Non-Thermal Ablation Planning for Conductivity-Guided Immunotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immunotherapies for cancer lack personalized treatment customization, particularly after metastasis, necessitating improved techniques for individual patient outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving non-thermal ablation techniques like irreversible electroporation, with real-time monitoring of treatment parameters to administer additional therapies such as immunotherapy based on measured changes in bulk tissue conductivity or electrical current, allowing for personalized treatment protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-thermal ablation is used to treat cancer tissue, then treatment customization for individual patients is improved, but treatment complexity and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors treatment parameters (temperature, electrical conductivity, ablation zone size) in real-time and uses this feedback to automatically adjust treatment delivery parameters, enabling personalized treatment without requiring complex manual monitoring and adjustment by operators
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary treatment planning that incorporates patient-specific anatomical and physiological data to pre-determine optimal treatment parameters and thresholds, allowing the treatment to be automatically customized during delivery without real-time complex decision-making
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring of treatment parameters is implemented, then treatment precision is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system uses the ablation procedure itself to generate measurable signals (changes in electrical conductivity, temperature readings) that automatically provide information about treatment progress and tissue response, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical pulses used for non-thermal ablation also serve as the measurement probe, allowing the same device to both treat the tissue and monitor treatment parameters through changes in electrical properties, reducing the need for separate measurement equipment
3Reliability
If additional treatments are administered based on measured changes, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines optimal additional treatment protocols based on predicted tissue response to non-thermal ablation, allowing rapid administration of complementary treatments (such as immunotherapy or radiation) without requiring extended observation periods or complex real-time decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system seamlessly transitions from non-thermal ablation to additional treatments based on real-time tissue response, maintaining continuous therapeutic action without interruption or extended delays, thereby improving efficacy while minimizing total treatment time
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
Enhances treatment efficacy by tailoring therapies to individual patient responses, improving outcomes through real-time monitoring and personalized treatment adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The non-thermal ablation technique can be irreversible electroporation. The non-thermal ablation technique can be high-frequency irreversible electroporation.
Implementation Method 2
The treatment parameter can be bulk tissue conductivity. The change in bulk tissue conductivity can be measured by measuring current during the step of ablating.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and systems of performing immunotherapy on a subject and/or determining if a subject will be responsive to ablation immunotherapy.