Real-Time Ablation Zone Projection for Tumor Margin Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ablation procedures face challenges in achieving precise temperature control to differentiate between malignant and healthy tissue temperatures, leading to unpredictable temperature distribution and potential damage to healthy tissue during tumor treatment.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for displaying real-time ablation growth projections using an ablation model applied to patient image data, allowing for adjustments of ablation parameters and visualization of confidence levels to optimize the ablation zone based on the position of the ablation probe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electromagnetic energy is applied to heat and ablate tumor cells, then malignant tissue destruction is achieved, but temperature control precision deteriorates leading to unpredictable temperature distribution and potential damage to healthy tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetumor cell destruction effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by projecting the predicted ablation zone onto imaging data before actual ablation occurs. This allows operators to visualize and evaluate the expected temperature distribution and ablation margins in advance, enabling adjustment of ablation parameters to achieve precise temperature control that destroys tumor cells while protecting healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously updating the projected ablation zone based on real-time ablation parameters and probe position. The margin showing confidence level provides visual feedback about temperature distribution predictability, allowing operators to adjust parameters iteratively to achieve the desired balance between tumor destruction and healthy tissue protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ablation parameters are adjusted to improve temperature distribution control, then healthy tissue protection is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to real-time projection and modeling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to healthy tissueVSAvoidsystem complexity for real-time projection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by projecting a virtual representation (the predicted ablation zone) onto the imaging data instead of directly manipulating physical parameters. This visual copy allows operators to evaluate and adjust ablation parameters without immediately affecting actual tissue, reducing the risk of healthy tissue damage while the computational complexity is contained within the projection algorithm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Enables precise visualization and adjustment of ablation zones with confidence margins, ensuring effective tumor eradication while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Implementation Method 1

Electromagnetic radiation can be used to heat and destroy tumor cells. Treatment may involve inserting ablation probes into tissues where cancerous tumors have been identified. Once the probes are positioned, electromagnetic energy is passed through the probes into surrounding tissue.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

Electrosurgical devices utilizing electromagnetic radiation have been developed for a variety of uses and applications. Typically, apparatus for use in ablation procedures include a power generation source, e.g., a microwave or radio frequency (RF) electrosurgical generator that functions as an energy source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

Ablation volume is correlated with antenna design, antenna performance, antenna impedance, ablation time and wattage, and tissue characteristics, e.g., tissue electrical properties, tissue thermal mass, and tissue fluid movement.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal mass effect: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentUS20260026885A1Ablation system with display for real-time ablation growth projection, and method therefor

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A method for displaying real-time ablation growth projections is provided. The method includes applying, by a processor, an ablation model to image data of a patient. The ablation model is based on a position of an ablation probe, and the ablation probe is coupled to the processor. The method also includes displaying, on a display coupled to the processor, a projected ablation zone on the image data. The projected ablation zone is based on ablation parameters and the position of the ablation probe. The projected ablation zone includes a margin showing a confidence level. The method further includes ablating by the ablation probe. The ablating is based on an evaluation of the projected ablation zone with respect to a target. A system for performing a microwave ablation procedure is provided. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions is provided.