Rotating HIFU Transducer with MRI Thermometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation techniques for tumor treatment face challenges in real-time temperature monitoring, particularly in ensuring sufficient thermal necrosis of tumors while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissues, due to limitations in precise temperature control and imaging methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus and method that integrates a magnetic resonance imaging module with a therapy device capable of rotating about a longitudinal axis, utilizing an ultrasound transducer to deliver energy and acquire magnetic resonance data, allowing for precise temperature mapping and control through dynamic adjustment of slice planes and energy deposition, enabling accurate thermal dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HIFU ablation is used to heat tumor volumes, then thermal necrosis of the target is achieved, but excessive heating and damage of surrounding healthy tissues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time temperature monitoring using MRI thermometry during HIFU ablation. The system continuously acquires magnetic resonance data, processes it to determine temperature distributions, and uses this feedback to adjust the HIFU energy delivery. This closed-loop control ensures the tumor reaches sufficient thermal necrosis while preventing excessive heating of surrounding healthy tissues through dynamic parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional temperature measurement methods with magnetic resonance thermometry. Instead of using physical temperature probes or indirect mechanical measurements, the system uses MRI to non-invasively measure temperature distributions throughout the treatment volume in real-time, providing superior spatial resolution and safety.
2Measurement precision
If MRI scanner is used for real-time temperature monitoring, then temperature distribution is measured, but the complexity of the medical apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the MRI scanner and HIFU therapy device into an integrated medical apparatus. The MRI system and ultrasound transducer array share common infrastructure including the magnet, gradient coils, and control systems. This merging allows simultaneous temperature monitoring and energy delivery through a single coordinated system, reducing overall complexity compared to separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The MRI scanner performs multiple functions: anatomical imaging, real-time temperature monitoring via thermometry, and treatment planning. The same MRI system that provides diagnostic imaging is also used for therapeutic monitoring and control, eliminating the need for separate dedicated temperature measurement equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If slice planes are adjusted in dependence on interventional instrument shape, then imaging accuracy is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of MRI slice planes that automatically track the position and orientation of the HIFU transducer elements. As the ultrasound beams are focused at different locations and angles, the imaging slice planes dynamically reposition themselves to remain aligned with the energy delivery paths. This dynamic coordination maintains optimal imaging accuracy without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustments.
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 provides real-time thermometry and accurate temperature control, ensuring effective tumor ablation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues by enabling precise energy delivery and monitoring, thus optimizing the thermal dose and border between preserved and destroyed tissue.
Implementation Method 1
high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of tumors has increased. Tumor ablation is performed by heating volumes within the tumor
Implementation Method 2
reliable real-time temperature monitoring with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner is necessary
Data Source
AI summary
Location data indicative of the location of a target volume (146) is received. A positioning system (224) rotates a therapy device including an energy-delivering device about a longitudinal axis. The energy-delivering device delivers energy to the target volume (146) at a first rotation position using the location data: A magnetic resonance imaging scanner (106) acquires first magnetic resonance data from a first set of slice planes (509) and a second set of slice planes (501, 505, 507) of the target volume (146) at least one second rotation position of the therapy device.