Use of Saline Injection to Create Large Thermal Lesions During Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy: 1. Thermal Model

Radiofrequency (RF) energy has been successfully used to treat tachycardia and liver cancer through hyperthermic ablation. However, this therapy is limited to treating small volumes because of the high current density near the RF electrode, which leads to excessive temperatures in this region. We have developed an RF therapy that uses saline injection into the tissue surrounding the electrode to increase heat transfer in this tissue to heat significantly larger volumes. This paper shows the results of a finite difference thermal model of this therapy. Results indicate that saline-enhanced RF ablation can treat tissue volumes that are 33 times larger than those created by RF alone.