Numerical Analysis of Non-Fourier Model-Based Bio-Heat Transfer in the Laser-Irradiated Axisymmetric Living Tissue

Abstract

The current work is related to the numerical investigation of non-Fourier heat transfer inside the short-pulsed laser-irradiated axisymmetric soft tissue phantom. It utilizes the modified discrete ordinate method (DOM) to solve the transient radiative transfer equation (TRTE) for determining the intensity field. The laser energy absorbed by the soft tissue phantom behaves like a source in the Fourier/non-Fourier heat conduction model based-bioheat transfer equation (BHTE), which is solved by employing the finite volume method (FVM) to determine the temperature distribution. Despite the prevalent use of non-Fourier BHTE for this purpose, a second law analysis is considered crucial to detect any potential anomalies. Equilibrium entropy production rates (EPR) are initially computed based on classical irreversible thermodynamics (CIT), which may yield negative values, possibly contravening the second law. Consequently, the EPR based on CIT is adjusted using the extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT) hypothesis to ensure positivity. After that, the current research findings are compared with the results from the literature, and found good agreement between them. Then, the independent study is performed to select the optimum grid size, control angle size, and time-step. A comparative analysis of results between the traditional Fourier and non-Fourier models has been performed. The impact of different parameters on the temperature fields and EPRs is discussed. The effect of the optical properties of the inhomogeneity on the temperature distribution has been investigated. This study may help to enhance the effectiveness of the laser-based photothermal therapy (PTT).