Exploiting Microwave Imaging Methods for Real-Time Monitoring of Thermal Ablation. (9th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scapaticci, Rosa; Bellizzi, Gennaro G.; Cavagnaro, Marta; Lopresto, Vanni; Crocco, Lorenzo
• Other Names: Mohan Ananda S. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of antennas and propagation. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-11-09
• Subjects: Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Periodicals; Antennas (Electronics) -- Periodicals; Radio wave propagation -- Periodicals; Antennes (Électronique); Ondes radioélectriques -- Propagation; Antennas (Electronics); Electronic apparatus and appliances; Radio wave propagation; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.382405
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/5231065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-5869

Abstract

Abstract : Microwave thermal ablation is a cancer treatment that exploits local heating caused by a microwave electromagnetic field to induce coagulative necrosis of tumor cells. Recently, such a technique has significantly progressed in the clinical practice. However, its effectiveness would dramatically improve if paired with a noninvasive system for the real-time monitoring of the evolving dimension and shape of the thermally ablated area. In this respect, microwave imaging can be a potential candidate to monitor the overall treatment evolution in a noninvasive way, as it takes direct advantage from the dependence of the electromagnetic properties of biological tissues from temperature. This paper explores such a possibility by presenting a proof of concept validation based on accurate simulated imaging experiments, run with respect to a scenario that mimics an ex vivo experimental setup. In particular, two model-based inversion algorithms are exploited to tackle the imaging task. These methods provide independent results in real-time and their integration improves the quality of the overall tracking of the variations occurring in the target and surrounding regions.