Related Experiment Videos
Radiofrequency tissue ablation: increased lesion diameter with a perfusion electrode
S N Goldberg1, G S Gazelle, L Solbiati
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
Academic Radiology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Radiofrequency (RF) perfusion electrodes significantly increase lesion size in liver and muscle tissue by enabling higher power deposition without charring. This advancement may reduce probe insertions for percutaneous tumor ablation.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Devices
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is used for tumor treatment.
- Current RF systems have limitations in lesion size and power deposition.
- Perfusion electrodes offer a potential solution to enhance RF ablation efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To induce large coagulation necrosis zones using RF perfusion electrodes.
- To determine optimal parameters for RF perfusion electrode systems.
Main Methods:
- Developed RF electrodes with internal cannulas for tip perfusion.
- Created lesions in ex vivo and in vivo liver and muscle tissue with and without 0°C saline perfusion.
- Investigated effects of wattage, current, duration, tip exposure, and perfused tip temperatures.
Main Results:
- Perfusion enabled larger lesions (e.g., 4.5 cm in muscle, 2.4 cm in liver) with higher power deposition (up to 80W) without charring.
- Without perfusion, power deposition was limited (20W), resulting in smaller lesions (1.8 cm muscle, 1.2 cm liver).
- Current applied correlated best with lesion diameter; charring occurred at tip temperatures of 45-55°C.
Conclusions:
- Perfusion of RF electrodes with chilled saline increases power deposition and lesion volume without charring.
- This technology may reduce the number of probe insertions needed for percutaneous tumor ablation.
- RF perfusion electrodes could enable treatment of larger lesions.