Thermal infrared image to quantify nano particles enhanced laser deposition during malignant tissue ablation

It is important for laser-induced thermal therapy to exactly destroy all tumor cells within a desired region. In medical practice, it has been demonstrated that nano particles will extravasate and accumulate in tumors and serve to enhance absorptance of near infrared light. However, few efforts have yet been made to evaluate such improvement. This study proposed using infrared images to quantify the nano particles enhanced laser energy deposition effects. Its feasibility was demonstrated through several typical in vitro experiments and digital image analysis. It was shown that the ratio of tissue heating area with nano particles over that without loading nano particles has increased to different extent. Absorptance elevation for the case of nano Ag assisted CO₂ laser heating appears the most evident one. Infrared images is expected to serve as a promising method to perform nano thermotherapy in future oncological clinics.