Distributed sensing network enabled by high-scattering MgO-doped optical fibers for 3D temperature monitoring of thermal ablation in liver phantom

Beisenova, Aidana and Issatayeva, Aizhan and Ashikbayev, Zhannat and Jelbuldina, Madina and Aitkulov, Arman and Inglezakis, Vassilis and Blanc, Wilfried and Saccomandi, Paola and Molardi, Carlo and Tosi, Daniele (2021) Distributed sensing network enabled by high-scattering MgO-doped optical fibers for 3D temperature monitoring of thermal ablation in liver phantom. Sensors, 21 (3). 828. ISSN 1424-8220 (https://doi.org/10.3390/s21030828)

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Abstract

Thermal ablation is achieved by delivering heat directly to tissue through a minimally invasive applicator. The therapy requires a temperature control between 50–100◦C since the mortality of the tumor is directly connected with the thermal dosimetry. Existing temperature monitoring techniques have limitations such as single-point monitoring, require costly equipment, and expose patients to X-ray radiation. Therefore, it is important to explore an alternative sensing solution, which can accurately monitor temperature over the whole ablated region. The work aims to propose a distributed fiber optic sensor as a potential candidate for this application due to the small size, high resolution, bio-compatibility, and temperature sensitivity of the optical fibers. The working principle is based on spatial multiplexing of optical fibers to achieve 3D temperature monitoring. The multiplexing is achieved by high-scattering, nanoparticle-doped fibers as sensing fibers, which are spatially separated by lower-scattering level of single-mode fibers. The setup, consisting of twelve sensing fibers, monitors tissue of 16 mm × 16 mm × 25 mm in size exposed to a gold nanoparticle-mediated microwave ablation. The results provide real-time 3D thermal maps of the whole ablated region with a high resolution. The setup allows for identification of the asymmetry in the temperature distribution over the tissue and adjustment of the applicator to follow the allowed temperature limits.

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