Over the past decade years, the number of patients with cancer, according to experts, has increased by more than 20%. Effective removal of oncological tumors is an urgent task in modern medicine. The Laboratory of Medical Electronics at the Department of Electronic Devices of Novosibirsk State Technical University is developing a method for the destruction of biological tissues by high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The advantages of this method include a high resection rate, bloodless operation, coagulation of the incision edges, and short healing time.
"Modern methods of destruction of biological tissues are radiofrequency ablation (400-500 kHz) and microwave ablation (2450 MHz). During radiofrequency ablation, current flows through the patient's body, and microwave ablation is a procedure that uses ultrahigh-frequency electromagnetic radiation that is harmful to the body. We suggested using high—frequency electromagnetic radiation from 5 to 30 MHz. The procedure occurs without current flowing through the body and without using microwave energy, which is safer for the patient. The method of high—frequency destruction can be used for the treatment of both soft biological tissues and high-density tissues such as bone and cartilage. Resection of biological tissue to an incision depth of 10 mm is possible in a very short time, approximately 7 s., that is, there is a high rate of achieving the desired result with almost minimal impact on the surrounding tissues. In addition, the areas of coagulation of the incision and puncture edges obtained by HF destruction were relatively small," said Svetlana Belavskaya, Associate Professor of the Department of Electronic Devices at NSTU NETI, Candidate of Technical Sciences.
The developers designed and executed a high-frequency electromagnetic system for conducting experimental research. Pilot experiments were conducted on the biopsy of bovine muscle tissue and pig skin. Dmitry Kuleshov, a graduate student of the Department of Electronic Devices at NSTU-NETI (scientific supervisor S. V. Belavskaya), conducted preclinical tests on mice on the basis of the SPF-Vivarium Center of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the SB RAS with a positive result: no bleeding, coagulation of the incision edges, and relatively rapid healing. An electromagnetic exposure mode has been developed, which is harmless to surrounding tissues.
The priority of the method is fixed by the Federal Institute of Industrial Property. The results of the scientists' research have been published in several volumes of the journal "Data Analysis and Processing Systems", in the international journal "Achievements of Engineering Research" (New York, USA), and in the proceedings of international conferences: APEIE, EDM.
According to the developers, to further advance the method, it is necessary to collect certain statistics in vitro (on biopsies) and in vivo (on living organisms).