Modeling and ex vivo experimental validation of liver tissue carbonization with laser ablation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to model the process of liver tissue carbonization with laser ablation (LA).

Methods: A dynamic heat source model was proposed and combined with the light distribution model as well as bioheat transfer model to predict the development of tissue carbonization with laser ablation (LA) using an ex vivo porcine liver tissue model. An ex vivo laser ablation experiment with porcine liver tissues using a custom-made 1064 nm bare fiber was then used to verify the simulation results at 3, 5, and 7 W laser administrations for 5 min.

Electroporation-Based Therapy for Brain Tumors: A Review.

Electroporation-based therapy (EBT), as a high-voltage-pulse technology has been prevalent with favorable clinical outcomes in the treatment of various solid tumors. This review paper aims to promote the clinical translation of EBT for brain tumors. First, we briefly introduced the mechanism of pore formation in a cell membrane activated by external electric fields using a single cell model.

An study of a custom-made high-frequency irreversible electroporation generator on different tissues for clinically relevant ablation zones.

Purpose: To examine the ablation zone, muscle contractions, and temperature increases in both rabbit liver and kidney models for a custom-made high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) generator.

Materials And Methods: A total of 18 New Zealand white rabbits were used to investigate five H-FIRE protocols ( = 3 for each protocol) and an IRE protocol ( = 3) for the performance of the designed H-FIRE device in both liver and kidney tissues. The ablation zone was determined by using histological analysis 72 h after treatment.

A review of antenna designs for percutaneous microwave ablation.

Microwave (MW) antenna is a key element in microwave ablation (MWA) treatments as the means that energy is delivered in a focused manner to the tumor and its surrounding area. The energy delivered results in a rise in temperature to a lethal level, resulting in cell death in the ablation zone. The delivery of energy and hence the success of MWA is closely dependent on the structure of the antennas.

What Information Are Patients Receiving from the Internet about the Operative and Nonoperative Management of Acute Appendicitis?

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that nonoperative management of appendicitis (NOMA) may be a reasonable option for managing uncomplicated acute appendicitis. We examined the Internet to see if patients are likely to find the information they need to make an informed decision between the 2 options.

Methods: A list of 29 search terms was established by a focus group and then entered into Google, resulting in 49 unique webpages, each reviewed by 3 reviewers.

A Novel Method to Increase Tumor Ablation Zones With RFA by Injecting the Cationic Polymer Solution to Tissues: In Vivo and Computational Studies.

Objective: This study aims to examine, for the first time, the introduction of cationic polymer solutions to improve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in terms of a potentially enlarged ablation zone.

Methods: By using in vivo and computational RFA studies, two cationic polymers, Chitooligosaccharides (COS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), diluted in deionized water, were injected into tissues separately surrounding the RF bipolar electrode prior to power application. A total of 9 rabbits were used to 1) measure the increase in electrical conductivity of tissues injected with the cationic polymer solutions, and 2) explore the enhancement of the ablation performance in RFA trials.

Direction of the Biopsy Needle in Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy Impacts Specimen Adequacy and Risk of Bleeding.

Introduction: Although medical factors such as hypertension and coagulopathy have been identified that are associated with hemorrhage after renal biopsy, little is known about the role of technical factors. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of biopsy needle direction on renal biopsy specimen adequacy and bleeding complications.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-two patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided renal biopsies were included.

Tumor Ablation Enhancement by Combining Radiofrequency Ablation and Irreversible Electroporation: An In Vitro 3D Tumor Study.

We hypothesized and demonstrated for the first time that significant tumor ablation enhancement can be achieved by combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) using a 3D cervical cancer cell model. Three RFA (43, 50, and 60 °C for 2 min) and IRE protocols (350, 700, and 1050 V/cm) were used to study the combining effect in the 3D tumor cell model. The in vitro experiment showed that both RFA enhanced IRE and IRE enhanced RFA can lead to a significant increase in the size of the ablation zone compared to IRE and RFA alone.

Transplant renal vein thrombosis in a recipient with aberrant venous anatomy.

Renal vein thrombosis in a transplanted kidney is an uncommon but critical complication that can result in graft loss if management is delayed. A 31-year-old male with known atresia of the inferior vena cava who received a deceased donor renal transplant 7 years previously presented to hospital with severe graft site pain and a week of nausea, vomiting, and chills. Serum creatinine was markedly elevated from baseline.

Development of a statistical model for cervical cancer cell death with irreversible electroporation in vitro.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a statistical model for cell death by irreversible electroporation (IRE) and to show that the statistic model is more accurate than the electric field threshold model in the literature using cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Methods: HeLa cell line was cultured and treated with different IRE protocols in order to obtain data for modeling the statistical relationship between the cell death and pulse-setting parameters. In total, 340 in vitro experiments were performed with a commercial IRE pulse system, including a pulse generator and an electric cuvette.

Proteomic Analysis of Perfusate from Machine Cold Perfusion of Transplant Kidneys: Insights Into Protection from Injury.

BACKGROUND Machine cold perfusion is beneficial to the preservation of kidneys for transplantation. At the end of preservation, the perfusion solution contains many proteins. Using a proteomics approach, we searched for useful biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in the perfusate.

A new approach to feedback control of radiofrequency ablation systems for large coagulation zones.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of achieving relatively large coagulation zones (i.e. ≥3 cm in diameter) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by using a broad control system.

Protection of the Transplant Kidney from Preservation Injury by Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9, play an important role in ischemic injury to the heart, yet it is not known if these MMPs are involved in the injury that occurs to the transplant kidney. We therefore studied the pharmacologic protection of transplant kidneys during machine cold perfusion.

Methods: Human kidney perfusates were analyzed for the presence of injury markers such as cytochrome c oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, and neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), and MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured.

Numerical analysis of the relationship between the area of target tissue necrosis and the size of target tissue in liver tumours with pulsed radiofrequency ablation.

Purpose: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is currently restricted to the treatment of target tissues with a small size (<3 cm in diameter). To overcome this problem with RFA, some phenomena need to be understood first. The study presented in this paper investigated the relationship between the area of target tissue necrosis (TTN) and the size of target tissue in pulsed radiofrequency ablation (PRFA).