Numerical Modeling of Monopolar Radio Frequency Ablation and Experimental Validation Through Fiber Bragg Gratings Sensors

Radiofrequency ablation is increasingly being used for the treatment of tumors due to its efficacy combined with minimal invasiveness. Nevertheless, one of its main limitations is still the size of ablation margins. Different strategies are under investigation to overcome this constraint, and, among these, saline infusion ablation seems to be one of the most promising solutions. In this context, numerical simulations can be fundamental to predict the outcomes of these innovative methods, reducing the number of necessary experiments. This work investigates the efficacy of a monopolar radio frequency probe through numerical and experimental approaches. Experiments were carried out on an ex-vivo bovine liver, measuring the temperature rise through fiber Bragg grating sensors. Recorded temperature profiles and ablation margins were compared with numerical simulation results showing good agreement. The combination of temperature monitoring during the ablation process and numerical simulations can be extremely helpful for refining existing therapeutic outcomes, minimizing the risk of collateral damage to adjacent anatomical structures. Moreover, assessing numerical simulation models can lead to the design of new electrode geometries, improving radiofrequency ablation outcomes.