Thermal ablation is an effective method for destroying cancer cells. Despite its efficacy, ensuring repeatable and reliable treatment can be challenging, in part owing to the variability between tumours.
To help address this challenge, we developed a monitoring and control system that dynamically adjusts the cryoablation in real-time, ensuring effective, precise and consistent treatment.
In cryoablation, variations between tissue targets due to size, density, thermal conductivity and proximity to veins lead to different responses with the same dose. This is particularly challenging in pre-clinical trials, where the objective is to reduce variability in order to evaluate treatment efficacy and optimise the parameters to maximise the therapeutic effect. Having a tool that can reduce variability is therefore crucial for attaining reliable assessments.
Our aim was to find a solution to minimise variability in cryoablation treatments while improving accuracy, safety and consistency. To achieve this, we developed a custom system that employs an infrared camera to monitor temperature distribution and dynamically adjust process parameters and therefore dosing, ensuring precise and efficient cryoablation.
We conducted a rapid review of scientific literature and industry trends to select the best approach for real-time monitoring, identifying thermometry as a suitable candidate for our client’s specific needs. Our in-house applied scientists then validated the approach through investigative experiments, exploring the relationship between cryoablation process parameters, temperature outputs and tumour tissue damage.
We kept costs minimal by using affordable, high-fidelity thermocouples, along with tumour surrogates and ex-vivo samples. We also employed a colorimetric assay to assess tissue damage. These experiments allowed us to refine system requirements such as thresholds, accuracy and response time, validating our approach and reducing risks before advancing the development.
We evaluated and tested off-the-shelf infrared cameras that would be suitable for pre-clinical testing, focusing on criteria like invasiveness, ease of use, accuracy, sensitivity, spatial and temporal resolution, integration compatibility, cost and timeframes.
Having selected an appropriate solution, we then integrated the infrared camera with the cryoablation system, developing custom software and electronics including an actuation mechanism for real-time control. The software captured and processed live thermal video data which was analysed by a refined feedback and control algorithm.
Once configured, the system was fully automated, significantly reducing manual intervention and minimising errors. This streamlined approach ensured smooth operation and simplified the use of the system in complex clinical studies.
Rigorous validation testing in our in-house facilities confirmed the system’s readiness for transition to pre-clinical trials. Using tumour tissue surrogates and ex-vivo samples, we simulated real-life scenarios to assess the system’s performance. We also provided hands-on training to the client and prepared the system for pre-clinical studies.
We developed a bespoke solution that significantly minimises variability across tumour samples, laying a robust foundation for achieving reliable results in pre-clinical studies. The innovative in-process analytics approach has the potential to offer greater operational efficiency and improved outcomes for novel cryoablation cancer treatments.
This project highlights the potential of in-process analytics in cancer treatment, enhancing precision and safety while simplifying clinical workflows. For patients, this means more effective and safer outcomes, as treatments are better tailored to their specific needs. For healthcare professionals, the automated and user-friendly system reduces the complexity of managing the procedure, improves reliability, and supports a more streamlined clinical workflow.
