In RFA, a needle electrode is inserted into the tissue lesion with imaging-guidance. A radio frequency (RF) electric signal is supplied to the catheter, while the ground electrodes are on the patient's body. The exposed catheter tip locally emits RF electric field energy to raise the tumor tissue temperature. Temperatures above ~50 C cause denaturation of intracellular proteins and lyisis tumor cells, eventually resulting in tumor necrosis.

CFDRC is developing advanced software tools for detailed image-based modeling of RFA. The 3D time-dependent model accounts for electromagnetic field propagation in tissue, energy absorption, heat transfer in tissue and surrounding vasculature, and ultimately the biology of cellular necrosis. The model will be used for image-guided treatment planning, design of novel catheters, active control of RF fields, etc.

We are actively looking for partners to commercialize our innovative RFA technology for applications in cardiac tissue treatment to cure rhythm disturbances and in hepatic ablation of liver tissue to treat cancer.