29 cutting-edge medtech innovations recognized with Edison Awards

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) Intelligent Radio Frequency Ablation (iRFA)

A pinpoint, efficient, image-guided RFA system for treating tumors.

Category: Health, Medical and Biotech
Subcategory: Minimally Invasive Medicine

From the winners: “The system adopts real-time ultrasound imaging navigation, human-machine interface techniques, and closed-loop algorithms to optimize the RFA process. It reduces the size of wounds on patients, operation duration, and recovery time. iRFA’s precision tumor targeting and ablation completion are comparable to clinical requirements.”

“Transcutaneous RFA is challenging for surgeons due to various tumor phenotypes and locations. To ensure procedure efficiency and accuracy, ITRI developed a smart real-time guidance and monitoring RFA system. iRFA’s navigation system provides visualized support that guides surgeons to the optimal electrode placement and accurately targets the tumor. The system also uses algorithms to compare the treated area with the estimated ablation zone, enabling doctors to examine whether the tumor is ablated completely after RFA is conducted.”

“iRFA is the first system integrating RFA with ultrasound imaging, auto-navigation, and AI-based algorithms. Its adjustable needle electrode treats abnormal tissue sizes and shapes. The guidance system steers the electrode to the precise location of lesions, minimizing the damage to surrounding tissues. Dynamic image analysis examines the real-time condition of the treated area, ensuring the safety and accuracy of the RFA procedure. With iRFA, patients require 50% less operating time and post-surgery wounds are minimized. Additionally, doctors can perform RFA treatment using a single machine, which is user-friendly and time-saving.”

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