Transient temperature profiles in tissues with nonuniform blood flow distributions.

Abstract

Numerical methods and the bio-heat transfer equation are employed to calculate temperature profiles in tissues subjected to nonuniform blood flow distribution for initial and boundary conditions which simulate experimental physiological situations. Results indicate that one can infer, from sudden changes in temperature distribution, the occurrence of sudden changes in tissue blood flow. However, prediction of blood flow distribution from near equilibrium or steady-state temperature profiles is of poor resolution, and does not appear useful as a practical technique. The methods and results are useful for predictions of temperature profiles in the absence of significant endogenous or exogenous heating; they can be extended to such applications by straightforward methods.