Ablation Zone Simulation via 3D Lantern Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical ablation planning lacks effective visualization and simulation tools to accurately predict and optimize the ablation zone, making it challenging for healthcare professionals to determine the best insertion points and parameters for ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising specially-configured computing devices that obtain and visualize image volumes, generate geometrical functions modeling the ablation zone, sample image data on or along rays from the surface, and reconstruct these data to create a lantern representation, allowing for interactive manipulation and visualization of the ablation zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ablation planning methods are used, then the procedure can be performed with standard tools, but the accuracy of predicting and optimizing the ablation zone is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy through 3D reconstruction from medical images (CT, MRI). This digital twin allows for accurate simulation and visualization of the ablation zone without physical intervention, enabling precise prediction of ablation outcomes while maintaining ease of use through software-based planning
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of ablation parameters (power, duration, probe position) and automatically recalculates the ablation zone based on biophysical models. This allows optimization of treatment parameters to achieve complete tumor ablation while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue
2Reliability
If detailed simulation and visualization tools are implemented, then ablation procedure planning is optimized, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive simulation and visualization of the ablation zone before the actual procedure. By pre-calculating the ablation zone using biophysical models and visualizing it in 3D, the system allows clinicians to plan and optimize probe insertion points and parameters in advance, ensuring reliable treatment outcomes while reducing intra-procedure adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate computational layer that bridges the gap between simple geometric modeling and complex biophysical simulation. This intermediary uses pre-computed tissue property databases and simplified heat transfer models to provide accurate ablation zone predictions without requiring real-time complex calculations, thus maintaining system reliability while controlling complexity
3Ease of operation
If 3D visualization and interactive manipulation of ablation zone are provided, then probe insertion planning is improved, but the time required for planning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic 3D visualization where the ablation zone can be interactively manipulated, rotated, and examined from different angles. The simulation can be rapidly updated when parameters are changed, allowing clinicians to explore multiple treatment scenarios interactively and make informed decisions about probe insertion points and orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-computes the ablation zone and provides it in an optimized format ready for interactive visualization. By performing the computationally intensive biophysical modeling before the planning session and storing results in efficient data structures, the system enables rapid interactive manipulation without requiring real-time recalculation, thus reducing planning time while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
One or more systems, devices, methods and storage mediums are provided herein for ablation-zone simulation, visualization, planning and/or performance. At least one system, device, method and storage medium may obtain an image volume; obtain a description of a surface that includes a shape of the surface, a size of the surface, and a location of the surface in the image volume; sample the image volume on the surface or along a ray from each surface point to another point within the shape, for example, such that sampled surface-image data is or are produced; and generate a visualization of the sampled surface-image data.