EM Tracking Temperature Probe for Microwave Ablation Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally-invasive surgical procedures, such as microwave ablation, face challenges in accurately visualizing and monitoring the placement and progress of surgical tools within the body due to the lack of direct visibility, necessitating alternative visualization methods to ensure precise tool placement and procedure control.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical system incorporating a temperature probe with an EM tracking system, ultrasound transducer, and a computing device that displays the position and trajectory of the probe on ultrasound images, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of microwave energy application to prevent tissue damage and ensure procedure completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally-invasive surgical procedures are performed, then patient trauma is reduced, but direct visualization of surgical tool placement and procedure progress is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidvisualization of surgical tool placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic tracking system as an intermediary that mediates between the surgical tools and the surgeon's visual perception. The system places EM sensors on surgical tools and uses an EM field generator to track their positions, translating physical tool locations into visual information displayed on a monitor, thereby restoring visualization capability without compromising the minimally-invasive nature of the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical/optical visualization methods with an electromagnetic field-based tracking and display system. Instead of using cameras or direct line-of-sight to visualize tools, the system uses EM field interactions to detect tool positions and presents this information through computer-generated images, substituting mechanical visualization with electromagnetic sensing and digital display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If remote temperature probes are used to monitor ablation progress, then real-time temperature data is obtained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature probes in the patent are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as surgical tools and as sensing devices. The probes incorporate EM sensors that enable them to be tracked by the electromagnetic field system while simultaneously measuring temperature, eliminating the need for separate tracking and temperature monitoring systems and thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the temperature measurement function with the electromagnetic tracking function in a single integrated probe design. The temperature sensor and EM sensor are combined in the same device, allowing simultaneous acquisition of temperature data and positional information without requiring separate systems, thus achieving precise measurement while managing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accurate placement and monitoring of surgical tools during minimally-invasive procedures, preventing tissue damage and ensuring the successful completion of microwave ablation treatments by providing real-time feedback on temperature measurements and procedural progress.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system including an EM field generator and an EM sensor coupled to the temperature probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation and detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an ultrasound transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound generation and detection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

a microwave energy source and a microwave ablation antenna operably coupled to the microwave energy source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation heating: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 4

application of microwave energy to tissue in a treatment zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20220071703A1Systems for monitoring ablation progress using remote temperature probes

Publication Date: 2022.03.10 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and methods for performing a microwave ablation procedure. An illustrative electrosurgical system includes a temperature probe including a temperature sensor, an ultrasound transducer, an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system including an EM field generator and an EM sensor coupled to the temperature probe, a display device, and a computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive, from the EM tracking system, tracking data indicating a position of the EM sensor, receive, from the ultrasound transducer, ultrasound images, determine a position of the temperature probe based on the position of the EM sensor, determine a trajectory of the temperature probe based on the position of the EM sensor, and cause the display device to display an indication of the position and the trajectory of the temperature probe on the ultrasound images.