Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys tumors using extreme cold. Monitoring temperature is essential but currently requires invasive probes or MRI, which are risky or expensive. We present a noninvasive, real-time ultrasound-based method that tracks temperature changes by measuring speed-of-sound (SoS) shifts in tissue, using advanced image analysis and acoustic modeling.

Unmet Need
There is no simple, safe, and accurate tool for real-time temperature monitoring during cryoablation. Current methods are either invasive or impractical for routine clinical use.

Our Solution
A novel algorithm detects SoS shifts via ultrasound imaging, using optical flow and inverse modeling to estimate temperature changes in tissue—without any probe or MRI. The method is low-cost, accurate, and easily integrated into existing ultrasound systems.

Applications
• Oncology – Tumor ablation (liver, kidney, breast, prostate)
• Cryosurgery – Safer real-time thermal monitoring
• Thermal therapies – Focused ultrasound, hyperthermia
• Portable ultrasound – MRI-free temperature tracking

Status
• Validated in phantom and tissue models
• Strong correlation between temperature and SoS shifts
• Working prototype on programmable ultrasound system
• Ready for preclinical collaboration

Intellectual Property
• US Provisional Patent Application filed (2023)