Design of a steam thermal ablation system for liver tumors and its efficacy evaluation based on fluorescence imaging

At present, traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation technologies are all derived from electromagnetic radiation energy generated by high-frequency, high-energy physical sources. Consequently, they all share common issues, such as poor conformability, carbonization, difficulty controlling temperature, and electromagnetic radiation.

This paper proposes a steam thermal ablation (STA) technology that utilizes the internal energy of saturated steam to replace traditional electromagnetic radiation-based energy sources. Using a self-built, minimally invasive steam thermal ablation precision treatment system for liver tumors and a steam ablation needle designed via COMSOL simulation, ex vivo pig liver experiments were conducted. Based on STA characteristics, a real-time monitoring scheme for the ablation boundary has been proposed using fluorescence imaging.

The results of STA are characterized by a maximal ablation axis ratio (short diameter/long diameter) and the absence of carbonization. The fluorescence-based monitoring effectively eliminated artifacts and radiation constraints typical of ultrasound or CT-guided procedures.

Steam thermal ablation (STA) technology offers a novel thermal ablation method, featuring good conformability and no carbonization. Combined with real-time fluorescence imaging monitoring, it provides a feasible solution for the limitations of traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation techniques.