Finite Element Analysis of Hepatic Radiofrequency Ablation Probes using Temperature-Dependent Electrical Conductivity

BACKGROUND: Few finite element models (FEM) have been developed to describe the electric field, specific absorption rate (SAR), and the temperature distribution surrounding hepatic radiofrequency ablation probes. To date, a coupled finite element model that accounts for the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity changes has not been developed for ablation type devices. While it is widely acknowledged that accounting for temperature dependent phenomena may affect the outcome of these models, the effect has not been assessed. METHODS: The results of four finite element models are compared: constant electrical conductivity without tissue perfusion, temperature-dependent conductivity without tissue perfusion, constant electrical conductivity with tissue perfusion, and temperature-dependent conductivity with tissue perfusion. RESULTS: The data demonstrate that significant errors are generated when constant electrical conductivity is assumed in coupled electrical-heat transfer problems that operate at high temperatures. These errors appear to be closely related to the temperature at which the ablation device operates and not to the amount of power applied by the device or the state of tissue perfusion. CONCLUSION: Accounting for temperature-dependent phenomena may be critically important in the safe operation of radiofrequency ablation device that operate near 100°C

Dielectric relaxation of aqueous NaCl solutions

The complex dielectric permittivity of aqueous sodium chloride solutions has been determined in the frequency range 0.2 ≤ v(GHz) ≤ 20 with a commercial dielectric measurement system based on a vector network analyzer. NaCl solutions 0.1 ≤ m (mol kg-1) ≤ 5 (mass fraction 0.005 ≤ w ≤ 0.23) were investigated at 5, 20, 25, and 35°C. An improved calibration procedure of the dielectric measurement system for conducting samples was developed. The complex permittivity spectra have been represented by a Cole-Cole relaxation time distribution. Where possible, the obtained fitting parameters, static permittivity ∈ and relaxation time τ, and distribution parameter a, are compared with literature data to assess the performance of the instrument, which was found to be comparable to that of time domain and waveguide systems. Effective solvation numbers were deduced from the effect of NaCl concentration on ∈. The data suggest that in addition to the irrotational bonding of water molecules by Na+ ions, kinetic depolarization under slip boundary conditions determines the solution permittivity. A three-state model is proposed to describe the concentration dependence of τ. © Copyright 1999 by the American Chemical Society