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Transient Computational Analysis to Aid Microwave Ablation Device Design for Liver Tissue / DALE KERNOT

Swansea University Author: DALE KERNOT

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    Copyright: The Author, Dale Kernot, 2025 Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.69054

Abstract

Microwave ablation (MWA) therapy, a minimally invasive approach utilizing electromagnetic waves to induce cytotoxic temperatures within tumors, is the focus of this thesis. This thesis gives a comprehensive background of the theory underpinning established computational models and uses these models...

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Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Van Loon, R., and Arora, H.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69054
Abstract: Microwave ablation (MWA) therapy, a minimally invasive approach utilizing electromagnetic waves to induce cytotoxic temperatures within tumors, is the focus of this thesis. This thesis gives a comprehensive background of the theory underpinning established computational models and uses these models to perform a novel comparative analysis of various 2D MWA probe designs and to explore the efficacy of internally cooled probes. The aim is to enhance the knowledge of MWA by providing a detailed understanding of probe-tissue interactions.The initial segment of the research uses a two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model to systematically examine different MWA probe geometries. This study specifically addresses the changes in dielectric properties of tissues at elevated temperatures and their impact on the thermal and electric field distributions. Highlighting the importance of their consideration in modelling of MWA and the transient influence they have on the shape and size of ablation fields.The second part of the thesis presents a detailed parametric study of internally cooled MWA probes. This study examines the effects of coolant system configuration, including the internal position of the cooling system, coolant flow rate, and coolant temperature on the probe’s performance. These factors are critically analyzed to determine their influence on maintaining targeted tissue heating, preventing excessive heating, and potential damage to surrounding healthy tissues.This thesis demonstrates the creation of a custom multiphysics model for microwave ablation, developed using the open-source NGSolve software. This approach enabled precise modeling of complex probe-tissue interactions, illustrating the power of open-source tools in advancing medical device research.
Item Description: A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information
Keywords: Microwave ablation, Hyperthermal treatment, Numerical simulation, Bioheat
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: European Social Fund through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government, and Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe.

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