Phantom experimental study on microwave ablation with a water-cooled antenna

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Microwave ablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure.
• Optimizing antenna design is critical for effective thermal therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate microwave ablation using a water-cooled antenna in a phantom.
• To determine the influence of cooling water flow on temperature distribution and heating patterns.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study in a phantom using thermocouple-measured temperature fields.
• Analysis of heating patterns and temperature distribution.
• Analytical determination of specific absorption rate distribution.

Main Results:

• The heating pattern was pear-like, with an enlarging rate that decreased over time.
• The cooling water significantly influenced the heating pattern, creating a smaller diameter in the backward direction (Z < 0) compared to the forward direction (Z > 0).
• Increased cooling water velocity slightly reduced the heating pattern in the backward direction, and the highest ablative temperature occurred in the forward direction.

Conclusions:

• Cooling water flow is a critical factor in controlling microwave ablation patterns.
• Understanding these thermal dynamics can improve clinical microwave ablation therapy.
• Results are applicable to surgical planning with multiple applicators.