This paper presents an updated and augmented version of the Wissler human thermoregulation model that has been developed continuously over the past 50 years. The existing Fortran code is translated into C with extensive embedded commentary. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed in Python to facilitate convenient user designation of input and output variables and formatting of data presentation. Use of the code with the GUI is described and demonstrated. New physiological elements were added to the model to represent the hands and feet, including the unique vascular structures adapted for heat transfer associated with glabrous skin. The heat transfer function and efficacy of glabrous skin is unique within the entire body based on the capacity for a very high rate of blood perfusion and the novel capability for dynamic regulation of blood flow. The model was applied to quantify the absolute and relative contributions of glabrous skin flow to thermoregulation for varying levels of blood perfusion. The model also was used to demonstrate how the unique features of glabrous skin blood flow may be recruited to implement thermal therapeutic procedures. We have developed proprietary methods to manipulate the control of glabrous skin blood flow in conjunction with therapeutic devices and simulated the effect of these methods with the model.
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February 2013
Research-Article
50 Years of Computer Simulation of the Human Thermoregulatory System
George M. Netscher,
George M. Netscher
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Austin,
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
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Eugene H. Wissler,
Eugene H. Wissler
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Austin,
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
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Kenneth R. Diller
Kenneth R. Diller
1
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Austin,
e-mail: kdiller@mail.utexas.edu
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
e-mail: kdiller@mail.utexas.edu
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
George M. Netscher
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Austin,
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
Eugene H. Wissler
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Austin,
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
Kenneth R. Diller
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Austin,
e-mail: kdiller@mail.utexas.edu
The University of Texas at Austin
,Austin,
TX 78712
e-mail: kdiller@mail.utexas.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Bioengineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING. Manuscript received November 10, 2012; final manuscript received December 25, 2012; accepted manuscript posted January 18, 2013; published online February 7, 2013. Editor: Victor H. Barocas.
J Biomech Eng. Feb 2013, 135(2): 021006 (9 pages)
Published Online: February 7, 2013
Article history
Received:
November 10, 2012
Revision Received:
December 25, 2012
Accepted:
January 18, 2013
Citation
Hensley, D. W., Mark, A. E., Abella, J. R., Netscher, G. M., Wissler, E. H., and Diller, K. R. (February 7, 2013). "50 Years of Computer Simulation of the Human Thermoregulatory System." ASME. J Biomech Eng. February 2013; 135(2): 021006. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4023383
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