A finite element model for ice ball evolution in a multi-probe cryosurgery.
The ice formation in a water body is examined for the computation of temperature field, phase change and a moving ice-water interface whose location is not known á priori. This is classically referred to as the Stefan problem [Rubinstein, L.I. (1971) The Stefan Problem (American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island 02904]. Based on the Duvaut [Duvaut, G. (1973) "Résolution d'un probléme Stefan" C.R. Acad Sci. Paris 276, 1461-1463] transformation, the governing equations for heat conduction are formulated within a variational principle that is readily amenable to a standard finite element solution without remeshing. Numerical simulation results pertaining to the freezing of tumour tissue in a multi-cryoprobe cryosurgery are presented. These results lend both quantitative and graphical support to the current empirical standards of "effective therapy" in view of refining clinical applications.
Liu
Zhihong
Z
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. wan@ucalgary.ca
Muldrew
Ken
K
Wan
Richard
R
Rewcastle
John
J
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods*
D007053:Ice