Ablation GUI Virtual Control Objects for Multi-Probe Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interfaces for radiofrequency ablation procedures are limited in their ability to provide independent control of multiple probes, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to visual clutter and the need for operators to wait for all probes to complete procedures before troubleshooting, which extends treatment time and risks patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive display system with a controller that allows for independent control of multiple radiofrequency probes through virtual control objects and labels, converting objects into non-control labels based on procedure status to prevent unsafe adjustments and visually distinguishing urgent and non-urgent parameters to prioritize critical information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple probes are used to extend lesion size, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but procedure time increases because probes must complete procedures sequentially
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control interface into separate virtual control objects for each probe, allowing independent monitoring and control. This segmentation enables the operator to troubleshoot and restart individual probes without waiting for other probes to complete their procedures, thus reducing total procedure time while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides preliminary control capabilities by allowing the operator to pause, restart, and troubleshoot individual probes before the entire procedure is complete. This preliminary intervention capability prevents the need to wait for all probes to finish before addressing issues with any single probe.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive information is displayed for each probe, then monitoring capability is improved, but visual clutter increases making it difficult to locate significant data
Solution Approach 1:
The interface applies local quality by providing detailed information for each probe only where relevant virtual control objects are displayed, while using summarized views for other areas. This allows comprehensive monitoring capability while maintaining ease of operation by organizing information hierarchically and contextually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system organizes probe information in a spatially arranged interface where each probe's data is displayed in a dedicated region or dimension of the screen. This dimensional organization allows comprehensive information display without visual clutter, as each probe's data is separated into its own visual space rather than overlapping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators can adjust treatment parameters freely, then procedural flexibility is improved, but patient safety risks increase due to unsafe adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual control objects dynamically change their state based on the current procedure status. Control objects are enabled or disabled automatically according to safety criteria and procedure phase, providing procedural flexibility when safe and preventing unsafe adjustments when risks are present. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility while ensuring patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by monitoring procedure status and automatically adjusting the availability of control parameters. When certain conditions are met (e.g., procedure in progress, unsafe parameter ranges), the system provides feedback by disabling or gray-ing out inappropriate control objects, thus preventing unsafe adjustments while maintaining flexibility for safe parameter changes.
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 enables efficient and safe operation by allowing real-time control and monitoring of multiple probes, reducing treatment time and improving operator focus on critical parameters, thus enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The RF electrical current is typically delivered from a generator via a plurality of connected electrodes that are placed in a patient's body, in a region of tissue that contains a neural structure suspected of transmitting pain signals to the brain. Tissue resistance to the current causes heating of tissue adjacent resulting in the coagulation of cells
Implementation Method 2
To extend the size of a lesion, radiofrequency treatment may be applied in conjunction with a cooling mechanism, whereby a cooling means is used to reduce the temperature of the tissue near an energy delivery device, allowing a higher voltage to be applied without causing an unwanted increase in local tissue temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering energy to a patient's body is disclosed that includes a plurality of probes, a touch-sensitive display screen, and a controller communicatively coupled to each of the probes and the display screen. The controller is configured to perform operations including displaying a virtual control object in the user interface of the touch-sensitive display screen that is associated with an operating parameter of a treatment procedure performed with the probe. The controller is configured to adjust the operating parameter when a user touch action is directed to the virtual control object. The controller is configured to convert the virtual control object into a non-control label based, at least in part, on a current status of the treatment procedure. The controller is configured to prohibit adjustment of the operating parameter using the non-control label in response to a user touch action that is directed to the non-control label.