**6. Conclusion**

180 Hyperthermia

since it allows the use of a higher temperature.

**Figure 10.** Soft tissue test results.

**Temperature (**

 **oC)**

**5. Summary of results** 

**Table 1.** Summary of results

minimum time.

In figure 9, the results show that 15 watts produced temperature above the ideal ablation range, leading to carbonization and consequently a drop in temperature. Both 10 watts and 13 watts are suitable for ablating kidney tissue as seen, with 13 watts giving the best results

**SOFT TISSUE**

In figure 10, the results show that, while 15 watts produced temperature within the ideal ablation range, the best result was obtained with the 20 watts power setting since the temperature is higher. This means that the ideal temperature range for treatment will be reached quicker with 20 watts. The 10 watts power setting produces temperature below the

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 **Time (min)**

The above results have been summarized in table 2 below showing the different tissue types, the best power settings suitable for each tissue type, the minimum and maximum time required to keep the temperature within the ideal ablation range of 50 to 1000C, and the total duration. The total duration is the difference between the maximum time and

(min)

Brain 3.0 4.30 15.0 10.30

Kidney 13.0 1.30 15.0 13.30

Liver 6.0 0.30 15.0 14.30

Lung 2.0 2.30 15.0 12.30

Soft tissue 20.0 1.30 15.0 13.30

Max. Time (min)

Duration (min)

10 watts 15 watts 20 watts

ideal range, and was therefore inadequate for ablating soft tissue.

Tissue Type Power (w) Min. Time

The search for less morbid and less invasive techniques for cancer treatment has led to a strong drive within the global oncology community to develop and implement even more minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The goals of these minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of cancerous tumours that have made them attractive to both patients and physicians are summarized as:


With several ablation techniques available, the ablation characteristics and method of application will differentiate one ablation method from another. Though RF ablation is more widely used, it has its limitations. Most thermo-ablative procedures could be performed in the doctor's office as an outpatient procedure with mild or no sedation. With RF ablation, it requires an increase in temperature to induce necrosis (tissue death). The heat needed for this necrosis requires that large amount of local anaesthetic be infused around the treatment site. This excess fluid blurs the ultrasound visualization of RFA and other heat-based ablation techniques. Though all the available literature agree that thermal ablation therapy is relatively safe and much less traumatic than radical surgical procedures, some complications and side effects have been reported. Some of these complications and side effects have been associated with probe design, probe placement, or the use of multiple probes. The use of both single and multiple probe placements have been described in many studies. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Though multiple probes appear to be more successful in destroying larger tissue volumes, their use increases the risk of complications in the procedure. Finally, the high cost of RF ablation equipment, coupled with their limited availability has placed these treatment procedures above the reach of most patients and physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project work which aims to investigate the design and development of a minimally invasive thermo-active oncology probe, will narrow this price gap and make treatment more affordable, and readily available to the ordinary patient in Sub-Saharan Africa.
