Technology Overview

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an interventional therapy that has been emerging in the cardiac catheterization and in the treatment of solid tumors. ITRI’s intelligent radiofrequency ablation, or iRFA, is the first all-in-one ultrasound imaging-guided RFA system in the world that features an integration of percutaneous RFA procedure and ultrasound imaging.

The common practice of RFA is to percutaneously inject an electrode to a target lesion guided by medical images and to generate an RF current with oscillation frequency between 350 and 500kHz. The RF waves agitate tissue ions around the electrode and result in temperature increase within the tissue due to frictional heat which causes local tissue necrosis for lesion treatments. The various phenotype and location of the tumor are both challenging to the surgeon in performing this minimally invasive procedure. ITRI’s iRFA takes both effective and precise ablation needs into account. It provides real-time image guidance and ablation range estimation, assisting physicians in assessing treatment completeness, reducing the risk of recurrence, and shortening patient recovery time.

Technical Superiority

1. Clinical Benefits: Average surgical time reduced by 35%, with ablation margin error controlled within 2%.

2. International Recognition: Approved for market in both the United States and Taiwan, and included in national health insurance reimbursement.

3. Expanded Applications: Provides real-time imaging of needle insertion and safe zones, enabling broader use in interventional medicine. The flexible electrode allows adjustment of ablation length, size, and direction, achieving precise tumor ablation across different lesion types while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

4. Smart Feedback: Real-time monitoring of quantitative energy data and ablation range estimation ensures complete ablation and reduces tumor recurrence rates.

Application

1. Current Applications: Liver tumors, thyroid nodules.

2. Potential Expansion: Tumor treatments in the lung, breast, kidney, and other indications.

3. Clinical Use: By integrating electrodes, the generator, and ultrasound image guidance, the system fulfills the needs of tumor ablation therapy, offering a precise and safer minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery.

Radio frequency ablation、image guide、minimal invasive surgery、Bio-ICT