Thermal Ablation System with X-Ray Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal ablation methods face challenges in accurately planning and performing procedures while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, and there is a need for improved monitoring and assessment techniques to ensure effective treatment of tumors.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates multiple imaging modalities to create a thermal properties profile of the target volume, allowing for simulation and modeling of thermal ablation procedures, and provides real-time monitoring and adjustment of thermal ablation parameters to achieve precise temperature control and minimize tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional thermal ablation methods are used to destroy tumor tissue, then tumor cells are killed through coagulation necrosis, but surrounding healthy structures may be damaged due to inadequate control of thermal spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs real-time temperature monitoring during thermal ablation procedures using temperature calibration devices and imaging systems. The system continuously measures temperature distribution in the treatment zone and feeds this information back to the control system, which adjusts ablation parameters to maintain temperatures within therapeutic ranges while preventing excessive heat spread to surrounding healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple ablation parameters including power level, duration, and spatial distribution of thermal energy based on real-time temperature measurements and tissue response. By changing these parameters adaptively during the procedure, the system optimizes tumor destruction while minimizing collateral damage to adjacent structures.
2Measurement precision
If temperature calibration devices are used to precisely control thermal ablation, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and procedure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature calibration devices as intermediary elements between the ablation source and target tissue. These calibration devices serve as mediators that provide accurate temperature measurements without requiring direct contact with the extreme thermal environment, thereby enabling precise control while isolating sensitive measurement components from harsh conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical temperature measurement methods with non-contact or minimally invasive sensing technologies such as thermocouples, thermistors, or imaging-based thermal measurement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple imaging modalities are integrated for real-time monitoring of thermal ablation, then treatment accuracy and safety are improved, but procedure time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, or fluoroscopy) into an integrated monitoring system that provides comprehensive real-time visualization of both anatomical structures and thermal distribution. By merging these modalities into a unified system with common coordinate registration, the patent achieves high precision ablation guidance without requiring sequential separate imaging procedures, thereby reducing overall procedure 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
This approach enables more accurate thermal ablation with reduced morbidity, shorter procedure times, lower costs, and safer treatment of lesions near critical structures, improving the effectiveness and safety of thermal ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray system operable to measure temperature changes across the VOI in the patient
Implementation Method 2
RFA uses electrical energy transmitted into a Volume of Interest (VOI) through an electrode to generate heat in the area of the electrode tip. The introduced radiofrequency energy causes ionic agitation in the area surrounding the electrode
Implementation Method 3
In microwave therapy, applicators function as antennae that concentrate the transmitted microwave energy around the antennae. As in microwave ovens, polar molecules attempt to align themselves with the shifting electromagnetic fields resulting in movement, friction and subsequent heating
Implementation Method 4
Extracorporeal or direct focused ultrasound ablation uses focused sound waves to deliver enough energy to heat a specific volume of tissue to cause coagulation necrosis
Implementation Method 5
Laser ablation uses high intensity light to raise the temperature of a target area to produce coagulation necrosis in that area
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal ablation system is operable to perform thermal ablation using an x-ray system to measure temperature changes throughout a volume of interest in a patient. Image data sets captured by the x-ray system during a thermal ablation procedure provide temperature change information for the volume being subjected to the thermal ablation. Intermediate image data sets captured during the thermal ablation procedure may be fed into a system controller, which may modify or update a thermal ablation plan to achieve volume coagulation necrosis targets. The thermal ablation may be delivered by a variety of ablation modes including radiofrequency ablation, microwave therapy, high intensity focused ultrasound, laser ablation, and other interstitial heat delivery methods. Methods of performing thermal ablation using x-ray system temperature measurements as a feedback source are also provided. Methods of assessing the post-ablation status of the patient and performance of the system are also provided.