Magnetic nanoparticles with high electrical conductivity have been proved to be effective in enhancing the efficacy of RF ablation. However, the possible carbonization of tissues is an unfavorable factor in achieving greater dimensions of necrosis, because carbonized tissue is a poor conductor, increases impedance and limits propagation area of RF energy. To prevent potential carbonization of tissues surrounding to the heating part of RF electrodes during RF ablation, a new method using ultra-low temperature fluid was proposed for cooling RF electrodes and tissues in the vicinity of RF electrodes in this study. To test its feasibility, the corresponding bioheat transfer process during RF ablation simultaneously applying this cooling method and magnetic nanoparticles was studied through numerical simulations. The results indicate that the cooling method by ultra-low temperature fluid can prevent carbonization of tissues resulted by local high temperature, significantly enlarge the effective heating area and thus actualize highly efficient thermal coagulation to tumor tissues during RF ablation with adjuvant use of magnetic nanoparticles.
Radiofrequency ablation of lymphoma
