Electrothermal analysis of radiofrequency tissue ablation with flexible electrodes on large-curvature myocardium surfaces

doi:10.1007/s10483-025-3229-8

Abstract

Abstract:

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a form of minimally invasive procedure that precisely ablates abnormal lesions or hyperplastic tissues through thermal energy generated by the radiofrequency current at the tip electrode of the flexible catheter, which aims to partially or fully restore the function of the corresponding tissues or organs. Accurate prediction and control of thermal fields are crucial for clinical thermal ablation to ensure precise control of the ablation lesion size and prevent excessive burning of healthy tissues. In this study, an axisymmetric analytical model is developed for the electrothermal analysis of RFA in the cambered tissue surface and verified with the finite element analysis (FEA), which incorporates both the thermal field induced by the radiofrequency current and Pennes' biothermal effect. This model utilizes analytically derived electric and thermal fields to accurately predict the increase in the tissue temperature and the time-varying size of ablation lesion in the tissue. Furthermore, the parameters such as the input current density, curvature, and convective heat transfer coefficient of blood have a significant effect on the thermal field and thus the ablation lesion size. This electrothermal analytical model with a large curvature may provide a theoretical foundation and guidance for the future RFA applications on large-curvature biological surfaces, thereby enhancing accuracy, reducing the need for re-ablation, and lowering the costs associated with the design and production of ablation catheters.

Key words: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), electrothermal analysis, large curvature, flexible electrode

2010 MSC Number:

O551

Jiayun CHEN, Bochuan JIANG, Qi ZHAO, Yuhang LI, Yafei YIN, Xuanqing FAN. Electrothermal analysis of radiofrequency tissue ablation with flexible electrodes on large-curvature myocardium surfaces. Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (English Edition), 2025, 46(3): 573-590.

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Figures/Tables 8

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References 59

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Material	Density/(kg·m^-3)	Specific heat/(J·kg^-1·°C^-1)	Thermal conductivity/(W·m^-1·°C^-1)
Myocardium	1 070	3 500	0.59
Blood	1 050	3 600	—