Ultrasound imaging software framework for real-time monitoring of acoustic ablation therapy

The concern with interstitial ablative therapy for a treatment of hepatic tumors has been growing. In spite of advances in these therapies, there are several technical challenges due to tissue deformation and target motion: localization of the tumor and monitoring for ablator's tip and thermal dose in heated tissue. In the previous work[1], a steerable acoustic ablator, called ACUSITT, for targeting of ablation tip accurately into tumor area has been developed. However, real-time monitoring techniques for providing image feedback of the ablation tip positioning and thermal dose deposited in the tissue by heating are still needed. In this paper, a new software framework for real-time monitoring ablative therapy during pre- and intra-operation is presented. The software framework provides ultrasound Brightness Mode (B-Mode) image and elastography simultaneously and with real-time. A position of ablator's tip and a region of heated tissue are monitored on B-Mode image, because the image represents tissue morphology. Furthermore, ultrasound elasticity image is used for finding a boundary and region of tumor on pre-ablation, and monitoring thermal dose in tissue during ablation. By providing B-Mode image and elastography at the same time, reliable information for monitoring thermal therapy can be offered.