Planning apparatus for determining an ablation probe parameter for a single ablation probe or for multiple ablation probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation planning methods are not easily adaptable to different types of ablation procedures, requiring repetitive computational efforts for determining ablation probe parameters.
Innovation Solution
A planning apparatus and method that divides the determination of ablation probe parameters into two parts, where the first part, independent of the ablation procedure type, calculates a thermal energy distribution based on a thermal energy function, and the second part determines the ablation probe parameters using a second thermal energy function to minimize deviation between distributions, allowing adaptability across various ablation types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a planning method specific to a particular ablation probe type is used, then the determination of ablation probe parameters can be optimized for that specific type, but the method cannot be easily adapted to other types of ablation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The planning method is divided into two independent modules: a first module that determines the target thermal energy distribution based on treatment goals and tissue properties, and a second module that calculates ablation probe parameters based on the thermal energy distribution and probe-specific characteristics. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The first module that determines the target thermal energy distribution is designed to be universal and applicable to all types of ablation procedures. By separating this universal module from probe-specific parameter determination, the system can adapt to different ablation probe types without repeating the thermal energy distribution calculation, thus achieving both accuracy and versatility.
2Measurement precision
If the determination of ablation probe parameters is performed separately for each ablation procedure type, then the parameters can be optimized for each specific procedure, but repetitive computational efforts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The target thermal energy distribution is determined in advance as a preliminary step before calculating specific ablation probe parameters. This preliminary determination of the thermal energy distribution can be reused across different ablation procedure types, avoiding repetitive calculations and improving computational efficiency while maintaining parameter optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a general planning method adaptable to different ablation procedures is used, then versatility is improved, but the determination accuracy for specific ablation probe types may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planning method is segmented into a universal module for thermal energy distribution determination and probe-specific modules for parameter calculation. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high accuracy for specific ablation probe types through specialized parameter determination while preserving versatility through the universal thermal energy distribution module.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a planning apparatus (1) for determining an ablation probe parameter. A thermal energy determination unit determines, in a first part of a planning procedure, a first thermal energy distribution by using a thermal energy function like a Bioheat equation such that a temperature-based condition is fulfilled, which is indicative of a desired treatment outcome for a subject (18). An ablation probe parameter determination unit determines, in a second part, the ablation probe parameter by using a second thermal energy function, which relates a second thermal energy distribution to be caused by the ablation probe (22) to b) the ablation probe parameter, such that a deviation between the first thermal energy distribution and the second thermal energy distribution fulfils a predefined deviation criterion. This dissection into two parts allows for an improved adaptability of the determination of the ablation probe parameter to different types of ablation procedures.