Patrone, Renato (2023) A New Laparoscopic and Robotic Flexible Bipolar Radiofrequency Hollow Needle for Liver Cancer Ablation - Preliminary study and prototype design. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

This research project originated from a surgical experience in liver surgery, leading to the identification of a need for a novel ablative device for laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The project aimed to develop a flexible, bipolar radiofrequency (RF) hollow needle for enhanced maneuverability, single-needle RF application without external plates, and the ability to instill therapeutic fluids. The initial phase involved analyzing existing RF needle models and constructing a prototype. Experiments were conducted on swine and bovine liver samples using a comb-like RF probe with integrated fiber optic sensors. Temperature variations were recorded during radiofrequency ablation (RFA), revealing different outcomes based on needle insertion locations and experimental conditions. Subsequent experiments utilized a single needle with saline infusion, revealing challenges in predicting ablation areas due to complex factors such as tissue characteristics, fluid dynamics, and needle positioning. Numerical simulations were employed to estimate ablation zones, showing good agreement with experimental results for non-infused needles but indicating limitations in predicting outcomes for infused needles. The study underscores the importance of considering tissue complexities, fluid dynamics, and needle characteristics when developing and testing ablative devices. Future work involves constructing a prototype for experimental validation in wet and animal labs, aiming to refine the needle design and assess its effectiveness in laparoscopic and robotic liver surgery.

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