Identification of the blood perfusion rate for laser-induced thermotherapy in the liver

Using PDE-constrained optimization we introduce a parameter identification approach which can identify the blood perfusion rate from MR thermometry data obtained during the treatment with laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT). The blood perfusion rate, i.e., the cooling effect induced by blood vessels, can be identified during the first stage of the treatment. This information can then be used by a simulation to monitor and predict the ongoing treatment. The approach is tested with synthetic measurements with and without artificial noise as input data.