Electrodes and multiple electrode systems for radio frequency ablation: A proposal for updated terminology

Stefaan Mulier, Yi Miao, Peter Mulier, Benoit Dupas, Philippe Pereira, Thierry De Baere, Riccardo Lencioni, Raymond Leveillee, Guy Marchal, Luc Michel, Yicheng Ni

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective: Research on technology for soft tissue radio frequency (RF) ablation is ever advancing. A recent proposal to standardize terminology of RF electrodes only deals with the most frequently used commercial electrodes. The aim of this study was to develop a logical, versatile, and unequivocal terminology to describe present and future RF electrodes and multiple electrode systems. Materials and Methods: We have carried out a PubMed search for the period from January 1st 1990 to July 1st 2004 in seven languages and contacted the six major companies that produce commercial RF electrodes for use in the liver. In a first step, names have been defined for the five existing basic designs of single-shaft electrode. These names had to be unequivocal, descriptive of the electrode's main working principle and as short as possible. In a second step, these basic names have been used as building blocks to describe the single-shaft electrodes in combination designs. In a third step, using the same principles, a logical terminology has been developed for multiple electrode systems, defined as the combined use of more than one single-shaft RF electrode. Results: Five basic electrode designs were identified and defined: plain, cooled, expandable, wet, and bipolar electrodes. Combination designs included cooled-wet, expandable-wet, bipolar-wet, bipolar-cooled, bipolar-expandable, and bipolar-cooled-wet electrodes. Multiple electrode systems could be characterized by describing several features: the number of electrodes thatwere used (dual, triple, etc), the electric mode (monopolar or bipolar), the activation mode (consecutive, simultaneous or switching), the site of the inserted electrodes (monofocal or multifocal), and the type of single-shaft electrodes that were used. Conclusion: In this terminology, the naming of the basic electrode designs has been based on objective criteria. The short and unequivocal names of the basic designs can easily be combined to describe current and future combination electrodes. This terminology provides an exact and complete description of the versatile novel multiple electrode systems.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationLiver and Pancreatic Diseases Management
    PublisherSpringer New York
    Pages57-73
    Number of pages17
    ISBN (Print)9780387285481
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
    Volume574
    ISSN (Print)0065-2598

    Keywords

    • Kidney
    • Liver
    • Radio frequency ablation
    • Soft tissues

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