Consideration of Tissue Deformation through an Electrode Displacement in a Monopolar Coagulation Model

Abstract

In today's surgery, high-frequency electrical currents are often used to achieve various effects, one important being the heating of tissue to stop bleeding. However, the physical processes of tissue heating are complex and not fully understood. This complicates medical device approval with the settings used for such applications. Therefore, a simulation approach can help provide evidence. In this contribution, we present a modification of a model already presented and described in a previous investigation. By incorporating continuum mechanics into our model, we were able to simulate the deformation of the tissue due to electrode displacement. The resulting deformed configuration was then used to simulate Joule heating by applying a constant direct current voltage and to analyze the effect of varying the electrode displacement depth on the heat distribution result. Our results show that the contact area of the electrode to the tissue plays a crucial role in heating the tissue. This is because the tissue heats up more slowly with a large contact area than with a small one, resulting in significantly greater heat propagation to deeper tissue regions.