Temperature Distribution Estimating Apparatus for Therapeutic Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature distribution determining apparatuses are limited in measuring temperature ranges, particularly unable to accurately determine three-dimensional spatial and temporal temperature distributions above 55 °C, which is crucial for therapeutic ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A temperature distribution determining apparatus that includes a temperature distribution measuring unit for measuring a first temperature distribution below 55 °C and a temperature distribution estimating unit that extrapolates a second temperature distribution within the range of 45 °C to 70 °C, using ultrasound data and heat-diffusion equations, allowing for monitoring of therapeutic ablation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound-based temperature imaging is used to measure temperature distribution, then measurement precision is improved for temperatures below 55 °C, but the apparatus becomes unable to determine temperature distribution in the therapeutic ablation temperature range of 55 to 60 °C
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature distribution determining apparatus is divided into two functional units: a temperature distribution measuring unit for measuring temperatures below 55 °C and a temperature distribution estimating unit for estimating temperatures above 55 °C. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific temperature ranges, with the measuring unit providing precise data in the lower range and the estimating unit using heat-diffusion equations to extrapolate temperatures in the therapeutic ablation range, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and temperature range coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The estimating unit acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between measurable temperatures (below 55 °C) and unmeasurable temperatures (above 55 °C). It uses heat-diffusion equations as a mathematical model to interpolate and extrapolate temperature distributions, effectively mediating between the limitations of the measuring unit and the requirements for therapeutic ablation monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If temperature distribution measuring unit is used for direct measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases when extending to higher temperature ranges
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a completely new measurement system for high temperatures, the estimating unit copies and extends the measurement unit's approach by using the same ultrasound-based methodology combined with heat-diffusion equations. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of developing entirely new measurement hardware for temperatures above 55 °C.
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 the determination of temperature distributions across an expanded range, facilitating accurate monitoring and control during therapeutic ablation procedures, such as tissue ablation, by estimating temperature distributions in real-time and adjusting energy application characteristics for precise tissue treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasound data are acquired from a gel phantom by using backscattered ultrasound, and a three-dimensional spatial and temporal ultrasound temperature distribution is determined from the acquired ultrasound data
Implementation Method 2
a temperature distribution estimating unit for estimating a spatially and temporally dependent second temperature distribution in the object within a second temperature range, which is different to the first temperature range and in which the temperature distribution measuring unit cannot measure a temperature distribution, based on the spatial and temporal dependence of the measured first temperature distribution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature distribution determining apparatus for determining a temperature distribution within an object caused by applying energy to the object. A temperature distribution measuring unit (6, 7) measures a spatially and temporally dependent first temperature distribution in the object (3), while the energy is applied to the object (3) such that the object (3) is heated to a temperature within a first temperature range, and a temperature distribution estimating unit (5) estimates a spatially and temporally dependent second temperature distribution in the object (3) within a second temperature range, which is different to the first temperature range, based on the spatial and temporal dependence of the measured first temperature distribution. Since temperature distributions can be obtained not only in the first temperature range, but also in the second temperature range, the overall temperature range, in which the temperature distribution can be determined, can be increased.