Burn Depth Prediction Using Analytical and Numerical Solution of Penne's Bioheat Equation

The correct evaluation of skin burn depth in order to make the appropriate choice of treatment is a serious concern in clinical practice. There is no difficulty in classifying first and third degree burns correctly. However, differentiation between the IIa (superficial dermal) and IIb (deep dermal) of second degree burn wounds is problematic even for experienced practitioners. An analytical solution of the three-dimensional Penne's steady-state equation has been obtained assuming a small burn-depth-to-extension ratio. The inverse problem has been posed in a search space consisting of geometrical parameters associated with the burned region. This space has been searched to minimize the error between the analytical and experimental skin surface temperatures. The technique has been greatly improved by using local one-dimensionality to provide the shape of the burned region. Heat transfer in the skin tissue was assumed to be transient and one-dimensional. Thermo physical parameters of successive skin layers are different, at the same time in sub domains of dermis and subcutaneous region the internal heating resulting from blood perfusion and metabolism is taken into account. The feasibility of using this technique and thermographs to determine skin burn depth has been analyzed. In this work the use of surface skin temperature for the determination of the depth of second-degree burns has been explored. Depth of the burn has been optimised numerically for different burning conditions.