Robotically customizable thermal ablation volumes

Stereotactic percutaneous ablation is a fast advancing modality for treatment of tumors in soft solid organs such as the liver, kidney and lung. Ablation needles typically deliver ellipsoidal shaped ablation volumes varying in size as a function of ablation time and power. As a result, irregularly shaped tumors can only be ablated by delivering volumes significantly larger than the target itself or by the use of several needles. In this study, we have investigated the possibility of creating ablation volumes with configurable shapes through synchronous modulation of ablation power and applicator position, in an ex-vivo porcine liver model.