A study on improving the outcome of cryosurgery using low thermal conductivity emulsions

Abstract

This study proposes a novel approach that utilises low thermal conductivity emulsions of perfluorodecalin as insulation around the tumour interface. The study reports the preparation of low thermal conductivity perfluorodecalin (PFD) emulsions (30%, 50%, 70% and 90% (w/v)) using probe sonication. The determination of thermal conductivity of these emulsions experimentally reveals a decrease in magnitude with the increase in the concentration of perfluorodecalin. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential studies indicate monodisperse and stable emulsions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the presence of perfluorocarbon phase in the emulsion. The results of differential scanning calorimetry and theoretical estimation of thermal conductivity demonstrate that the increase of perfluorodecalin concentration lowers the specific heat and thermal conductivity of the emulsions. Experimental studies have been performed during cryosurgical freezing on an agarose gel phantom in the presence of a low thermal conductivity emulsion layer. The results suggest that in the presence of PFD 90 emulsion layer around the gel phantom the temperature at the 10 mm axial thermocouple the temperature is found to be 11 ∘C, whilst in the absence of this emulsion layer, the temperature is − 4 ∘C at the same thermocouple location, suggesting the insulating ability of perfluorocarbon emulsion layer. In conclusion, this study proposes a new approach that utilises low thermal conductivity emulsions for enhancing the cryosurgical freezing and minimising the damage to a defined region.