The numerical simulation of unsteady heat conduction in a premature infant

This paper presents a mathematical model for time-dependent heat transfer processes in a premature infant as well as a finite volume scheme for the numerical solution of the underlying equations. The modelling of important physiological processes leads to a bio-heat equation. The main property of this formulation is the time-dependent heat distribution by blood flow. The employed finite volume scheme relies on the use of unstructured grids. Numerical simulations are presented which show the development of physical states due to a change in boundary values.