dimensional ultrasound data to monitor and control thermal ablation by quantifying heat-induced changes in tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho decorrelation:

Data Source

PatentUS12364462B2Ablation monitoring and control using three-dimensional echo decorrelation imaging

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer program products for monitoring and control of tissue ablation using three-dimensional echo decorrelation imaging. A first plurality of pulse-echo image volumes each including a region of interest are received from an ultrasound scanner. One or more pulse-echo image volume pairs are defined from the plurality of pulse-echo image volumes. Echo decorrelation image volumes are defined from the pulse-echo image volume pairs, and an amount of power provided to an ablation probe located in the region of interest is determined based on the echo decorrelation image volume.