Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Technology, Automation & Control Systems, hepatic tumour, radiofrequency ablation, RFA, finite element modelling, tetrahedral element, Joule heat, 0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, 0805 Distributed Computing, Industrial Engineering & Automation, 4006 Communications engineering, 4602 Artificial intelligence, 4606 Distributed computing and systems software

Abstract:

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is being used as one of the minimally invasive treatments for unresectable primary and metastatic liver tumours. The variables identified to have significant impact on RF heating include electrical conductivity of the tumour and surrounding tissue, thermal conductivity of tissue, tissue perfusion and RF generator output. These constitute a dynamic and complex matter that makes it difficult to achieve an optimal RFA in clinical practice. This study was intended to propose a specialised three dimensional (3D) finite element modelling in order to develop a fast analysis tool for clinicians to optimise RFA parameters and to predict the ablation outcomes. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.