Comsol Case Studies Medtronic Advances Ablation Technology with Multiphysics Simulation

	Medtronic Advances Ablation Technology with Multiphysics Simulation Comsol

Medtronic Advances Ablation Technology with Multiphysics Simulation

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries	Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Predictive Maintenance Remote Control Remote Patient Monitoring
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Physicians rate predictability as their number one concern with ablation performance. The higher the level of predictability, the easier it is for a physician to plan a treatment procedure that will be safer, more effective, and less time-consuming. RF ablation procedures face challenges due to varying electrical conductivities of tissues and the rapid decrease in electrical conductivity as tissue temperature approaches 100°C. This makes it difficult to generate temperatures high enough to cause cell breakdown. MW ablation technology attempts to overcome these limitations by using an EM field radiated into the tissue. However, tissue type and vaporization of water during ablation cause the size and shape of the EM field to vary, affecting predictability. Read More
About Customer	Medtronic is one of the world’s premier medical technology and services companies, known for its leadership in both RF and microwave ablation technologies. The company focuses on delivering procedural solutions that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. With a dedicated team of around 40 staff members in the Early Technologies unit of Medtronic’s Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG), the company is committed to advancing ablation technology. Medtronic's mission is to provide innovative medical solutions that improve patient outcomes and enhance the effectiveness of medical procedures. The company leverages advanced technologies and simulation software to develop new ablation probes and optimize their performance. Read More
Solution	Medtronic’s latest innovation, the Emprint™ ablation system with Thermosphere™ technology, offers more predictable and repeatable results than other techniques and devices. Thermosphere™ technology enables precise control of an EM field independent of the surrounding tissue environment, allowing clinicians to accurately predict the boundaries and characteristics of the ablation zone. The team is using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to develop new ablation probes to achieve even higher levels of predictable performance and effectiveness. One development-stage project aims to optimize the design of these probes to create a more precise ablation zone and provide real-time feedback using radiometers. Radiometers measure EM radiation and enable the characterization of the spatial distribution of an EM field, giving clinicians real-time feedback about the ablation zone. This allows fine-tuning of the zone during the procedure, ensuring targeted tissue destruction while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Control

Remote Patient Monitoring

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Physicians rate predictability as their number one concern with ablation performance. The higher the level of predictability, the easier it is for a physician to plan a treatment procedure that will be safer, more effective, and less time-consuming. RF ablation procedures face challenges due to varying electrical conductivities of tissues and the rapid decrease in electrical conductivity as tissue temperature approaches 100°C. This makes it difficult to generate temperatures high enough to cause cell breakdown. MW ablation technology attempts to overcome these limitations by using an EM field radiated into the tissue. However, tissue type and vaporization of water during ablation cause the size and shape of the EM field to vary, affecting predictability.

About Customer

Medtronic is one of the world’s premier medical technology and services companies, known for its leadership in both RF and microwave ablation technologies. The company focuses on delivering procedural solutions that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. With a dedicated team of around 40 staff members in the Early Technologies unit of Medtronic’s Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG), the company is committed to advancing ablation technology. Medtronic's mission is to provide innovative medical solutions that improve patient outcomes and enhance the effectiveness of medical procedures. The company leverages advanced technologies and simulation software to develop new ablation probes and optimize their performance.

Solution

Medtronic’s latest innovation, the Emprint™ ablation system with Thermosphere™ technology, offers more predictable and repeatable results than other techniques and devices. Thermosphere™ technology enables precise control of an EM field independent of the surrounding tissue environment, allowing clinicians to accurately predict the boundaries and characteristics of the ablation zone. The team is using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to develop new ablation probes to achieve even higher levels of predictable performance and effectiveness. One development-stage project aims to optimize the design of these probes to create a more precise ablation zone and provide real-time feedback using radiometers. Radiometers measure EM radiation and enable the characterization of the spatial distribution of an EM field, giving clinicians real-time feedback about the ablation zone. This allows fine-tuning of the zone during the procedure, ensuring targeted tissue destruction while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

Impact #1	The Emprint™ ablation system with Thermosphere™ technology allows for precise control of the EM field, leading to more predictable and repeatable ablation results.
Impact #2	Real-time monitoring of ablation performance is enabled through the integration of radiometers into the probes, providing continuous feedback to clinicians.
Impact #3	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software allows for the simulation of complex thermal and electromagnetic effects, aiding in the design and optimization of ablation probes.

Impact #1

The Emprint™ ablation system with Thermosphere™ technology allows for precise control of the EM field, leading to more predictable and repeatable ablation results.

Impact #2

Real-time monitoring of ablation performance is enabled through the integration of radiometers into the probes, providing continuous feedback to clinicians.

Impact #3

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software allows for the simulation of complex thermal and electromagnetic effects, aiding in the design and optimization of ablation probes.

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Overview

Medtronic Advances Ablation Technology with Multiphysics Simulation

Operational Impact