Abstract
The authors recently proposed a novel system for thermoablation—based on nanoheating—that can potentially overcome limitations associated with previously reported techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic performance of the system in the ablation of hepatic tissue, the most frequently ablated. A model nanocomposite system, maghemite nanoparticle-filled polydimethylsiloxane, was prepared, and its magnetic properties were studied as a function of nanoparticle concentration. On the basis of measured magnetic properties, a 3D finite element method (FEM) model was used to explore the development of temperature and thermal damage in nonperfused and fully perfused tissue using alternating magnetic field (AMF) parameters that are acceptable for human use. The FEM model was tested for its validity using an analytical model. The saturation magnetization increased to about 9% of the value of pure maghemite nanoparticles over the range of volume fraction (vol. %) between 1 and 5%. Lesion sizes were shown to be greatly affected by tissue perfusion and time. FEM predictions showed good agreement with results obtained with an analytical model to within 7%. Probes fabricated with magnetic nanocomposite can potentially be used to achieve reasonable lesion sizes in hepatic tissues using human-safe AMF parameters.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), which is the most common type of liver cancer, originate from hepatocytes, the main liver cells
radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most widely used technique due to its general availability and recent technical advances; issues such as the need for high-current radiofrequency to increase lesion sizes lead to an increased risk of skin burns that in turn limits lesion sizes [3,4,5]. e incidence of skin burns after RFA ranges from 0.1–3.2% for second-/third-degree skin burns and up to 33% for firstdegree burns [6]
A 3D finite element method (FEM) model was used to perform a parametric study to investigate the development of temperature and thermal damage in nonperfused and fully perfused tissue using alternating magnetic field (AMF) parameters that are acceptable for human use. e FEM model was tested for its validity using an analytical model. e implications of the results are discussed for the application of the probe for cancer treatment
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), which is the most common type of liver cancer, originate from hepatocytes, the main liver cells. It is the third major cause of cancer death worldwide with the highest incidence rates in less developed countries [1]. E main curative treatment options include resection, transplantation, or ablation. RFA is the most widely used technique due to its general availability and recent technical advances; issues such as the need for high-current radiofrequency to increase lesion sizes lead to an increased risk of skin burns that in turn limits lesion sizes [3,4,5]. RFA is the most widely used technique due to its general availability and recent technical advances; issues such as the need for high-current radiofrequency to increase lesion sizes lead to an increased risk of skin burns that in turn limits lesion sizes [3,4,5]. e incidence of skin burns after RFA ranges from 0.1–3.2% for second-/third-degree skin burns and up to 33% for firstdegree burns [6]
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