Induction Thermocoagulation of the Brain: A New Neurosurgical Tool

The use of an external radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic field to produce thermocoagulative lesions in neural tissue is presented. This technique, which originally was evaluated on animals and then extended to man, shows great promise as a new neurosurgical tool. It is a means by which neurological disease and intractable pain may be treated in a safe and simple manner. Heating is produced by the action of the RF-induction field on surgically implanted electroseeds having no external connection. The implantation is a simple procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. Instrumentation is discussed, as well as the problems encountered in coil and electroseed design. Experimental findings and theoretical determinations of heat production are discussed and compared. Present limitations and ideas for future work are also considered.