ABSTRACT
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We present a model for the optimal placement of mono- and bipolar probes in radiofrequency (RF) ablation. The model is based on a system of partial differential equations that describe the electric potential of the probe and the steady state of the induced heat distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To optimize the probe placement we minimize a temperature-based objective function under the constraining system of partial differential equations. Further, the extension of the resulting optimality system for the use of multiple coupled RF probes is discussed. We choose a multiscale gradient descent approach to solve the optimality system. RESULTS: This article describes the discretization and implementation of the approach with finite elements on three-dimensional hexahedral grids. CONCLUSION: Applications of the optimization to artificial test scenarios as well as a comparison to a real RF ablation show the usefulness of the approach.
Subject(s)
Catheter Ablation/methods , Hepatectomy/methods , Liver/physiopathology , Liver/surgery , Models, Biological , Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods , Body Temperature , Catheter Ablation/instrumentation , Computer Simulation , Humans , Thermography/methodsABSTRACT
We present a model for the optimal placement of mono- and bipolar probes in radio-frequency (RF) ablation. The model is based on a numerical computation of the probe's electric potential and of the steady state of the heat distribution during RF ablation. The optimization is performed by minimizing a temperature based objective functional under these constraining equations. The paper discusses the discretization and implementation of the approach. Finally, applications of the optimization to artificial data and a comparison to a real RF ablation are presented.
