Thermally induced convective movements in a standard experimental model for characterization of lesions prior to radiofrequency functional neurosurgery.

Experimental exploration of equipment for stereotactic functional neurosurgery based on heating induced by radio-frequency current is most often carried out prior to surgery in order to secure a correct function of the equipment. The experiments are normally conducted in an experimental model including an albumin solution in which the treatment electrode is submerged, followed by a heating session during which a protein clot is generated around the electrode tip. The clot is believed to reflect the lesion generated in the brain during treatment.