Real-Time HIFU Control via MRI Feedback Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapies face challenges in achieving real-time temperature monitoring and control due to the complexity and non-real-time nature of diagnostic image calculations, leading to inefficiencies in feedback loops and potential tissue damage from excessive heating.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a medical apparatus with a magnetic resonance imaging system that uses real-time magnetic resonance data to control HIFU sonication, employing a soft or hard real-time operating system to optimize feedback algorithms, and subsampling magnetic resonance data for faster acquisition and processing, thereby creating a closed feedback loop for precise temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If diagnostic image calculations are used for real-time feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases and real-time control is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidfeedback loop delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential temperature measurement data from the full diagnostic image reconstruction process. Instead of performing complete image reconstruction, the system selectively processes only the k-space data and parameters necessary for temperature calculation, thereby achieving real-time feedback without the time penalty of full diagnostic imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the feedback loop from the diagnostic imaging pipeline. A separate, dedicated real-time processing pathway is created that operates independently from the lengthy diagnostic reconstruction algorithms, allowing temperature measurements to be computed in real-time using simplified but sufficient calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If full diagnostic image reconstruction is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring accuracyVSAvoidimage processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing only the minimum necessary processing for temperature measurement. Instead of executing complete diagnostic image reconstruction algorithms, the system performs a subset of calculations focused exclusively on extracting temperature information from the MRI data, achieving sufficient accuracy without the overhead of full reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If non-real-time operating system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but feedback loop reliability deteriorates due to jitter and performance variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurabilityVSAvoidfeedback loop stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into two distinct operational modes: a real-time feedback processing mode that guarantees deterministic timing for temperature measurements, and a diagnostic imaging mode that provides full functionality but operates without real-time constraints. This segmentation allows the critical feedback loop to achieve reliability while the overall system retains operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables reliable real-time temperature monitoring and control, ensuring sufficient thermal necrosis while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues by optimizing feedback performance and reducing jitter and variability in image throughput.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic resonance thermometry has been coupled with various means of heating or cooling tissue for therapy. Measuring the effect of the tissue heating or cooling allows the guiding of the therapy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance phase shift thermometry:

Implementation Method 2

high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy... generating focused ultrasonic energy for sonicating a target volume... ensuring a sufficient thermal necrosis to the target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic heating:

Data Source

PatentUS10459043B2Real time control of high intensity focused ultrasound using magnetic resonance imaging

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 PROFOUND MEDICAL

AI summary

A medical apparatus (300, 400, 500) comprises a high intensity focused ultrasound system (322) configured for sonicating a target volume (340) of a subject (318). The medical apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (302) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (356, 358, 360, 368, 374) from an imaging zone (308). The treatment volume is within the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (352) containing machine executable, a control module (382, 402) for controlling the sonication of the target volume using the magnetic resonance data as a control parameter, and a processor (346). Execution of the instructions causes the processor to repeatedly acquire (102, 202) magnetic resonance data in real time using the magnetic resonance imaging system and control (104, 206) sonication of the target volume by the high intensity focused ultrasound system in real time using the sonication control module and the magnetic resonance data.