In Silico Study on the Geometry of Thermal Transducers in Magnetothermal Stimulation

Abstract

Hyperthermia therapy involves the controlled elevation of tissue temperature. It holds promise as a therapeutic modality for various medical applications, including tissue ablation and the activation of thermosensitive cellular mechanisms. This study leverages finite element modeling (FEM) of nanomaterial-mediated hyperthermia to optimize the geometry of the heat source within the tissue, with the goal of maximizing temperature distribution in solid and hollow organs, tailored for activation of heat-sensitive ion channels while aspiring to minimize tissue damage or ablation. The models consider physiological factors, such as surrounding fat tissues, vascularization, and fluids, and are developed to match rodent experiments with a scale-up to human scale organs. The two examined heat source configurations are direct injection of droplets of magnetic nanoparticles versus attached heat-generating magnetic transducers. The externally attached heat sources prove more effective at achieving therapeutic temperatures with minimal invasiveness, particularly in hollow organs. Furthermore, the simulations demonstrate the importance of heat source volume and density for uniform temperature distribution and reduced tissue damage. Human-scale models demonstrate the heat source and stimulation duration required for hyperthermia in organs. The suggested model is verified experimentally to match electrogenic cell modulation via heat-sensitive receptors, paving the way for more precise and safer treatments.