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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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Evaluation of the Feasibility, Safety, and Accuracy of an Intraoperative High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Device for Treating Liver Metastases
Published on: January 9, 2019
A device for radiofrequency assisted hepatic resection.
D Haemmerich1, D J Schutt, J A Will
1Dept. of Biomed. Eng., Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI, USA.
Summary
This study introduces a novel radiofrequency (RF) device designed to minimize blood loss during hepatic resection surgery. The RF electrode array effectively coagulates tissue and large vessels, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
Background:
- Hepatic resection is standard for liver tumors but involves significant blood loss (approx. 1 L).
- High blood loss correlates with increased complications, longer hospital stays, and reduced survival, particularly when transfusions are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel device for minimizing blood loss during hepatic resection.
- To enable surgical dissection along a pre-coagulated tissue plane, including large vessels.
Main Methods:
- Development of a prototype device with a linear array of radiofrequency (RF) electrodes.
- Application of bipolar RF current between adjacent electrodes to achieve localized tissue coagulation (approx. 100°C).
- Rapid switching of current across electrode pairs to create a coagulated tissue slice.
Main Results:
- The device demonstrated effective coagulation of tissue planes and large vessels.
- Ex vivo and in vivo experiments confirmed the device's functionality in reducing blood loss during simulated hepatic resection.
Conclusions:
- The presented RF device offers a promising approach to significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss in hepatic resection.
- This technology has the potential to improve patient safety and outcomes by minimizing transfusion requirements and surgical complications.
