FEM simulation and experimental determination of the temperature profile of nanoparticles excited by laser radiation

Abstract

Cancer cells can be easily killed when they reach a temperature above 40 degrees. This is known as hyperthermia and the incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) is helpful to locally rise the temperature. The local heating of NPs could also be used to deliver drugs encapsulated in a specific location inside a body. To achieve the local heating it is necessary to know the temperature profile of the NPs when excited by laser radiation. The COMSOL software was used to simulate the temperature profile of the NPs in an aqueous solution (the cells are mainly composed of water). An analysis is made regarding the temperature rise for different irradiation parameters, NPs concentration and the corresponding potential of locally affecting cancerous cells without significantly affecting adjacent healthy cells.