A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE HUMAN THERMAL SYSTEM
Abstract
THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR THE HUMAN THERMAL SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED. In preparing this model, finite-difference techniques to solve the heat conduction equation were used. Since numerial techniques were used, it was possible to include many more factors in this model than in the previous ones. The body was divided into fifteen geometric regions, which were the head, the thorax, the abdomen, and the proximal, medial, and distal segments of the arms and legs. Axial gradients in a given segment were neglected. In each segment, the large arteries and veins were approximated by an arterial pool and a venous pool which were distributed radially throughout the segment. Accumulation of heat in the blood of the large arteries and veins and heat transfer from the large arteries and veins to the surrounding tissue were taken into account. The venous streams were collected together at the heart before flowing into the capillaries of the lungs. Each of the segments was subdivided into fifteen radial sections, thereby allowing considerable freedom in the assignment of physical properties such as thermal conductivity and rate of blood flow to the capillaries. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0294127
Entities
People
- Eugene H. Wissler
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin