Investigating the effect of phase change materials on the viability of damaged tissue in disarticulated limbs.

Abstract

Background: This study developed a temperature-controlled transport preservation box for severed limb tissues using phase change material (PCM) as the main source to solve the problem of inconvenient preservation of trauma and severed tissues under emergency conditions. The goal of this study is to extend the time window for treatment of severed limb casualties and reduce the rate of disability and teratogenicity.

Methods: In this study, after successfully establishing an animal model of severed limb injury in rats, the rats were divided into experimental and control groups. The rats in the control group were given emergency bandaging of the severed limbs and then reimplanted, while the rats in the experimental group were placed in the PCM preservation box at 4℃, 8℃, 12℃, and 16℃, and then the limbs were reimplanted. The PCM was subjected to temperature control test, thermal conductivity test, and DSC test at the four test temperatures. The biochemical indices, histological HE and PTAH staining, and ultrastructural observation by transmission electron microscopy were performed at the four test temperatures to evaluate the damage and degeneration of the severed limb tissues.

Results and conclusions: The PCM had good material and thermal properties at the four test temperatures. The control group was more damaged than the test group in terms of biochemical factor expression, histologic degeneration, and ultrastructural changes. Considering the material and thermal properties, cell structure changes, and cell physiological status, the 8℃ test group shows excellent potential for clinical application and lays a solid foundation for further clinical application in the future.