A Three Layer Model for the Thermal Impedance of the Human Skin: Modeling and Experimental Measurements

Abstract

In this paper a dynamic three layer model for the heat transfer in the human skin is presented. The model is solved in the Laplace domain using the phasor notation. In order to compare the theoretical model with experimental results, a transient heating was carried out and the time dependent skin temperature was recorded with a thermographic camera. The transient temperature could be fitted very well to an analytical function, which could easily be transformed into the Laplace domain allowing an easy comparison between the model and the experimental results. The aim of the research is to evaluate the skin thermal parameters for all layers including the blood perfusion.

Thermal parameter extraction for screening procedure of skin pathologies based on the cold provocation

“…Cold provocation and thermal modeling of a tissue are known in medicine for years [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Among many thermal models, the Pennes one was the first and still is in use [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Among many thermal models, the Pennes one was the first and still is in use [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. It assumes the heat transfer is tissue depended according the diffusion equation, but with the extension of extra component responsible for the perfusion -equation (1).…”

“…In addition, the metabolic heat can be taken in account as it plays not negligible role in the heat balance in the tissue [1][2][3][4]. In many practical cases skin tissue can be modelled as multilayer objects [6][7][8]. Modeling the multilayer thermal structures with blood flow and perfusion is not an easy task.…”

“…Equation (2) can be presented in Laplace domain (3), and then it can be solved analytically [6][7][8]. In order to get the temperature field in all layers of the structure, one has to define the boundary and interface conditions between the layers.…”

“…In order to get the temperature field in all layers of the structure, one has to define the boundary and interface conditions between the layers. Then the set of linear equations is formed and solved either by analytical and numerical means [6][7][8].…”