Ablation Planning System for Microwave Tumor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave ablation planning systems lack precision and efficiency in treating large or irregularly shaped tumors, leading to incomplete treatment and potential cancer recurrence due to insufficient planning of ablation volumes and lack of consideration for specific power/time settings and multiple probe insertions.
Innovation Solution
An ablation planning system with a user interface and optimization engine that allows for selection of ablation probes, power, and duration to optimize spatial and temporal ablation locations, maximizing tumor coverage while minimizing collateral damage and avoiding critical structures, using a graphical user interface for visualization and database-driven resource information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple ablation probes are used to treat large or irregularly shaped tumors, then tumor coverage is improved, but planning complexity and procedure difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex task of treating large or irregular tumors into multiple manageable ablation sessions with multiple probes. The treatment volume is segmented into multiple target volumes, each treated by separate probes inserted through different entry points. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of large tumors while maintaining manageable planning for each individual probe insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planning to three-dimensional visualization and planning. By implementing 3D visualization of tumors, entry points, and ablation volumes, the system allows physicians to mentally picture and plan complete coverage of three-dimensional tumor volumes using overlapping ellipsoidal ablation volumes from different orientations, significantly improving planning accuracy for multiple probes.
2Reliability
If ablation duration is extended to increase tumor coverage, then treatment completeness is improved, but collateral damage to healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different ablation parameters (power, duration, probe type) to different target volumes based on their specific characteristics and locations. Each ablation probe can be customized with specific power and time settings tailored to the local tissue properties and treatment requirements. This localized parameter optimization ensures complete tumor coverage while minimizing collateral damage to adjacent healthy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary planning and visualization of ablation volumes before actual treatment. Physicians can review the planned ablation volumes, entry points, and parameters in advance, allowing optimization of power and time characteristics to achieve complete tumor coverage while avoiding critical structures. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary collateral damage before the ablation procedure begins.
3Productivity
If ablation power is increased to reduce treatment time, then productivity is improved, but risk to critical structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of ablation parameters during treatment planning and execution. Power and duration settings can be optimized for each specific target volume and probe configuration. The system allows flexible modification of treatment parameters based on real-time considerations, enabling high-power ablations when safe and lower powers when near critical structures, thus maintaining productivity while minimizing risk.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If single probe insertion is used to minimize trauma, then patient comfort is improved, but treatment effectiveness for large tumors decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment into multiple probe insertions through different entry points, each targeting specific portions of large or irregular tumors. This segmentation allows comprehensive treatment coverage that would be unachievable with a single probe, while each individual insertion remains minimally invasive. The multiple entry points are strategically selected to minimize overall patient trauma while maximizing treatment effectiveness.
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 provides a clinically relevant and reliable planning method that maximizes tumor coverage, minimizes collateral damage, and optimizes procedure execution by determining optimal ablation parameters, including power and time settings, for effective microwave ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Microwave ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive procedure used for the treatment of localized tumors
Implementation Method 2
MWA provides more rapid and larger-volume tissue heating
Implementation Method 3
MWA has become a recommended treatment modality for interventional cancer treatment
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation planning system includes a user interface (104) configured to permit selection of inputs for planning an ablation procedure. The user interface is further configured to incorporate selection of ablation probes and one or more combinations of ablation powers, durations or parameters applicable to selected probes in the inputs to size the ablation volumes. The user interface includes a display for rendering internal images of a patient, the display permitting visualizations of the ablation volumes for different entry points on the internal images. An optimization engine (106) is coupled to the user interface to receive the inputs and is configured to output an optimized therapy plan which includes spatial ablation locations and temporal information for ablation so that collateral damage is reduced, coverage area is maximized and critical structures are avoided in a planned target volume.