Mathematical modeling of the frozen zone dynamics: towards using thermal imagers in cryotherapy

Abstract

Using thermal imaging for cryoablation and cryotherapy is a convenient technique but it does not allow for visualization of what is inside. We model thermal field distribution which can help relate surface thermal field images to in-depth temperature field dynamics that show freezing and thawing processes dynamics. We consider the spatio-temporal distribution of temperature using examples of hydrogel and living tissue subjected to a cryoprobe. Freezing in the hydrogel is compared with the measurements using visual morphometry. Such studies can be useful for comparing in-vitro and in-vivo thermal field dynamics and for estimating the correct timing for cryoapplication.