Numerical model for radiofrequency thermokeratoplasty

Author

Berjano, Enrique J. ; Saíz, Javier ; Ferrero, José M.

Author_Institution

Lab. Integrado de Bioeng., Valencia Univ., Spain

Volume

6

fYear

1997

fDate

30 Oct-2 Nov 1997

Firstpage

2496

Abstract

This work presents a numerical model of radiofrequency heating of the cornea in order to achieve permanent changes in its topography. The model is based on the finite element method. The first objective was to assess the free convection effect of aqueous humor during the heating procedure. The results reveal that the free convection of the fluid in the anterior chamber is not negligible. A comparison with different convection conditions reveals a difference of up to 4.5°C (at endothelium) between cases. The second objective was to modify the model to simulate radiofrequency thermokeratoplasty with cooled radiofrequency electrodes. In this case, results indicate that temperature profile is suitable, and only presents significant differences near to endothelium and in the anterior chamber

Keywords

coagulation; eye; finite element analysis; hyperthermia; natural convection; physiological models; radiofrequency heating; anterior chamber; aqueous humor; cooled radiofrequency electrodes; cornea; electrocoagulation; endothelium; free convection effect; heating procedure; numerical model; permanent topographic changes; radiofrequency thermokeratoplasty; temperature profile; Computer simulation; Cooling; Cornea; Electrodes; Electromagnetic heating; Finite element methods; Numerical models; Radio frequency; Temperature; Vision defects;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1997. Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE

Conference_Location

Chicago, IL

ISSN

1094-687X

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4262-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IEMBS.1997.756834

Filename

756834