Speaker: Christopher Dillon. Advisor: Douglas A. Christensen, Ph.D.

Abstract:

For magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) treatments to be broadly accepted in the clinic, progress must be made in patient-specific treatment planning, monitoring, and control. A key component to this goal is accurate modeling of the bioheat transfer equation (BHTE). Investigators regularly assume a priori knowledge of the three variable parameters of the BHTE: the ultrasonic specific absorption rate (SAR), the tissue thermal diffusivity, and perfusion-related energy losses. The research described in this proposal will show that obtaining patient-specific values for these parameters will greatly improve the accuracy of BHTE models. These improvements in thermal modeling should extend to therapy planning and treatment monitoring and control with potential for increasing the efficacy and safety of MRgHIFU thermal therapies.