Finite element analysis of tissue deformation with a radiofrequency ablation electrode for strain imaging.

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) electrode displacement or deformation-based strain imaging can be used as an alternate imaging modality to monitor and to evaluate ablative therapies for liver tumors. This paper describes a biomechanical model used to study RF electrode deformation-based strain imaging, in conjunction with a simulated medical ultrasound linear array transducer. The computer simulations reported here are important steps toward understanding this biomechanical system in vivo, thus providing a basis for improving system design, including the motion tracking algorithm and image guidance for performing RF electrode displacement-strain imaging in vivo.