LITT Brain Modeling for MR-Free Temperature Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
LITT procedures rely on expensive and limited MR imaging for real-time temperature monitoring, leading to high costs and scheduling difficulties in procedures that can last multiple hours.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing discretized patient-specific 3D brain structure representations and shape-constrained deformable brain models to perform numerical computations for real-time temperature propagation and tissue damage visualization during LITT procedures, eliminating the need for MR imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time MR imaging is used for temperature monitoring during LITT procedures, then temperature visualization accuracy is improved, but procedure cost and scheduling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's brain anatomy using pre-procedure MRI scans and deformable registration to generate a 3D finite element model. This digital twin is then used for real-time temperature visualization during LITT, replacing the need for real-time MR thermography while maintaining accurate temperature mapping through the computational model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex MR imaging system with a computational approach using finite element analysis and deformable registration algorithms. Instead of relying on expensive real-time MR thermography hardware, the system uses software-based temperature propagation modeling that runs on standard computing infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If real-time MR imaging is used for temperature monitoring during LITT procedures, then temperature visualization accuracy is improved, but procedure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's brain anatomy using pre-procedure MRI scans and deformable registration to generate a 3D finite element model. This digital twin is then used for real-time temperature visualization during LITT, replacing the need for expensive real-time MR thermography while maintaining accurate temperature mapping through the computational model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable or pre-acquired anatomical imaging data (from standard MRI scans) to create a one-time personalized computational model. This single-use anatomical map enables all subsequent temperature visualizations without requiring continuous expensive MR imaging, effectively replacing a costly ongoing resource with a廉价的 one-time investment.
3Measurement precision
If real-time MR imaging is used for temperature monitoring during LITT procedures, then temperature visualization accuracy is improved, but availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's brain anatomy using pre-procedure MRI scans and deformable registration to generate a 3D finite element model. This digital twin is then used for real-time temperature visualization during LITT, replacing the need for real-time MR thermography while maintaining accurate temperature mapping through the computational model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal computational framework that can be applied across different LITT procedures and institutions without requiring specialized MR thermography equipment. The deformable registration and finite element modeling approach is broadly applicable to various anatomical structures and laser ablation scenarios, making the technology widely accessible in standard operating rooms.
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 cost-effective and widely available LITT procedures in regular operating rooms by providing accurate real-time temperature and tissue damage visualization, improving safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
LITT uses collimated light from a diffusing laser tip to ablate problematic tissues via delivery of thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
Heating tissue to temperatures greater than 100° C. can vaporize water and cause carbonization of surrounding tissue
Implementation Method 3
LITT uses collimated light from a diffusing laser tip to ablate problematic tissues
Implementation Method 4
perform numerical computations for real-time temperature propagation and tissue damage visualization
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the presently disclosed technology provide new systems and methods for real-time temperature propagation and tissue damage visualization during laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) procedures that do not rely on real-time MR imaging. Accordingly, examples enable performance of LITT procedures in regular operating rooms lacking MR-equipment—thereby reducing costs and improving availability for LITT procedures. Examples achieve these advantages by leveraging “discretized” patient-specific 3D brain structure representations to perform numerical methods for solving partial differential equations that estimate real-time (or close to real-time) temperature propagation within a patient's brain during a LITT procedure.