A 3D thermal model to analyze the temperature changes of digits during cold stress and predict the danger of frostbite in human fingers.
The existing computational models of frostbite injury are limited to one and two dimensional schemes. In this study, a coupled thermo-fluid model is applied to simulate a finger exposed to cold weather. The spatial variability of finger-tip temperature is compared to experimental ones to validate the model. A semi-realistic 3D model for tissue and blood vessels is used to analyze the transient heat transfer through the finger. The effect of heat conduction, metabolic heat generation, heat transport by blood perfusion, heat exchange between tissues and large vessels are considered in energy balance equations. The current model was then tested in different temperatures and air speeds to predict the danger of frostbite in humans for different gloves. Two prevalent gloves which are commonly used in cold climate are considered for investigation. The endurance time and the fraction of necrotic tissues are two main factors suggested for obtaining the response of digit tissues to different environmental conditions.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
Amir
A
Fallahi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran. Electronic address: salimpour@cc.iut.ac.ir.
Mohammad
M
Reza Salimpour
Foolad Institute of Technology, Fooladshahr, Isfahan 84916-63763, Iran.
Ebrahim
E
Shirani
D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D005627:Frostbite / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009336:Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013814:Thermal Conductivity
Cold injury; Endurance time; Finger; Frostbite; Necrotic tissue; Thermo-fluid model