Abstract: The invention relates to a system for assisting a user in positioning a thermal ablation device (1) on the basis of a planned ablation position. The system comprises an evaluation unit (6) adapted to (i) compute an optimized thermal dose distribution deliverable to the treatment region by means of the device (1) operating at a current position thereof, (ii) determine a path for steering the device (1) from the current position to the planned position and to assign a cost to the determined path, the cost quantifying estimated detrimental effects of steering the device (1) along the computed path, and (iii) present information about the optimized thermal dose distribution and about the cost assigned to the computed path to the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapy planning device for planning a therapy to be applied to tissue of a subject (2). A tissue parameter distribution, which has been generated based on a magnetic resonance fingerprint scan of the tissue, and a therapy goal distribution, which defines a distribution of at least one parameter being indicative of a desired effect of the therapy, are provided. A machine learning module (13), which has been trained to output at least one therapy application parameter defining the application of the therapy based on an input tissue parameter distribution and an input therapy goal distribution, is used for planning the therapy by determining the at least one therapy application parameter based on the provided tissue parameter distribution and the provided therapy goal distribution. This allows for a consideration of the actual quantitative tissue parameter distribution of the patient, thereby improving planning quality.

Abstract: A mechanism for adding or updating a heat distribution model stored in a heat distribution model database. A heat distribution model is usable to determine a heat distribution about an ablation device when it is operated, and can be usable to derive thermal profiles in the vicinity of the ablation device. The mechanism comprises obtaining information about fixed properties of the ablation device, generating a heat distribution model based on the fixed properties, and modifying the heat distribution model if, when used, a generated thermal profile is inaccurate.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe positioning system comprises a positioning unit for holding an ultrasound probe unit and for moving the ultrasound probe unit and positioning it at a target position and a positioning control unit configured to provide target positioning data indicative of a target position that establishes a mechanical contact of the ultrasound probe unit with an external object and to control the mechanical positioning unit in moving and positioning the ultrasound probe at the target position. The positioning unit comprises a force actuation unit configured to adapt a pressing force amount of a mechanical pressing force exerted on the object in response to a variation of a counterforce amount so as to maintain a predetermined net pressing force amount exerted by the mechanical pressing force against the counterforce.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe positioning system (100) comprises a positioning unit (102) for holding an ultrasound probe unit (104) and for moving the ultrasound probe unit and positioning it at a target position and a positioning control unit (106) configured to provide target positioning data indicative of a target position that establishes a mechanical contact of the ultrasound probe unit with an external object (110) and to control the mechanical positioning unit in moving and positioning the ultrasound probe at the target position. The positioning unit comprises a force actuation unit (108) configured to adapt a pressing force amount of a mechanical pressing force exerted on the object in response to a variation of a counterforce amount so as to maintain a predetermined net pressing force amount exerted by the mechanical pressing force against the counterforce.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a system allowing to provide improved template treatment parameters for ablation treatment allowing an optimized ablation treatment. A system for assisting in providing template treatment parameters is presented. The system comprises a treatment parameter providing unit (101) providing treatment parameters, a patient data providing unit (102) providing technical patient outcome data and/or clinical patient outcome data, a template treatment parameter determining unit (104) for determining template treatment parameters based on a relation between any of the treatment parameters, the technical patient outcome data and/or the clinical patient outcome data. Thus, the template treatment parameters can be optimized in accordance with the technical and/or clinical outcome of the treatment applied using the treatment parameters.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for an ultrasound therapy (ablation or hyperthermia) of a region of interest comprising: a patch comprising a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers (preferably CMUTs) arranged on a support, wherein a plurality of the transducers is adapted to operate in a variable frequency range; a transducer controller means adopted to activate at least two groups of the plurality of the transducers in the array for a transmission of the ultrasound signals, wherein each of the at least two groups: is arranged in a pattern; and operates at a frequency different from other group's frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe positioning system (100) comprises a positioning unit (102) for holding an ultrasound probe unit (104) and for moving the ultrasound probe unit and positioning it at a target position and a positioning control unit (106) configured to provide target positioning data indicative of a target position that establishes a mechanical contact of the ultrasound probe unit with an external object (110) and to control the mechanical positioning unit in moving and positioning the ultrasound probe at the target position. The positioning unit comprises a force actuation unit (108) configured to adapt a pressing force amount of a mechanical pressing force exerted on the object in response to a variation of a counterforce amount so as to maintain a predetermined net pressing force amount exerted by the mechanical pressing force against the counterforce.

