Numerical Simulation of Microwave Ablation in the Human Liver

Abstract

Microwave thermal ablation was developed as an alternative to other forms of thermal ablation procedures. The objective of this study is to numerically model a microwave ablation probe operating at the 2.45 GHz level using the finite element and finite volume methods to provide a comprehensive and repeatable study within a human male approximately 25 to 30 years old. The three-dimensional physical model included a human liver along with the surrounding tissues and bones. Three different input powers (10, 20, and 30 watts) were studied, along with the effect of the probe’s internal coolant flow rate. One of the primary results from the numerical simulations was the extent of affected tissue from the microwave probe. The resulting time and temperature results were used to predict tissue damage using an injury integral method. The numerical approach was validated with available experimental data and was found to be within 6% of the average experimentally measured temperatures.