Parameter estimation in high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy

Area of Science:

• Acoustic therapy
• Biomedical engineering
• Computational modeling

Background:

• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an acoustic therapy for cancer treatment, inducing coagulative necrosis via localized hyperthermia.
• Successful HIFU treatment necessitates understanding patient-specific physiological properties due to high individual variability.
• Accurate thermal dose delivery is critical for achieving tumor ablation and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a numerical simulation of hyperthermia therapy using HIFU for cancer treatment.
• To estimate key parameters influencing the physical problem of HIFU therapy.
• To enable personalized HIFU treatment protocols through accurate parameter estimation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two mathematical models: a frequency-domain acoustic model and a time-dependent bioheat transfer model.
• Employed Comsol Multiphysics® for solving the forward problem and determining the temperature field in a 2D-axisymmetric domain.
• Implemented a Bayesian approach with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (Metropolis-Hastings algorithm) in Matlab for parameter estimation, using simulated temperature measurements.

Main Results:

• The study successfully simulated HIFU hyperthermia and estimated influential physical parameters.
• Results indicate the feasibility of tailoring specific HIFU therapy protocols to individual patients.
• The parameter estimation approach provides a basis for defining treatment procedures both before and during HIFU application.

Conclusions:

• Numerical simulation and parameter estimation are crucial for optimizing HIFU cancer therapy.
• Personalized parameter estimation allows for customized HIFU treatment, enhancing efficacy and safety.
• This methodology supports the development of adaptive treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes in HIFU therapy.