Optimization of a single insertion electrode array for the creation of clinically relevant ablations using...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is an emerging non-thermal ablation technique using rapid electrical pulses.
• H-FIRE offers advantages over traditional electroporation, including reduced muscle stimulation and better tissue property tolerance.
• Current H-FIRE protocols may result in smaller ablation volumes compared to monopolar pulses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of H-FIRE delivered via a single-insertion expandable array and grounding pad for clinically relevant ablations.
• To compare ablation volumes produced by a single probe versus an optimized multi-tine array using H-FIRE.
• To explore alternative pulse protocols for increasing ablation volumes with the optimized array.

Main Methods:

• Development of numerical simulations to predict H-FIRE ablation volumes.
• In vitro data and existing in vivo data were utilized for validation.
• Comparison of ablation volumes generated by a clinical IRE single electrode probe and an optimized eight-tine array.

Main Results:

• The single-insertion technique with an expandable array and grounding pad showed potential for clinically relevant ablations.
• An optimized eight-tine array produced a 3.2 cm³ ablation, larger than the 2.2 cm³ from a single probe (5000 V).
• Alternative pulse protocols can enhance ablation volumes with the optimized array.

Conclusions:

• H-FIRE delivered via a single-insertion expandable array and grounding pad is a promising approach for tumor ablation.
• The optimized eight-tine array significantly increases H-FIRE ablation volumes compared to a single probe.
• Further in vivo investigation of this single-insertion H-FIRE system is warranted.