An Intraoperative Guidance Platform for Radio Frequency Ablation

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposed research program is to develop a platform for planning and guidance during Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is a thermally mediated ablation technique, where an applicator carrying oneelectrode is inserted into tumors percutaneously (or via laparoscopy, or open surgical approaches). Radio Frequency (RF) energy is applied, denaturating and coagulating tissues in a volume of 2cm to 5cm of diameter. Some RFA electrodes are shaped as straight needles; others deploy an umbrella of tines to ablate a larger volume. RFA is attractive as it can be used percutaneously resulting minimally invasive. RFA is a widely accepted cancer treatment therapy, and is applied to primary and secondary tumors indifferent organs, including liver, lung, kidney, breast, and in musculoskeletal interventions. RFA is often the preferred treatment option for inoperable patients. The typical approach for RFA is percutaneous. Physicians therefore have no direct view of th