# MWA verification system for improved confidence in treatment outcomes

> **NIH NIH R43** · PRECISION MICROWAVE, INC. · 2022 · $400,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This SBIR Phase I application aims to investigate a novel intra-procedural feedback
mechanism for microwave ablation (MWA) procedures used for the thermal treatment of localized
cancer. Although MWA provides a minimally invasive, low cost, outpatient therapy that has
comparable outcomes to the gold standard surgical resection for small tumors, local recurrence
rates remain considerably higher for large tumors (> 3 cm diameter). Inadequate thermal dose
delivery to the targeted tumor and failure to establish an adequate treatment margin is believed
to be a primary cause of thermal ablation’s higher recurrence rates. While contrast-enhanced
imaging with X-ray CT provides a means for verifying the ablation volume post-procedure, there
are no techniques for monitoring the ablation zone and providing actionable information during
the procedure. Incomplete ablation could result in disease recurrence and necessitate
reperformance of the procedure, burdening patients and hospitals where the CT-suite is a
capacity constrained resource. Alternatively, excessive thermal dose could inadvertently injure
nearby healthy tissues and require additional medical intervention. Leveraging unique capabilities
of the patented directional MWA (DMWA) applicator our team previously developed, we identified
a new method which uses our applicators to both deliver treatment and act as sensors to track
the status and estimate the completion of MWA procedures in real time. This innovation provides
clinicians critical intra-procedural feedback and give confidence that they achieved the result they
wanted and did not over- or under-treat while also preserving the integrity of the target organ and
reducing the chance of collateral injury to other sensitive tissues. This innovation does not require
significant changes to current clinical workflow or preclude continued use of post-ablation
confirmation imaging. The overall objective of this R43 SBIR Phase I application is to show
technical proof of concept for our proposed feedback method. The approach for our first specific
aim includes development of a predictive coupled electromagnetic-heat transfer physics model of
our feedback system using finite element method software tools. We will then construct an
experimental apparatus to monitor and record the electromagnetic parameters utilized in our
feedback system and conduct ex vivo benchtop experimentation to show proof-of-concept and
refine our computer model. Our second specific aim includes an in vivo study in collaboration with
our veterinary school to evaluate our feedback system in a clinical setting using post-procedure
CT imaging and histopathology. Our long-term goal is to improve safety and effectiveness of MWA
to expand patient access to minimally invasive, affordable, outpatient treatment of cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10481747
- **Project number:** 1R43CA265482-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** PRECISION MICROWAVE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Austin Pfannenstiel
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $400,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10481747

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10481747, MWA verification system for improved confidence in treatment outcomes (1R43CA265482-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10481747. Licensed CC0.

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