This study evaluates the effects of active electrode cooling, via internal fluid circulation, on the irreversible electroporation (IRE) lesion, deployed electric current and temperature changes using a perfused porcine liver model. A bipolar electrode delivered IRE electric pulses with or without activation of internal cooling to nine porcine mechanically perfused livers. Pulse schemes included a constant voltage, and a preconditioned delivery combined with an arc-mitigation algorithm. After treatment, organs were dissected, and treatment zones were stained using triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) to demonstrate viability. Thirty-nine treatments were performed with an internally cooled applicator and 21 with a non-cooled applicator. For the constant voltage scenario, the average final electrical current measured was 26.37 and 29.20?A for the cooled and uncooled electrodes respectively ([Formula: see text]). The average final temperature measured was 33.01 and 42.43?°C for the cooled and uncooled electrodes respectively ([Formula: see text]). The average measured ablations (fixed lesion) were 3.88-by-2.08?cm and 3.86-by-2.12?cm for the cooled and uncooled electrode respectively ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). Similarly, the preconditioned/arc-mitigation scenario yielded an average final electrical current measurement of a 41.07 and 47.20?A for the cooled and uncooled electrodes respectively ([Formula: see text]). The average final temperature measured was 34.93 and 44.90?°C for the cooled and uncooled electrodes respectively ([Formula: see text]). The average measured ablations (fixed lesion) were 3.67-by-2.27?cm and 3.58-by-2.09?cm for the cooled and uncooled applicators ([Formula: see text]). The internally-cooled bipolar applicator offers advantages that could improve clinical outcomes. Thermally mitigating internal perfusion technology reduced tissue temperatures and electric current while maintaining similar lesion sizes.
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