Independent Imaging and Ablation Positioning for Irregular Masses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation procedures face challenges in accurately monitoring and evaluating tissue damage during and after the procedure, particularly for irregularly shaped masses, leading to potential damage to healthy tissues or incomplete ablation due to inadequate imaging and prolonged setup times.
Innovation Solution
A system for independently positioning an ablation tool and imaging device, utilizing a computing device to calculate and execute precise positions for both tools, enabling real-time imaging and continuous monitoring of ablation progress, and allowing for immediate post-procedure evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the imaging device is coupled to the ablation tool, then the setup time is reduced, but the imaging accuracy and monitoring capability are compromised for irregularly shaped masses
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging and ablation functions into independent components. The imaging device and ablation tool are positioned independently rather than being coupled, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system coordination through the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the independent imaging device and ablation tool. This mediator coordinates their positions and operations, enabling them to work together effectively despite physical separation, thus maintaining both imaging accuracy and operational efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ablation tool is repositioned for each ablation step, then complete ablation of irregular masses is achieved, but the operating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary planning to determine the optimal sequence of ablation steps and tool positions before actual ablation begins. This pre-computed treatment plan allows the ablation tool to be repositioned efficiently for each step without significant delays, as the positions are predetermined and optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent imaging device provides real-time feedback on ablation progress and tissue characteristics. This feedback allows the control system to adjust subsequent ablation step positions and parameters dynamically, optimizing the overall treatment time while ensuring complete ablation of the target mass.
3Measurement precision
If the imaging device is positioned independently, then real-time monitoring accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it plans treatment paths, coordinates independent device positioning, processes imaging data, and controls ablation parameters. By making the control system universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite the independent positioning of imaging and ablation components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for performing at least one ablation comprising receiving image data of a mass to be ablated; segmenting a volume of the mass to yield a plurality of sub-volumes, each of the plurality of sub-volumes corresponding to one of a plurality of ablation steps; identifying, for each of the plurality of ablation steps and based on the corresponding sub-volume, an ablation center; calculating, for each of the plurality of ablation steps, an ablation tool position and an imaging device position, the imaging device position being independent of the ablation tool position; causing both an ablation tool to be positioned based on the calculated ablation tool position and an imaging device to be positioned based on the calculated imaging device position for one ablation step of the plurality of ablation steps; and causing an ablation tool to activate based on the one ablation step.