Design of a stimulation protocol to predict temperature distribution in subcutaneous tissue using the finite element model

Abstract

Moxibustion is a traditional Oriental medicine therapy that treats the symptoms of a disease with thermal stimulation. However, it is difficult to control the strength of the thermal or chemical stimulus generated by the various types and amounts of moxa and to prevent energy loss through the skin. To overcome these problems, we previously developed a method to efficiently provide RF thermal stimulation to subcutaneous tissue. In this paper, we propose a finite element model (FEM) to predict temperature distributions in subcutaneous tissue after radio-frequency thermal stimulation. To evaluate the performance of the developed FEM, temperature distributions were obtained from the FEM, and in vivo experiments were conducted using the RF stimulation system at subcutaneous tissue depths of 5 and 10 mm in the femoral region of a rabbit model. High correlation coefficients between simulated and actual temperature distributions-0.98 at 5 mm and 0.99 at 10 mm-were obtained, despite some slight errors in the temperature distribution at each depth. These results demonstrate that the FEM described here can be used to determine thermal stimulation profiles produced by RF stimulation of subcutaneous tissue.

Depth of thermal dispersion of monopolar radiofrequency heating in the vaginal wall

“…While data on vaginal wall thickness is available, there is known to be wide variation with little in the way of correlation to demographic data [32]. Lastly, while the numerical techniques and governing equations employed in this study are widely used, we have not experimentally validated this model [22,23,33,34]. This limits the quantitative applicability of our results to real world devices as well as clinical application.…”

“…There are a handful of application specific studies employing the same techniques used herein. Myoung et al (2017) numerically simulated RF heating of a three layer model of human skin and underlying tissue [22]. Through a series of RF deposition timing schemes they developed a protocol for analyzing moxibustion (a traditional east asian medicinal practice which involves heating tissue).…”

Computational modeling of deep tissue heating by an automatic thermal massage bed: predicting the effects on circulation

“…To estimate the temperature distribution produced by a given thermal device, computational modeling that accounts for the heterogeneous anatomical structures of the treated area may be leveraged. Indeed, computer-based simulations are standard tools across medical device design (such as neuromodulation) and increasingly rely on detailed image (e.g., MRI) derived representation of the underlying anatomy (8–11).…”

Computational Modeling of Deep Tissue Heating by an Automatic Thermal Massage Bed: Predicting the Effects on Circulation

“…To estimate the temperature distribution produced by a given thermal device, computational modeling that accounts for the heterogeneous anatomical structures of the treated area may be leveraged. Indeed, computer-based simulations are standard tools across medical device design (such as neuromodulation) and increasingly rely on detailed image (e.g., MRI) derived representation of the underlying anatomy ( 14 – 17 ).…”