Theoretical simulation of the dual-heat-flux method in deep body temperature measurements

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2010:2010:561-4. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5626459.

Abstract

Deep body temperature reveals individual physiological states, and is important in patient monitoring and chronobiological studies. An innovative dual-heat-flux method has been shown experimentally to be competitive with the conventional zero-heat-flow method in its performance, in terms of measurement accuracy and step response to changes in the deep temperature. We have utilized a finite element method to model and simulate the dynamic process of a dual-heat-flux probe in deep body temperature measurements to validate the fundamental principles of the dual-heat-flux method theoretically, and to acquire a detailed quantitative description of the thermal profile of the dual-heat-flux probe. The simulation results show that the estimated deep body temperature is influenced by the ambient temperature (linearly, at a maximum rate of 0.03 °C/°C) and the blood perfusion rate. The corresponding depth of the estimated temperature in the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer is consistent when using the dual-heat-flux probe. Insights in improving the performance of the dual-heat-flux method were discussed for further studies of dual-heat-flux probes, taking into account structural and geometric considerations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Body Temperature / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
  • Perfusion
  • Skin Temperature / physiology
  • Thermometers