Patent ID: 7399298

Claim:
A method for planning a cryosurgical ablation procedure, comprising: (a) utilizing a first imaging modality to create digitized preparatory images of an intervention site; (b) utilizing a three-dimensional modeler to create a three-dimensional model of said intervention site based on said digitized preparatory images; (c) utilizing a simulator to simulate a cryosurgical intervention, which simulator comprises a displayer operable to display in a common virtual space an integrated image comprising a visualization of said three-dimensional model of said intervention site and a virtual display of at least one simulated cryoprobe inserted at least one selected locus; (d) utilizing a predictor to predict an effect on body tissues of a patient of operation of said at least one cryoprobe at said at least one selected locus according to selected operational parameters, said predictor being operable to predict size and shape of a prostate two or more weeks after said operation of said at least one cryoprobe, thereby enabling to plan said cryoablation procedure in view of said predicted effect; (e) utilizing a recommender to recommend a preference among a plurality of operating schema, wherein each schema presents one or more user-designated plans for placement and operation of said at least one cryoprobe.