Three-dimensional finite-element code for electrosurgery and thermal ablation simulations

Stanley Humphries; Kristin Johnson; Kyle Rick; Zheng-jun Liu; S. Nahum Goldberg M.D.

doi:10.1117/12.591055

14 April 2005 Three-dimensional finite-element code for electrosurgery and thermal ablation simulations (Invited Paper)

Stanley Humphries, Kristin Johnson, Kyle Rick, Zheng-jun Liu, S. Nahum Goldberg M.D.

Proceedings Volume 5698, Thermal Treatment of Tissue: Energy Delivery and Assessment III; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.591055
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2005, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

ETherm3 is a finite-element software suite for simulations of electrosurgery and RF thermal ablation processes. Program components cover the complete calculation process from mesh generation to solution analysis. The solutions employ three-dimensional conformal meshes to handle cluster probes and other asymmetric assemblies. The conformal-mesh approach is essential for high-accuracy surface integrals of net electrode currents. ETherm3 performs coupled calculations of RF electric fields in conductive dielectrics and thermal transport via dynamic solutions of the bioheat equation. The boundary-value RF field solution is updated periodically to reflect changes in material properties. ETherm3 features advanced material models with the option for arbitrary temperature variations of thermal and electrical conductivity, perfusion rate, and other quantities. The code handles irreversible changes by switching the material reference of individual elements at specified transition temperatures. ETherm3 is controlled through a versatile interpreter language to enable complex run sequences. The code can automatically maintain constant current or power, switch to different states in response to temperature or impedance information, and adjust parameters on the basis of user-supplied control functions. In this paper, we discuss the physical basis and novel features of the code suite and review application examples.

Citation Download Citation

Stanley Humphries, Kristin Johnson, Kyle Rick, Zheng-jun Liu, and S. Nahum Goldberg M.D. "Three-dimensional finite-element code for electrosurgery and thermal ablation simulations (Invited Paper)", Proc. SPIE 5698, Thermal Treatment of Tissue: Energy Delivery and Assessment III, (14 April 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.591055

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