Apparatus for the non-invasive measurement of thermal properties and perfusion rates of biomaterials
First Claim
1. Apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within a biomaterial in a nonsteady state non-invasively comprising:
- a. a non-invasive first heat transfer and temperature sensing means positioned in direct thermal communication with said biomaterial,b. a non-invasive second heat transfer and temperature sensing means positioned in thermal communication with said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means,c. non-invasive means for changing the temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means.d. non-invasive means for changing the temperature of said second heat transfer and temperature sensing means so as to substantially prevent net heat flow between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and said second heat transfer and temperature sensing meanse. non-invasive means for quantifying the heat flow between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means to a surface of said biomaterial, andf. means for determining thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or perfusion as a function of time dependent heat dissipation during a period of fixed temperature elevation or measured rate of change of temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, by determining a rate of heat transfer between said first heat trasnfer and temperature sensing means and said biomaterial in a coupled fashion in conjunction with boundary and initial conditions,said apparatus having a size and thermal conductivity such that the thermal responsive time of said apparatus between a time of measuring temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and a time power is supplied to said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means being less than five seconds.
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Abstract
Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within a medium such as cutaneous tissue is non-invasively measured by at least two heating and temperature sensor. One sensor is positioned in thermal communication with the medium and a second sensor is positioned thermal communication with the first sensor. Both sensor are heated (or cooled) so as to substantially prevent net heat flow between them. In this manner, net heat flow between the first sensor and the medium can be measured, which measurements allow determination of the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within the medium.
86 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within a biomaterial in a nonsteady state non-invasively comprising:
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a. a non-invasive first heat transfer and temperature sensing means positioned in direct thermal communication with said biomaterial, b. a non-invasive second heat transfer and temperature sensing means positioned in thermal communication with said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, c. non-invasive means for changing the temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means. d. non-invasive means for changing the temperature of said second heat transfer and temperature sensing means so as to substantially prevent net heat flow between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and said second heat transfer and temperature sensing means e. non-invasive means for quantifying the heat flow between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means to a surface of said biomaterial, and f. means for determining thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or perfusion as a function of time dependent heat dissipation during a period of fixed temperature elevation or measured rate of change of temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, by determining a rate of heat transfer between said first heat trasnfer and temperature sensing means and said biomaterial in a coupled fashion in conjunction with boundary and initial conditions, said apparatus having a size and thermal conductivity such that the thermal responsive time of said apparatus between a time of measuring temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and a time power is supplied to said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means being less than five seconds. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within a biomaterial in a non-steady state non-invasively comprising:
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a. a noninvasive first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, b. a noninvasive second heat transfer and temperature sensing means positioned in thermal communication with said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, c. noninvasive means for changing the temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means, d. noninvasive means to quantify said net heat flow between said first and second heat transfer and temperature sensing means, and e. noninvasive means for quantifying the heat flow between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means to a surface of said biomaterial, and f. means for determining thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or perfusion as a function of time dependent heat dissipation during a period of fixed temperature elevation or measured time rate of change of temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means by determining a rate of heat transfer between said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and said biomaterial in a coupled fashion in conjugation with boundary and initial conditions, said apparatus having a size and thermal conductivity such that the thermal responsive time of said apparatus between a time of measuring temperature of said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means and a time power is supplied to said first heat transfer and temperature sensing means being less than five seconds. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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