Cool tip rfa generator

All procedures were performed in an interventional suite with CT fluoroscopy and ultrasound capabilities under general endotracheal anesthesia assisted by an anesthesiologist. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures used a Cool-tip™ RFA generator (Covidien, Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA) with single 17G RF electrode kits (ACT1530/ACT2030) or cluster RF electrode kits (ACCT1525). The RFA procedures were performed by an interventional radiologist with between 10 to 15 years’ experience.

Mice were performed with a sham procedure or insufficient RFA when the tumor reached approximately 1 cm in length. In the sham group, a reverse L incision on the abdominal wall was made, and the incision was then sutured. In the insufficient RFA group, a reverse L incision on the abdominal wall was made. To protect adjacent tissues from heat injury, saline cotton balls were placed surrounding the tumor. A radiofrequency current generator (cool‐tip RFA generator, Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) was used to generate radiofrequency energy. To deliver the radiofrequency energy, we used a 17‐gauge cool‐tip electrode of 15 cm length with 0.7 cm exposed tip (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA). Each ablation cycle lasted for 10 s with a power output of 5 W.

In the orthotopic model, Hep3B cells (5 × 10⁶) were suspended in 200 μl serum-free DMEM and then implanted subcutaneously into the upper right flank region of nude mice. When the tumor reached approximately 1 cm in length, it was removed, minced into small pieces of equal volume (2 × 2 × 2 mm³), and transplanted into the livers of nude mice (n = 5 per group). The tumors were ablated with insufficient RFA. A radiofrequency current generator (cool-tip RFA generator, Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) was used to generate radiofrequency energy. To deliver the radiofrequency energy, we used a 17-gauge cool-tip electrode of 15 cm length with 0.7 cm exposed tip (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA). Each ablation cycle lasted for 10 s. The animals were sacrificed 3 weeks after insufficient RFA.