System for Monitoring Thermal Ablation Using Radiofrequency Echoes

摘要

Radiofrequency energy emitted from and reflected back toward a thermal ablation probe may be used to detect a gradual dissolution of a reflective interface between a tumor and surrounding healthy tissue as the ablation zone passes through this interface providing a real-time guidance with respect to the progress of ablation.

主权项

1. An ablation apparatus comprising:
a probe adapted for percutaneous insertion of a distal end of the probe through tissue for disruption of a tumor within the tissue; a transmitting circuit communicating with the probe when the latter is inserted into tissue to transmit a measurement radiofrequency signal from the distal end of the probe; a receiving circuit communicating with the probe to receive an echo of the measurement radio frequency signal caused by dielectric boundaries; and a processing circuit analyzing the echo to track a boundary of the disruption.