Numerical Analysis of Hypothermia Effects in the Head and Neck by a New Model / 航天医学与医学工程

ABSTRACT

Objective To develop a new vascular heat transfer model in the neck to analyze temperature field affected by vertebral artery. Methods With numerical simulation based on the experimental dimension data, a new model along the axial temperature distributions of blood vessels of neck was established as neck surface under normal temperature condition and during hypothermia therapy. In addition, the results were compared with those based on conventional models without vertebral arteries considered. Results It was showed that vertebral arteries played an essential role in the process of transporting blood to the brain, and it was more effective to cool the vertebral arterial blood than any other major cervical arteries in order to cool the blood before entering the Circle of Willis. Conclusion All the results obtained in this study may offer some theoretical supports to the medical proposal to cool down the brain by hypothermia therapy, for example, by covering the head and neck with ice helmet.