3D Brain Model Trajectory Guidance for Reproducible Ablation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trajectory planning for minimally invasive brain treatments, such as interstitial thermal therapy, is time-consuming and user-dependent, making it challenging to achieve reproducible ablation paths and volumes, especially when treating deep-seated brain structures like the amygdalohippocampal complex or tumors.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a 3D brain model modified based on high-resolution magnetic resonance data to plan and display treatment trajectories, allowing for accurate and reproducible treatment planning by mapping feature points to target locations in the patient's anatomy, enabling rapid and precise guidance of treatment catheters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual trajectory planning is used following standardized protocols, then treatment can be performed with conventional methods, but the process is time-consuming and user-dependent resulting in poor reproducibility of ablation paths and volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory planning speedVSAvoidreproducibility of ablation path and volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pre-defined standardized trajectories as templates that are automatically adapted to individual patient anatomy through image registration. These standardized trajectories serve as reusable copies that ensure consistency across different patients and operators, eliminating the need for manual planning while maintaining reproducibility of ablation paths and volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary registration of patient-specific MRI images with standardized brain atlases before trajectory determination. This preliminary alignment step pre-establishes the anatomical correspondence needed for automatic trajectory generation, enabling rapid and reproducible planning without manual intervention during the actual treatment procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual trajectory planning is used, then flexibility in adjusting to individual patient anatomy is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and operator-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator dependencyVSAvoidtrajectory planning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic trajectory determination by itself without requiring operator intervention. The computer automatically registers patient images with standardized atlases, identifies target locations, and generates optimized trajectories based on pre-defined protocols, making the process independent of operator skill or time availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical manual process of trajectory planning with an automated computer-based image processing and analysis system. The computer automatically performs image registration, anatomical landmark identification, and trajectory calculation, substituting human operator actions with algorithmic processing that is both rapid and consistent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If standardized protocols are followed for trajectory planning, then consistency across different patients can be achieved, but adaptability to individual anatomical variations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of ablation resultsVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different levels of standardization to different aspects of trajectory planning. Standardized protocols define the overall approach and safety constraints, while automatic image registration and anatomical landmark detection adapt the specific trajectory parameters to each patient's unique anatomy, achieving both consistency and adaptability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic adaptation where the standardized trajectory templates are automatically adjusted to match individual patient anatomy through image registration. The trajectories are not fixed but dynamically modified based on the registered anatomical landmarks and target locations, allowing the system to maintain standardization benefits while adapting to anatomical variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11202677B2Treatment trajectory guidance system

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Treatment trajectory guidance systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the method for treatment trajectory guidance in a patient's brain includes obtaining a three- dimensional (3D) brain model that includes a model of an anatomy, the model of the anatomy including a plurality of feature points; modifying the 3D brain model based on magnetic resonance (MR) data of the patient's brain from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device to obtain a plurality of modified feature points on a modified model of the patient's anatomy in the patient's brain; displaying on a display a first planned trajectory for treating the patient's anatomy based on the plurality of modified feature points; and displaying, on the display, a first estimated treatment result for the first planned trajectory.