Temperature Distribution on Classical Two Needles IRE Setup Versus a Single Needle Prototype

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment, vol. 23, pp. 15330338241288342

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal minimally invasive cancer therapy used in the treatment of liver tumors. However, the therapy entails an electrical current flux which can be high enough to cause a noticeable temperature increase. Therefore, the analysis of the heat distribution is important: during any IRE treatment, the target area is intended to be treated with non-thermal effects, where existing thermal effects should not damage nearby sensitive structures. This article aims to compare the established two parallel needles electrode setup, used by FDA-approved electroporation delivering devices, to a single needle, multiple electrode prototype design. METHODS: Levels and distributions of the temperature at different distances from the applicators during an IRE liver treatment were investigated. The prototype results were collated with already published in-vivo data. All electrode configurations were analyzed numerically in COMSOL Multiphysics for different pulse protocols. RESULTS: The extension of coagulation necrosis predicted by the model matched available in-vivo data. While the maximum average temperature during pulsation was higher for the prototype (74 °C) than for the two-needle IRE setup (57 °C), the thickness of the coagulation necrosis around the conductive electrodes was in the same range for both configurations. However, the location differed completely: the necrosis engendered by the prototype was located inside the tumor, while the two-needle IRE setup created necrosis outside the tumor, potentially closer to sensitive structures. CONCLUSION: The results highlighted the importance of heat distribution analysis for the design of new IRE needles as well as for IRE treatment planning. Proper analysis ensures that the non-thermal effects are maximized while minimizing any potential thermal damage to surrounding sensitive structures.

Authors 4

1. Ali Jouni corresponding Aachen Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Aachen, Germany

2. Marco Baragona
   Affiliation as printed

   Philips Research, Eindhoven, the Netherlands

3. Federico Pedersoli

   Ospedale San Giovanni Bellinzona · Istituto Imaging della Svizzera Italiana

   Affiliation as printed

   Imaging Institute of Italian Switzerland, Bellinzona Regional Hospital, San Giovanni, Switzerland

4. Andreas Ritter Aachen Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Aachen, Germany