Multi-Electrode Radio Frequency Ablation and Thermal Control

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation with mono- or bipolar electrodes is a common procedure for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a low rate of recurrence for small size tumors. For larger lesions and/or non-round/ellipsoid
shapes RF ablation has some limitations and generally does not achieve comparable success rates to microwave ablation or high-intensity focused ultrasound therapies. To shape RF ablations for matching a tumor size, we have developed an electronic channel switch box for two bipolar needles that generates multiple selectable ablation patterns. The setup can be used with commercially available mono- or bipolar RF generator. The switch box
provides ten selectable ablation procedures to generate dierent ablation patterns without a relocation of a needle.