Computer modeling and in vitro experimental study of water-cooled microwave ablation array

Abstract

Introduction

Microwaves (MWs) quickly deliver relatively high temperatures into tumors and cover a large ablation zone. We present a research protocol for using water-cooled double-needle MW ablation arrays for tumor ablation here.

Material and methods

Our research program includes computer modeling, tissue-mimicking phantom experiments, and in vitro swine liver experiments. The computer modeling is based on the finite element method (FEM) to evaluate ablation temperature distributions. In tissue-mimicking phantom and in vitro swine liver ablation experiments, the performances of the new device and the single-needle MW device currently used in clinical practice are compared.

Results

FEM shows that the maximum transverse ablation diameter (MTAD) is 4.2 cm at 100 W output and 300 s (assessed at the 50 °C isotherm). In the tissue-mimicking phantom, the MTDA is 2.6 cm at 50 W and 300 s in single-needle MW ablation, and 4 cm in double needle MW ablation array. In in vitro swine liver experiments, the MTAD is 2.820 ± 0.127 cm at 100 W and 300 s in single-needle MW ablation, and 3.847 ± 0.103 cm in MW ablation array.

Conclusion

A new type of water-cooled MW ablation array is designed and tested, and has potential advantages over currently used devices.

Keywords:

• Finite-element method (FEM)
• microwave ablation
• microwave ablation device
• tissue-mimicking phantom

Author contribution

Zu-Bing Chen and Liang Lang designed and coordinated the research plan and conducted computer modeling studies; Dui-Dui Chen carried out the MW ablation of the tissue-mimicking phantom and in vitro swine liver and drafted the manuscript; Yuxin Du participated in the design of technological improvements. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Declaration of interest

Drs. Zu-Bing Chen has applied for a patent relating to the content of the manuscript. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by [Hubei Province health and family planning scientific research project] under Grant [number: WJ2019M183].