Temperature Profiles During Cryolipolysis

Abstract

Cryolipolysis (CLL) is a noninvasive clinical procedure for local reduction of adipose tissue. Paddles as cold as −10 °C are pressed against the skin to cool the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) to ∼10 °C, crystalize the stored triglycerides, and trigger apoptosis in the adipocytes. Occasional adverse effects occur following CLL. There is some uncertainty in the temperature profile during the procedure. Here, a Green's function solution of the one-dimensional (1D) Pennes equation is used to examine how uncertainties in thermal diffusivity and blood perfusion may change the temperature profile during CLL. Improved description of the temperature profile might aid in understanding the mechanisms leading to these adverse effects. The plausible range of values of blood perfusion adds significant uncertainty to the temperature profile during treatment.