| Microwave ablation has emerged as a promising technology for treating hepatic tumors. Microwave energy offers several theoretical advantages over other ablation technologies, including faster generation of heat, higher generated temperatures, markedly reduced influence of charring or desiccation on system performance and the ability to treat larger volumes of tissue.;In this study an analytical method to characterize the reflection coefficient of an insulated coaxial antenna is proposed and a technique to monitor the placement of the treatment antenna into the tumor is developed. This method involves monitoring the response of a broadband pulse launched down a coaxial treatment antenna and radiated into the tumor. A method to measure the dielectric properties of the tissue using the ablation applicator is also investigated. With the knowledge of measured dielectric properties the ablation zone monitoring can be facilitated. The techniques proposed in this study are validated in both numerical simulations and ex-vivo experiments. |
