ARTICLE:

• Modeling patient temperature for improved thermal management during surgery  download article

Gerard M. J. van Leeuwen
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Francis-Paul E.M. Janssen
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Wouter D. van Marken-Lichtenbelt
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, DenDolech 2, Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Bas A.J.M. de Mol
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, DenDolech 2, Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Anton A. van Steenhoven
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the first results of numerical simulations modeling the whole-body temperature distribution in anaesthetised patients. Physical heat transfer is accounted for in a multi-segment model of the body, the modeled thermoregulation aims to maintain normal core temperature, and the administration of anaesthetics impact on the normal thermoregulatory changes in vasodilatation, vasoconstriction, and shivering. The passive and normal active systems devised by Fiala form the core of the model. In addition extra parameters have been introduced that modify the normal thermoregulation. Specifically, temperature thresholds for the different thermoregulatory responses were changed, and skin blood flow between thresholds was increased. The redistribution of heat caused by general anaesthesia is hereby reproduced. The aim was to develop the concepts that will enable the development of a realistic thermal model of the anaesthetic patient. For this goal extensive validation experiments are planned. Here, it was tried to keep the model as simple as possible and to gain insight in changes in thermoregulation. The mathematical model has been used to mimic a surgical procedure with use of a Heart Lung Machine (HLM). It was found that an afterdrop of the core temperature such as sometimes observed after decoupling from the HLM can be easily modeled.

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363-368 pages

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