Variable Cryosurgical Probe Planning With Graphical Depth Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryosurgery faces challenges in precisely placing multiple cryosurgical probes to generate tailored, lethal iceballs that fit the tumor size and shape, especially for applications requiring larger iceballs beyond prostate ablation, such as renal, hepatic, and pulmonary tumors, to avoid damaging benign tissue.
Innovation Solution
A computer-guided cryosurgical system with an integrated ultrasound imaging system and graphical depth guide application that provides a visual overlay for precise probe placement, using a graphical overlay on imaging to represent lethal and non-lethal zones, allowing operators to drag and drop probes for optimal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cryosurgical probes are used to create larger iceballs for renal, hepatic, and pulmonary tumors, then the treatment versatility and applicability to different tumor types is improved, but the difficulty of precisely placing and controlling probes to achieve optimal lethal iceball formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-procedural planning where the computer system calculates optimal probe placement locations, insertion depths, and angles before the actual surgery. The graphical user interface displays planned probe trajectories and predicted iceball formation, allowing the operator to review and adjust the plan before inserting probes into the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time temperature monitoring during cryosurgery, with temperature sensors positioned within the tumor and surrounding tissues. The computer system continuously monitors temperature data and provides feedback to the operator through the graphical interface, allowing adjustment of probe settings to maintain optimal freezing conditions while protecting adjacent healthy tissues.
2Manufacturing precision
If probe placement is made more precise through computer guidance, then the manufacturing precision of iceball formation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integrated imaging and computer systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges ultrasound imaging capabilities with cryosurgical probe delivery and control functions into a single integrated platform. The ultrasound transducer array is incorporated into the probe assembly, allowing real-time imaging of probe placement and iceball formation without requiring separate imaging equipment. The computer system integrates image processing, treatment planning, and temperature monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface serves as an intermediary between the complex integrated systems and the operator. It translates raw ultrasound images, temperature data, and probe positioning information into intuitive visual displays showing iceball formation progress, probe locations, and treatment status, simplifying the operator's interaction with the complex system.
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 precise placement of cryosurgical probes to create tailored lethal iceballs, minimizing damage to benign tissue and optimizing treatment for various tumor types, including renal, hepatic, and pulmonary tumors.
Implementation Method 1
The ultimate goal in a cryosurgical procedure is to freeze all tumor tissue by lethal ice to kill the tumor
Implementation Method 2
The imaging system is an ultrasound system
Data Source
AI summary
A cryosurgical system includes a probe system including a cryosurgical probe and a temperature probe; an imaging system; and a computer system operatively connected to the probe system and the imaging system and programmed with a graphical depth guide application that provides a graphical overlay on an image from the imaging system that includes a first scale of first spaced markers representing temperature of the temperature probe and a second scale of second spaced markers representing a distance from the cryosurgical probe to an imaging probe of the imaging system that provide a visual guide for locating the cryosurgical probe during surgery.