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 to achieve coagulation necrosis in targeted tissues while minimizing damage to surrounding structures, and lack effective monitoring and assessment tools for treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates multiple imaging modalities to create a thermal properties profile of the Volume of Interest (VOI), allowing for simulation and planning of thermal ablation procedures, including selection of appropriate thermal ablation modes, applicator placement, and power levels, with real-time monitoring and adjustment during the procedure using x-ray CT and ultrasound imaging to ensure precise temperature control and tissue assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation is applied to destroy tumor tissue, then tumor cells are killed through coagulation necrosis, but surrounding healthy structures may be injured due to heat spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a thermal properties profile that characterizes temperature distribution and thermal characteristics specifically within the tumor volume and immediate surrounding tissue. This localized thermal characterization enables differentiated treatment planning that targets the tumor while preserving adjacent healthy structures through precise temperature control zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by generating a comprehensive thermal properties profile and simulating thermal ablation procedures before actual treatment. This pre-treatment simulation allows optimization of applicator placement, power levels, and treatment parameters to achieve complete tumor necrosis while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
2Reliability
If traditional surgery, chemotherapy or radiation is used to treat cancer, then tumor cells are destroyed, but patient quality of life is significantly affected due to serious side effects and risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgery with thermal ablation using electromagnetic energy (radiofrequency or microwave) to destroy tumor cells through controlled heating. This substitution eliminates the need for large incisions, general anesthesia, and extensive surgical recovery, thereby preserving patient quality of life while achieving complete tumor necrosis through localized thermal damage.
3Measurement precision
If follow-up assessment of ablation effectiveness is performed using independent image review, then treatment outcomes can be evaluated, but the process is time-consuming and lacks integration with planning and monitoring data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pre-treatment planning data, intra-procedural monitoring images, and post-treatment follow-up assessments into a single integrated three-dimensional visualization system. This unified approach displays thermal properties profiles, applicator positions, temperature distributions, and necrosis evaluation together, enabling comprehensive treatment effectiveness assessment without requiring separate review processes and significantly reducing evaluation 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 therapies.
Implementation Method 1
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 radio waves emanate from the non-insulated distal portion of the electrode. The introduced radiofrequency energy causes ionic agitation in the area surrounding the electrode as the current flows from the electrode tip to ground. The resulting agitation causes the temperature in the area surrounding the electrode tip to rise.
Implementation Method 2
The introduced radiofrequency energy causes ionic agitation in the area surrounding the electrode as the current flows from the electrode tip to ground. The resulting agitation causes the temperature in the area surrounding the electrode tip to rise.
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 of the area around the antennas.
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. To produce coagulation necrosis in larger volumes of tissue the target point is rastered across the target area. Prior to being focused, the sound waves pass through tissue without causing significant heating, only causing destructive heat around the focal point.
Implementation Method 5
Laser ablation uses high intensity light to raise the temperature of a target area to produce coagulation necrosis in that area. Generally, needles or applicators containing thin optical fibers are interstitially placed within a tumor. The intense light is transmitted through the optical fibers to the applicator tip and scattered into the targeted area.
Implementation Method 6
Cryoablation, i.e. the freezing of tissue to produce necrosis, is also being used to treat tumors.
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.