Perturbations of large vessels on induced temperature distributions. Part A: Three-dimensional simulation study

It is well known that large blood vessels perturb the induced temperature distributions in biological situations. The understanding of the magnitude of the perturbation of the temperature distribution as a function of the vessel size and temperature gradient are critical to the development of accurate (and useful) models of bioheat transport. Weinbaum et al. have demonstrated a method for measuring the temperature distribution due to the presence of "small vessels". However, this technique is highly invasive and therefore not generally useful. An alternative to this method, is the use of a combination of MR image techniques to noninvasively measure 1) the location, size and velocity of certain blood vessels, and 2) the induced temperature distribution. This paper describes the principle of this method. Numerical simulations are to be used to evaluate the accuracy of the MR technique with particular emphasis on the perturbation around blood vessels. Prior to the evaluation of the accuracy of the MR technique, the accuracy of the numerical method must be determined. This paper reports on the numerical simulations performed for an inhomogeneous perfused phantom that resembles the phantom used in the experimental setup. The results agree with previously published data.

Duke Scholars

Author Oana Craciunescu Radiation Oncology