Intra-operative Ablation Planning with Real-time Needle Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous tumor ablation methods lack real-time, intra-operative ablation planning capabilities, making it challenging for physicians to achieve adequate ablation margins while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a processor configured for intra-operative operation, which detects a region of interest, identifies the needle position, calculates the needle trajectory and depth, and allows real-time adjustment of the ablation zone and needle path based on user inputs and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard diagnostic image viewing software is used for percutaneous ablation, then the procedure can be performed with basic tools, but the physician cannot achieve adequate ablation margins and must mentally map ablation zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specialized ablation planning software as an intermediary tool between the physician and the ablation procedure. This software automatically calculates ablation zones based on tumor characteristics and delivers precise visual guidance on imaging systems, eliminating the need for mental mapping and improving both ease of operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual, mental process of mapping ablation zones with an automated computer-based system. The software performs calculations and generates visual representations of ablation zones, substituting the physician's cognitive effort with an automated computational system that provides accurate, real-time guidance
2Device complexity
If manual needle manipulation and iterative path-correction are used, then the procedure can be performed without complex automation, but targeting accuracy and ablation margin consistency are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms where the planning software continuously monitors needle position and ablation zone formation, providing immediate visual feedback to the physician. This allows for precise needle placement and consistent ablation margins while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary planning and calculation of ablation zones before the actual ablation procedure begins. The software pre-calculates optimal needle trajectories and ablation parameters based on tumor characteristics, enabling precise needle placement without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the procedure
3Loss of time
If pre-operative planning is performed without intra-operative adjustment capability, then planning can be completed beforehand, but the needle path cannot be adjusted based on actual tissue characteristics encountered during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic ablation planning system that can adapt in real-time during the procedure. The software allows physicians to adjust needle trajectories and ablation parameters based on actual tissue characteristics encountered during surgery, combining pre-operative planning efficiency with intra-operative flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional planning software system that serves both pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance functions. The same software platform performs initial planning, provides real-time adjustment capabilities, and adapts to actual surgical conditions, eliminating the need for separate planning and execution systems
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous ablation of a tumor in a sample, object, or subject, and more specifically, for percutaneous tumor ablation with the ability for real-time, intra-operative ablation planning, execution, and/or adjustment, are provided herein. One or more apparatuses, systems, and methods may operate to detect a region of interest in an image, subject to an ablation or radiotherapy process or an ablation or radiotherapy planning; identify a position of a needle in the image; calculate a trajectory and a depth of the needle based on an insertion information of the needle, and display the needle trajectory and the depth on the image.