Current oncologic applications of radiofrequency ablation therapies

Table 1 Radiofrequency ablation systems commercially available in the United States[4,8]

RFA system	Electrodes	Generator power/frequency	Control system	Algorithm used to maximize volumes
Boston scientific	14 gauge, 10-12 tines, umbrella shaped	200 W/460 kHz	Impedance controlled	Coaxial system
Valleylab (radionics)	17.5 gauge, single cooled needle or three cooled needles in triangular cluster	200 W/480 kHz	Impedance controlled	Cool-tip
RITA medical systems		250 W/460 kHz	Temperature controlled
Starburst XL	14 gauge, 9 tines, Christmas tree shape max diameter 5 cm			Expandable
Starburst XLi	14 gauge, 9 tines, max diameter 7 cm
Starburst Flex	13 gauge, flexible			Expandable, wet electrode
Berchtold	18-14 gauge	60 W/375 kHz	Impedance or temperature controlled	Wet electrode

Modified from[4,8]. Cool-tip: Cooled electrode achieved with chilled water flowing through electrode but not entering tissue; Wet-electrode: Saline infusion into tissue adjacent to electrode creates larger “virtual” electrode around metal electrode tip.