Alternative cooling and heating as a novel minimally invasive approach for treating obesity

Patients with obesity often suffer pain and risks arising from complications in their pursuit for a trimmer figure. Therefore, an effective and safe treatment for obesity is urgently needed. In this paper, we propose a novel minimally invasive way to treat the target obesity tissues via alternative cooling and heating produced by a microprobe. The validity of the method was evaluated through both numerical simulation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. Theoretical prediction presents the significant effect of typical surgery and assesses the influence of various temperature boundary conditions on the microprobe to obtain the ideal therapeutic effect. An estimation standard was also established on the basis of cryolipolysis and hyperthermia. The DSC test confirms physical and chemical changes in cells during the cooling and heating process. The treatment planning will be varied with operational target, such as longer or shorter treatment time, one or multiple probes, etc. The 3D reconstruction employing MATLAB shows a simulated destruction area. This work is expected to serve as the foundation for identifying a new cure for obesity.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Alternative cooling and heating is proposed to treat the target obesity tissues for the first time.
► The performances of one probe and multiple probes are investigated.
► The destroyed area range is estimated through 3-D theoretical simulation.
► The mechanism of destruction is confirmed by DSC tests.