Feasibility and efficacy of a thermal ablation device utilizing a nitinol-based coil

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Interventional Radiology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nitinol coil actuators generate heat when electrically stimulated, making them suitable for thermal ablation.
• This technology offers a potential new approach for interventional thermal therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the thermal effects of a nitinol coil ablation device on liver tissue.
• To evaluate the device's efficacy in causing intrahepatic portal vein occlusion.

Main Methods:

• In vitro experiments on bovine liver and in vivo studies on rabbits at 0.6-W and 1.1-W power settings.
• Ablation zones measured via MRI and histopathology.
• Portal vein occlusion assessed using portography.

Main Results:

• Ablation size and temperature increase were power-dependent.
• The 1.1-W group showed significantly larger ablation volumes (MRI and histology) than the 0.6-W group.
• Nearly complete portal vein occlusion (>80% stenosis) occurred more frequently in the ablation group (72.2%) compared to controls (22.2%).

Conclusions:

• The nitinol coil thermal ablation device effectively ablates liver tissue.
• The device demonstrates potential for customizable endovascular ablation, particularly for portal vein interventions.