Abstract: A system and a method for medical therapy, particularly ablation treatment, are provided in which diagnostic data may be processed and represented as a function of therapy time. This allows to appropriate plan and dynamically monitor thermal ablation therapy which significantly reduces the risks to damage organs and tissue outside the target area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapy planning device for planning a therapy to be applied to tissue of a subject (2). A tissue parameter distribution, which has been generated based on a magnetic resonance fingerprint scan of the tissue, and a therapy goal distribution, which defines a distribution of at least one parameter being indicative of a desired effect of the therapy, are provided. A machine learning module (13), which has been trained to output at least one therapy application parameter defining the application of the therapy based on an input tissue parameter distribution and an input therapy goal distribution, is used for planning the therapy by determining the at least one therapy application parameter based on the provided tissue parameter distribution and the provided therapy goal distribution. This allows for a consideration of the actual quantitative tissue parameter distriution of the patient, thereby improving planning quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for assisting a user in positioning a thermal ablation device (1) on the basis of a planned ablation position. The system comprises an evaluation unit (6) adapted to (i) compute an optimized thermal dose distribution deliverable to the treatment region by means of the device (1) operating at a current position thereof, (ii) determine a path for steering the device (1) from the current position to the planned position and to assign a cost to the determined path, the cost quantifying estimated detrimental effects of steering the device (1) along the computed path, and (iii) present information about the optimized thermal dose distribution and about the cost assigned to the computed path to the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system 1 for planning a treatment of a subject 2. A treatment planning device 39 determines a treatment position of a treatment device like a needle or catheter which comprises an energy delivery element not completely encircling the treatment device. The determined treatment position is a position in a four-dimensional space being representable by three Cartesian coordinates and an angular coordinate defining the angular orientation of the treatment device with respect to a rotation around its longitudinal axis. The treatment device is then arranged in accordance with the treatment position. Since not only the three-dimensional position of the treatment device is determined, but also a rotational position of the treatment device with respect to a rotation of the treatment device around its longitudinal axis, the energy delivery can be very accurately planned, leading to a reduction of unwanted therapy side effects.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for an ultrasound therapy (ablation or hyperthermia) of a region of interest comprising: a patch comprising a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers (preferably CMUTs) arranged on a support, wherein a plurality of the transducers is adapted to operate in a variable frequency range; a transducer controller means adopted to activate at least two groups of the plurality of the transducers in the array for a transmission of the ultrasound signals, wherein each of the at least two groups: is arranged in a pattern; and operates at a frequency different from other group's frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for automating adjustment or adaptation of devices (141-143) such as light, computer programs and positioning of devices used during patient examination. The patient examination is performed by use of a scanner system where the patient is lying on a bed (102) which can be moved into a scanner zone of the scanner where the scanning can be performed and away from the scanner zone. The automated control is achieved by detecting the position of the bed and using the detected position for adjusting or adapting the state, i.e. the function or working of one or more devices (141-143).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a personalized radio frequency (RF) coil array for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guided interventions includes: acquiring diagnostic image data reflecting the anatomy of a portion of a patient's body; planning an intervention on the basis of the diagnostic image data, wherein a field of the intervention within the patient's body portion is determined; and arranging one or more RF coils on a substrate which is adapted to the patient's anatomy, in such a manner that the signal-to-noise ratio of MR signal acquisition via the one or more RF coils from the field of the intervention is optimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a personalized RF coil array for MR imaging guided interventions. The method comprises the steps of: —acquiring diagnostic image data reflecting the anatomy of a portion of a patient's body (10); —planning an intervention on the basis of the diagnostic image data, wherein a field of the intervention within the patient's body (10) portion is determined; —arranging one or more RF antennae (11, 12, 13) on a substrate (19), which is adapted to the patient's anatomy, in such a manner that the signal-to-noise ratio of MR signal acquisition via the one or more RF antennae (11, 12, 13) from the field of the intervention is optimized. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer program and to a computer workstation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for automating adjustment or adaptation of devices (141-143) such as light, computer programs and positioning of devices used during patient examination. The patient examination is performed by use of a scanner system where the patient is lying on a bed (102) which can be moved into a scanner zone of the scanner where the scanning can be performed and away from the scanner zone. The automated control is achieved by detecting the position of the bed and using the detected position for adjusting or adapting the state, i.e. the function or working of one or more devices (141-143).