Modelling Brain Temperature and Cerebral Cooling Methods

Direct measurement of cerebral temperature is invasive and impractical meaning treatments for reduction of core brain temperature rely on predictive mathematical models. Current models rely on continuum equations which heavily simplify thermal interactions between blood and tissue. A novel~two-phase 3D porous-fluid model is developed to address these limitations. The model solves porous flow equations in 3D along with energy transport equation in both the blood and tissue phases including metabolic generation. By incorporating geometry data extracted from MRI scans, 3D vasculature can be inserted into a porous brain structure to realistically represent blood distribution within the brain. Therefore, thermal transport and convective heat transfer of blood are solved by means of direct numerical simulations. In application, results show that external scalp cooling has a higher impact on both maximum and average core brain temperatures than previously predicted. Additionally, the extent of alternative treatment methods such as pharyngeal cooling and carotid infusion can be investigated using this model.