Microwave Ablation System with Radiometer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave ablation systems lack the capability to effectively measure and adjust to varying thermal environments during surgical procedures, which can impact the precision and effectiveness of tumor ablation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a microwave radiometer within or separate from the microwave applicator to measure thermal fields, providing in-situ quantitative information on thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, and blood perfusion rate, and using this data to automatically adjust power transmission and time settings of the microwave generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microwave ablation probes are used to heat and destroy tumor cells, then cancerous tumors can be treated, but the system lacks capability to measure and adjust to varying thermal environments during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the microwave ablation probe with a radiometer into an integrated system. The radiometer is coupled to the microwave generator and probe assembly, allowing simultaneous delivery of microwave energy and measurement of thermal emissions from the same surgical instrument, thereby enabling thermal environment measurement without adding separate complex measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The radiometer measures thermal emissions from the tissue in real-time during microwave ablation, providing feedback about the thermal environment. This feedback is used to automatically adjust power transmission and time settings of the microwave generator, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying thermal conditions during the procedure
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic adjustment of power transmission and time settings is implemented, then precision and effectiveness of tumor ablation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses radiometer measurements of thermal emissions as feedback to automatically adjust microwave power transmission and exposure time. The controller processes the thermal environment data and modifies ablation parameters in real-time, achieving precise control over the ablation process while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The ablation system performs self-adjustment by using its own radiometer to measure the thermal environment it creates and automatically modifying its power transmission and timing based on these measurements. This self-regulating capability improves ablation precision without requiring external complex control systems
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 real-time feedback and continuous adjustment of thermal therapy, improving the precision and safety of microwave ablation by correlating thermal characteristics with energy application, allowing for optimized treatment based on the thermal environment.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave applicator (110) including an antenna (230) configured to deliver microwave energy
Implementation Method 2
the ablation probes emit electromagnetic radiation into tissue surrounding the ablation probes
Implementation Method 3
a radiometer (160) configured to measure emissions from a thermal field created when the microwave applicator delivers microwave energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A microwave ablation system is presented including a microwave applicator having an antenna configured to deliver microwave energy and a microwave generator coupled to the microwave applicator and configured to generate a microwave signal and transmit the microwave signal to the antenna. The microwave ablation system further includes a radiometer configured to measure emissions from a thermal field created when the microwave applicator delivers microwave energy, the thermal field providing in-situ quantitative information of a material in the thermal field. The quantitative information is used to automatically adjust power transmission and time settings of the microwave generator to compensate for different thermal environments.