Three dimensional finite element model to study heat flow in dermal regions of elliptical and tapered shape human limbs

Abstract

In this paper a three-dimensional steady state model has been developed to study heat flow in dermal regions of tapered shape human limbs, which are elliptical in shape. The model incorporates the important biophysical parameters like blood mass flow rate, thermal conductivity and rate of metabolic heat generation. Appropriate boundary conditions have been framed using biophysical conditions. The finite element method has been employed using coaxial elliptical hexahedral elements to solve the problem. MATLAB 7.0 has been used to simulate the model and obtain numerical results.