title: Image-guided thermochemical ablation: theoretical and practical considerations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test thermochemical ablation for potential as a new method to coagulate tissue and create a prototype device for administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reactions of either HCl or acetic acid and either NH4OH or NaOH were run in triplicate in a gel phantom as a simple calorimeter. Data were recorded over a period of 5 minutes using concentrations from 1-12 M in the case of HCl and NH4OH. Comparison reactions were run at 11 M using each acid reacted with each base. Two early device prototypes were devised using readily available components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum temperature rise was nearly instantaneous and was observed to peak with the 12 M solutions at 106 degrees C. The maximum temperatures in the 11 M comparisons were seen with the strong acid HCl paired with the strong base NaOH. The lowest temperatures were seen with the weak acid acetic acid paired with the weak base NH4OH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thermochemical ablation reactions can release adequate amounts of heat energy to cause tissue ablation.
authors: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. cress013@umn.edu
authors: Erik N K
authors: EN
authors: Cressman
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide; D002151:Calorimetry / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005782:Gels; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D006878:Hydroxides; D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D019342:Acetic Acid; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid