Virtual Lesion Overlay for HIFU Treatment Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-guided therapeutic systems, such as those using HIFU or RFA, often fail to effectively treat all areas within the region of interest due to suboptimal treatment planning, particularly with HIFU treatments resulting in smaller-than-anticipated effects.
Innovation Solution
An image-guided therapeutic apparatus and method that includes a treatment device, imaging device, and planning means to create a virtual lesion representation adaptable to tissue characteristics, allowing manual or automatic adjustment of lesion size, shape, and position based on tissue characteristics like acoustic absorption and thermal conductivity, enabling optimized treatment planning and execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a standard HIFU treatment planning system is used, then the treatment can be performed with basic imaging guidance, but the treatment effect is smaller than anticipated and not all areas within the region of interest are properly treated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating a virtual lesion representation during the treatment planning phase that predicts the actual lesion outcome. This virtual representation is generated before treatment based on tissue characteristics and treatment parameters, allowing the clinician to optimize the treatment plan to achieve the desired treatment effect rather than relying on post-treatment assessment alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or representation of the expected lesion (virtual lesion representation) that mirrors what the actual lesion will look like in the patient's tissue. This virtual model allows for prediction and optimization of treatment outcomes by comparing the virtual lesion characteristics with the desired treatment goals before actual energy delivery occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lesion representation characteristics are fixed, then the planning process is simpler, but the treatment cannot be optimized for different tissue characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by making the virtual lesion representation characteristics changeable and adaptable rather than fixed. The size, shape, and position of the virtual lesion can be adjusted based on detected tissue characteristics such as acoustic properties, thermal conductivity, and tissue type, allowing the treatment plan to dynamically adapt to the specific patient anatomy and tissue properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by modifying the characteristics of the virtual lesion representation (size, shape, position) based on detected tissue parameters. The planning system uses tissue characteristics such as acoustic absorption coefficient, thermal conductivity, and tissue type to automatically or manually adjust the virtual lesion parameters, enabling optimization of treatment for different tissue types without requiring completely different planning approaches.
3Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of lesion representation is used, then the operator can apply experience and knowledge, but the adjustment process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by providing a visual display that shows the virtual lesion representation overlaid on the anatomical image. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the predicted lesion outcome, compare it with the desired treatment goal, and make iterative adjustments to the treatment plan. The system may also provide feedback on how changes in treatment parameters will affect the virtual lesion characteristics, enabling efficient optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by enabling the operator to directly interact with and adjust the virtual lesion representation characteristics through the user interface. The planning system allows the operator to manually modify the size, shape, and position of the virtual lesion based on their experience and knowledge, with the system automatically updating the treatment plan and predictions in real-time, making the operator's expertise directly actionable without requiring complex intermediate steps.
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
The apparatus ensures more efficient and safe treatment by accurately adapting treatment parameters to tissue types, leading to better treatment outcomes and improved reproducibility by using real-time and pre-treatment imaging data for precise lesion representation and parameter adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
It is generally known to treat tissue non-invasively or minimal-invasively by high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU)
Implementation Method 2
The image analysis unit can determine the location of tissue and its characteristics such as its probable energy absorption, such as acoustic absorption coefficient
Implementation Method 3
The imaging device can be chosen from the group of Ultrasound transducer, possibly including Doppler or elastography
Data Source
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AI summary
Summary An image-guided therapeutic apparatus (1) comprises-a treatment device (2), preferably a HIFU transducer, for treating tissue, -at least one imaging device (3) for guidance of a treatment, -means for providing an image (4), -a display (5) for displaying an image and -planning means (6) for planning a treatment. The planning means (6) is adapted to create a lesion representation (9) of a lesion that will be created in tissue on the image (7) and to overlay said lesion representation (9) over said image (7). The size and/or shape and/or position of the lesion representation (9) is changeable, in particular in dependence on the characteristics of the tissue.