Heat Sink Parameter Determination for Thermal Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature distribution determination methods in thermal therapy systems are inaccurate due to the influence of blood vessels, which can vary in anatomy and impact temperature distribution differently, leading to incomplete ablation of tissues during procedures like RF ablation.
Innovation Solution
A heat sink parameter determination apparatus that uses ultrasound data to measure and model the temperature distribution near blood vessels, minimizing deviations between measured and modeled data to accurately determine heat sink parameters, thereby improving the accuracy of temperature distribution determination within the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature distribution determination methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is poor due to inaccurate modeling of blood vessel influence
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ultrasound imaging to identify blood vessel locations and characteristics before conducting temperature measurements. This preliminary action allows the model to be pre-configured with anatomical information, enabling more accurate temperature distribution determination during the actual thermal therapy procedure without adding complexity to the measurement process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a computational model that copies and simulates the actual thermal field distribution, incorporating blood vessel heat sink effects. This virtual model allows accurate temperature prediction without requiring complex physical measurement equipment, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity
2Reliability
If blood vessel anatomy variations are not considered, then the determination process is fast, but the reliability is poor due to incomplete ablation
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasound imaging is performed beforehand to map blood vessel anatomy and identify heat sink locations. This preliminary mapping allows the thermal model to account for anatomical variations during treatment planning, ensuring reliable complete ablation while maintaining efficient real-time temperature monitoring during the actual procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares measured temperature distributions with model predictions, using the deviation information to refine heat sink parameter estimates. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable ablation outcomes by adapting to actual anatomical conditions while maintaining determination speed through iterative optimization
3Measurement precision
If heat sink parameters are not accurately determined, then the calculation process is simple, but the temperature distribution accuracy is poor leading to thermal therapy failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the temperature measurement data itself to determine heat sink parameters through model fitting. The temperature distribution measurements automatically inform the refinement of blood vessel parameters in the thermal model, allowing the system to self-calibrate without requiring separate complex characterization procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex physical measurement methods for characterizing blood vessels with computational modeling based on temperature field analysis. Instead of using intricate imaging or flow measurement systems, the thermal model infers heat sink parameters from temperature distribution patterns, simplifying the overall system while improving accuracy
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
This approach allows for a more precise determination of temperature distributions and heat sink parameters, enhancing the effectiveness of thermal therapy by considering the real influence of blood vessels on temperature, leading to more accurate ablation and reduced recurrence rates.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source parameter providing unit for providing a parameter of a heat source, which defines a heating of the object, the heat source being an ablation element for ablating a tumor within the object
Implementation Method 2
the heat sink being a blood vessel within the object which defines a cooling of the object
Implementation Method 3
the temperature distribution measuring unit (13, 71) comprising an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data in one or more scan planes traversing the heat sink
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat sink parameter determination apparatus for determining a parameter of a heat sink like a blood vessel within an object such as a person(3) by minimizing a deviation between a measured temperature distribution, which has preferentially been measured by ultrasound thermometry, and a modeled temperature distribution, wherein the modeled temperature distribution is modeled based on a provided heat source parameter like the location of an ablation needle (2) and the heat sink parameter to be determined by using a given thermal model. This determination of heat sink parameters, which may be geometric and/or flow parameters, considers the real temperature distribution and is thus based on real heat sink influences on the temperature distribution. This can lead to an improved determination of heat sink parameters and hence to a more accurate temperature distribution which may be determined based on the determined heat sink parameters.