Temperature simulation of microwave ablation based on improved specific absorption rate method compared to phantom measurements

Abstract

Purpose: To propose an improved specific absorption rate (SAR) computation method by incorporating a thermal conductivity item, develop mathematical simulation models based on the SAR, and enhance the accuracy of temperature simulation for 2450-MHz microwave fields. Materials and methods: Experimental data of 2450-MHz microwave antenna were obtained with a phantom and then new SAR equations were calculated according to Pennes bio-heat transfer equation. Next, the SAR equations were regarded as heating sources and SAR-derived temperature changes were simulated numerically; Finally, temperature measurement results were compared with simulation data to validate the accuracy of the new SAR method. Results: The simulated and measured temperature changes were generally in good agreement for the phantom. According to comparison results, the maximum error was less than 6 °C, the average error was less than 2 °C, and the standard deviation was less than 1 °C. Conclusions: This new SAR-derived simulation method can significantly simplify the simulation process and improve the prediction accuracy of microwave ablation temperature field.

Keywords:

• Microwave ablation
• specific absorptionrate
• temperature distribution simulation

Disclosure statement

The authors declared they have no competing interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Beijing Natural Science Foundation [Grant No. 7174279]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No. 71661167001]; Beijing Education Committee Foundation Program for the Top Young Innovative Talents [Grant No. CIT&TCD201404053]; and National Key Technology R&D Program [Grant No. 2015BAI02B03].