Dynamic Real-Time Monitoring of Irreversible Electroporation Ablation Efficacy Using Cole–Cole Model

Abstract Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a promising ablation technology, yet its clinical use is constrained by the difficulty of real-time treatment monitoring. This study examines whether Cole–Cole model parameters—intracellular fluid impedance (Ri), extracellular fluid impedance (Re), and membrane capacitance (CcpeF)—can serve as rapid indicators of ablation progress, using data collected with a self-developed four-electrode impedance device, and explores how pulse settings, namely, interpulse delay and burst number, influence treatment efficacy. Finite-element simulations and experiments on potato tissue assessed electric-field distribution and lesion size across field strengths of 500–1700 V cm−1; Cole–Cole parameters were measured immediately before and after pulsing, while interpulse delays of 50–1000 μs and burst counts of 2–15 were evaluated for their effect on ablation depth. Parameter shifts showed strong correlations with lesion area (P < 0.05): after ablation, Re decreased by up to 92%, Ri increased by up to 38% and CcpeF rose by up to 448%. Longer interpulse delays and higher burst numbers both significantly deepened ablation (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that Cole–Cole parameters provide actionable, real-time feedback for controlling IRE procedures and highlight the need to configure pulse timing carefully to avoid over- or under-treatment.