Ablation Device Position Detection Using Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation technologies face challenges in accurately evaluating the adequacy of tissue ablation procedures, particularly due to limitations in imaging modalities that may not clearly highlight treated tissues, and the potential toxicity of contrast agents.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a tissue ablation device, an ablation device controller, and an imaging component, which uses automatic image processing to identify the position and orientation of the ablation device and determine the treated tissue volume, thereby enhancing the evaluation of procedural adequacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contrast agents are used to highlight treated tissues in imaging, then tissue visualization is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to potential toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the need for contrast agents from the imaging process by utilizing the ablation device's own energy emissions (light, heat, or other signals) as the imaging contrast source, thereby eliminating the harmful substance while maintaining visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical or signal copy of the ablation zone by detecting the energy emissions from the treated tissue itself, allowing visualization without introducing external contrast agents that could be toxic to the patient
2Reliability
If multiple overlapping ablations are performed to ensure complete treatment, then treatment adequacy is improved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by detecting the ablation zone boundaries during the procedure and using this information to guide subsequent ablation placements, ensuring complete coverage while simplifying the overall procedure through intelligent planning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection and mapping of the ablation zones before final treatment completion, allowing the system to pre-plan the optimal sequence and placement of overlapping ablations to ensure complete treatment coverage
3Measurement precision
If real-time detection of ablation zone is implemented, then treatment evaluation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ablation device multi-functional by integrating both the ablation delivery mechanism and the detection/imaging capability into a single system, allowing real-time treatment evaluation without adding separate complex detection equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ablation function and detection function into a unified system where the same device that delivers thermal or optical energy also detects the resulting tissue changes, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling real-time evaluation
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
The system improves the accuracy of evaluating tissue ablation adequacy by providing a precise representation of treated tissues, reducing the risk of incomplete treatments and local recurrence of tumors.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging component, wherein the imaging component is configured to capture a captured image, wherein the captured image includes a representation of the tissue ablation device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for ablation treatment of tissues including at least one tissue ablation device, an ablation device controller communicatively connected to the at least one tissue ablation device, and an imaging component, wherein the imaging component is configured to capture a captured image that includes a representation of the tissue ablation device. The system further including an ablation device identification component configured to receive the captured image, generate a plurality of region proposals from the captured image, extract a plurality of feature vectors from the plurality of region proposals, determine a class for each region proposal of the plurality of region proposals, and determine the position and orientation of the tissue ablation device as a function of the classes for each region proposal.