Influence of electrical and thermal properties on RF ablation of breast cancer: is the tumour preferentially heated?

Table 1 Description of cases

Case description		Tumour dimensions (mm)		Const / Temp dep. σ	Number of Elements	Steady state/Controlled Transient
		Width	Length
1	F	-	-	C	1921	S
2	F	-	-	T	5520	S
3	FT	4.7	52	C	2208	S
4	FT	4.7	52	T	2214	S
5	FT	4.7	104	T	2797	S
6	FT	4.7	26	T	1940	S
7	FT	9.4	52	T	1985	S
8	FT	2.35	52	T	1985	S
9	F	-	-	T	5230	CT
10	FT	4.7	52	T	2214	CT

F = geometry with only fatty tissue, FT = geometry with fatty tissue and embedded tumour. C and T indicate constant and temperature dependent electrical conductivity respectively. S indicates that steady-state analysis has been performed, i.e. when the model has reached thermal equilibrium using constant boundary conditions. Cases denoted CT use transient analysis where Vin is controlled to maintain the maximum temperature at 100°C.

ISSN: 1475-925X