A FINITE-ELEMENT MODEL PREDICTS THERMAL-DAMAGE IN CUTANEOUS CONTACT BURNS

Citation
Dp. Orgill et al., A FINITE-ELEMENT MODEL PREDICTS THERMAL-DAMAGE IN CUTANEOUS CONTACT BURNS, The Journal of burn care & rehabilitation, 19(3), 1998, pp. 203-209
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Surgery,Rehabilitation,"Emergency Medicine & Critical Care
ISSN journal
02738481
Volume
19
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
203 - 209
Database
ISI
SICI code
0273-8481(1998)19:3<203:AFMPTI>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
Thermal injury results from exposure of skin elements to an externally applied heat source. finite-element analysis of heat transfer in cuta neous burns allows for an accurate prediction of tissue time-temperatu re relationships throughout the exposed tissue. A two-dimensional, axi symmetric, finite-element model of a contact burn was constructed, and damage integrals were calculated by applying the Arrhenius equation t o the time-temperature profiles at each point. The epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat were modeled as uniform elements with distinct th ermal properties. Heated aluminum blocks were applied to Yorkshire pig s for 10 to 80 seconds to produce contact burns. Wound biopsies taken at 1, 24, and 48 hours were examined histologically and measured for t he depth of burn. A significant deepening of the gelatinized tissue wa s observed in tissue taken from 1 hour to 24 hours. The finite-element prediction of cutaneous contact burn damage correlated well with hist ologic observations in this porcine model.