Microwave ablation modeling with AMICA antenna: Validation by means a numerical analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Oncology

Background:

• Percutaneous microwave thermal ablation uses electromagnetic waves for dielectric heating, a common tumor treatment.
• Minimizing collateral damage during ablation requires precise procedural guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a predictive model for percutaneous microwave thermal ablation procedures.
• To provide physicians with guidelines for avoiding collateral damage during tumor treatment.

Main Methods:

• A finite element model using COMSOL Multiphysics with variable-porosity and Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium (LTNE) equations.
• A tuning-parameter approach was employed, varying blood flow velocity and direction for in-vivo simulations.
• Model validation involved regression analysis comparing simulation results with ex-vivo and in-vivo datasets.

Main Results:

• The model accurately predicted ex-vivo ablated area size and shape with <10% overestimation.
• For in-vivo data, the ablated volume was predicted with a 6% underestimation.
• The sphericity index prediction (0.75) closely matched in-vivo data (0.62).

Conclusions:

• The developed predictive model demonstrates good performance for microwave ablation of liver tumors.
• The model accurately predicts ablation dimensions and sphericity index for both ex-vivo and in-vivo data.
• Further development and validation are necessary to enhance in-vivo application accuracy and reliability.