Predetermined Ablation-Current Profile for Steam-Pop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ablation procedures face challenges in efficiently delivering high power to tissue without causing dangerous steam pops due to rapid temperature increases, and existing methods for temperature estimation can be difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A predetermined ablation-current profile is used, where a processor simulates the effect of current on subsurface tissue temperature, controlling the current amplitude to safely deliver power by quickly approaching and maintaining a maximum allowable temperature, and adjusting based on feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power is delivered to tissue rapidly, then ablation efficiency is improved, but dangerous steam pops occur due to rapid temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation to generate a predetermined current profile before actual ablation, predicting the current amplitude needed to reach target temperature while avoiding steam pops. This pre-planned action guides the subsequent real-time current delivery, allowing rapid power delivery along a safe trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual tissue temperature and compares it to predicted temperature from the simulation. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the delivered current in real-time to stay on the safe trajectory, ensuring rapid heating without exceeding steam pop thresholds.
2Measurement precision
If complex temperature estimation methods are used, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive temperature simulation and trajectory optimization before the actual procedure. This preliminary action creates a predetermined current profile that encapsulates complex temperature control logic, simplifying real-time implementation to following a pre-calculated safe path rather than solving complex equations in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the tissue and ablation process through simulation. This digital twin allows complex temperature field calculations to be performed in advance, and the results (predetermined current profile) are then applied to the real procedure, transferring the complexity from real-time operation to pre-processing.
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 allows for rapid and controlled tissue ablation, minimizing the risk of steam pops while ensuring consistent temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
electric currents are then passed through the tissue, causing a lesion to be formed in the tissue
Implementation Method 2
Ablation energy is applied to the tissue using the probe. A model of an evolution of steam pressure in the tissue, caused by the ablation energy, as a function of time is estimated
Data Source
AI summary
Described embodiments include a system that includes a current source generator and a processor. The processor is configured to drive the current source generator to supply, for application to tissue of a subject, an electric current having an amplitude that varies in accordance with a predefined function of time, such that the amplitude initially monotonically increases to a maximum value. Other embodiments are also described.