Radiometric Ablation Volume Prediction With Anatomical Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue ablation techniques lack accurate temperature feedback during procedures, particularly when using microwave heating, leading to uncertainties about tissue destruction and potential damage to adjacent tissues, and there is a need for improved radiometric temperature measurement systems to predict ablation volume in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A system using a radiometer antenna with a Dicke switch and reference termination to measure tissue temperature at depth, combined with an ablation volume prediction algorithm that processes radiometric signals to calculate and display the predicted ablation volume on medical images in real-time, while adapting to tissue properties and anatomical structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If thermocouples are used to measure tissue temperature during ablation, then temperature feedback is provided, but the measurement is inaccurate because thermocouples only measure surface temperature and are affected by cooling irrigants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddeep tissue temperature information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based thermocouple system with a non-contact radiometric measurement system. The radiometer measures thermal radiation emitted by the tissue, allowing temperature measurement at depth without physical contact, thereby eliminating the limitations of thermocouples in measuring deep tissue temperature and being affected by cooling irrigants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces thermal radiation as an intermediary carrier of temperature information. Instead of directly contacting the tissue with a thermocouple, the system uses radiometric detection to capture thermal radiation from deep tissue regions, serving as an intermediary that transmits temperature information without being influenced by cooling irrigants or surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If ablation is performed without accurate temperature feedback, then the procedure can be completed, but the clinician cannot determine if the target tissue was adequately destroyed or if adjacent tissues were damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation procedure completionVSAvoidablation effectiveness verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring thermal radiation from the tissue during ablation. The radiometer provides ongoing temperature information that allows the clinician to verify whether the target tissue has been adequately destroyed and to detect if adjacent tissues are approaching dangerous temperature thresholds, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clinician ablates a series of regions to improve the chance of successful ablation, then coverage is increased, but without feedback the clinician cannot determine which regions were sufficiently destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation region coverageVSAvoidablation effectiveness information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the clinician to systematically ablate multiple regions while maintaining real-time feedback on each region's temperature and ablation status. This allows verification of effectiveness for each treated area, eliminating the information loss that would otherwise occur when treating multiple regions without continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Provides accurate temperature feedback and predicts ablation volume in real-time, ensuring effective tissue destruction and minimizing damage to adjacent tissues, applicable to catheter-based therapies in various anatomical targets.

Implementation Method 1

A system using a radiometer antenna with a Dicke switch and reference termination to measure tissue temperature at depth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

microwave heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250359941A1Systems and methods for adaptive ablation volume prediction based on tissue temperature measurements and anatomical segmentation

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 HEPTA MEDICAL SAS

AI summary

Systems and methods for ablating target tissue, measuring parameters during ablation such as temperature of the target tissue, and predicting volume of the ablation based on the measured parameters are provided. The system may include a switching antenna for both heating of target tissue and radiometry to monitor the temperature of the heated tissue, and a processor for calculating the temperature of the target tissue, segmenting medical images, and predicting volume of the ablation based on radiometric signals indicative of the target tissue temperature. The predicted ablation volume may be adapted to account for tissue boundaries and anatomical structures. The processor further may determine properties of the target tissue such as tissue type.