Key result
Bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation using a liquid metal (E-GaIn) bronchial electrode achieved effective ablation temperatures (≥60°C) in 89.3% of cases in a porcine model.
Why the study?
Rigid metal electrode delivery into the center of lung nodules during radiofrequency ablation often leads to complications or suboptimal results.
Does CAROL ablation using a liquid metal bronchial electrode improve ablation efficacy and safety in porcine lung nodule models?
Does CAROL ablation using a liquid metal bronchial electrode improve ablation efficacy and safety in porcine lung nodule models?
A novel bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation system using liquid metal as a temporary electrode demonstrated feasibility, effective coagulation necrosis, and safety in a preclinical porcine model.
May support safer bronchoscopic ablation of lung nodules; leaves open human trial validation.
Radiofrequencyablation (RFA) is one of the treatment options for lung nodules; however, the need for exact delivery of the rigid metal electrode into the center of the target mass often leads to complications or suboptimal results. To overcome these limitations, we report a novel bronchoscopy-guided atraumatic no-touch RFA procedure that uses a specially designed radiofrequency (RF) conductor balloon catheter (CAROL catheter) and an injectable bronchial electrode based on a medical grade liquid metal (E-GaIn) in porcine lungs. The bronchial electrode injected from the CAROL catheter was able to turn the target-site bronchial air pipe into a temporally multi-tined RF electrode. The mean volume of E-GaIn (bronchial electrode) for each effective CAROL was 0.46 ± 0.47 ml. The ablation results showed highly efficacious and consistent results especially in the peripheral lung. Most bronchial electrodes were also retrieved by either bronchoscopic suction immediately after the procedure or by natural expectoration thereafter. The residual bronchial electrode did not cause any significant safety issues. Our computer simulation model also supported preclinical data.
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Kim et al. (2023) studied Lung nodule (porcine model) (n=47). CAROL ablation (bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation using E-GaIn liquid metal) vs. Conventional saline-associated linear electrode ablation or none was evaluated on Effective CAROL ablation (bronchial electrode temperature ≥ 60°C). Bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation using a liquid metal (E-GaIn) bronchial electrode achieved effective ablation temperatures (≥60°C) in 89.3% of cases in a porcine model.
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