ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses several types of ablation, focusing on destruction of tissue function by heating, cooling and chemical reaction. It describes the basic concepts of the physics involved in each type of ablation, and explores designs and applications, limitations and future trends. Potential benefits of ablation procedures include the ability to ablate tumors in nonsurgical candidates, reduced morbidity as compared to surgery, elimination of the need for general anesthesia and shorter recovery period. Most ablative procedures are very minimally invasive, compared to conventional surgical techniques. Radio-frequency (RF) energy has been the most popular type of ablation but others are being explored and might eventually replace some existing applications of RF ablation due to their added advantages. The primary mechanism of tissue injury in response to RF ablation is thermal. The ability of ultrasound to produce small foci of high energy density opens up the possibility of high-temperature, short-duration hyperthermia and tissue ablation.
