Measurement and computational experiments within newborn's brain cooling process

This work presents the computational and experimental analysis of the neonate's brain cooling process. The fully 3-D real geometrical model of the newborn's body is built using Mimics software and the Design Modeler and utilizing available MRI and CT scans. The developed model is based on the Pennes bioheat equation. The blood perfusion rate, metabolic heat generation rate, as well as arterial and venous blood temperature, are all dependent on the tissue temperature. In order to determine proper values of the model parameters an attempt to experimental measurements and inverse analysis, based on the standard least-square method, is also carried out. Those measurements include experiments with the own thermal mannequin, specially designed stand to register the heat rate within a cooling cap using the thermographic camera. Obtained model parameters were also compared to the data obtained from neonatologists and medical literature. To implement the whole model, the Ansys Fluent with its User Defined Function capability was used. The tuned model was then applied to simulate the neonates' brain cooling process with a good accuracy and to determine the proper time of the therapy individual for a patient. Obtained results are also compared to real hypothermic therapy. In this way, the new protocol of the therapy and particularly its rewarming phase can be established to increase the safety of the therapy.