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A digital simulation of transient oxygen transport in capillary‐tissue systems (cerebral grey matter). Development of a numerical method for solution of transport equations describing coupled convection‐diffusion systems
Author(s) -
Reneau Daniel D.,
Bruley Duane F.,
Knisely Melvin H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690150620
Subject(s) - oxygen transport , oxygen , mechanics , diffusion , scope (computer science) , capillary action , chemistry , transient (computer programming) , cerebral blood flow , convection , brain tissue , thermodynamics , computer science , physics , biomedical engineering , anesthesia , engineering , medicine , organic chemistry , programming language , operating system
Abstract The mechanism by which oxygen is transported from capillaries into tissue for cell respiration has been a subject of interest since the work of August Krogh in 1919. Mathematical analyses of the diffusion process have been obtained by several investigators ( 11, 12, 18 ), but are limited in scope by the complicated nature of the problem. However, the solutions that exist give enough insight to inspire a more rigorous treatment. With the advant of electronic computers more complete analyses are now within reach ( 16 ). The human brain accounts for less than 4% of the total body weight, yet it uses 15 to 20% of the total body oxygen consumption. This high metabolic rate makes the brain particularly vulnerable to any change in the normal oxygen supply. The fact that following a cessation of cerebral blood flow, unconsciousness develops within 10 sec., and irreversible damage within 10 min., demonstrates the importance of understanding the dynamics of oxygen supply to the brain.