Objective: To analyze heat transfer process in skin tissues subjected to hot water and thus to predict the extent of scald.
Method: Basing on Pennes' Bio-heat Equation, a model for characterizing the damage process in tissues was presented and used for its analysis.
Result: Temperature distribution in the tissues during the process and the time of beginning of scald were numerically obtained. It was found that the effects of different initial temperature distribution, convection coefficients between the hot water and the tissue surfaces, and the temperature of the hot water are significant.
Conclusion: The transient heat transfer behavior in multi-layer tissues subjected to hot water can be predicted by the present model. It is useful in the clinical diagnosis and therapy for the scald caused by hot water.