Despite its importance, no clinical method of measuring perfusion is currently available. Dr. Valvano s group develops thermal methods to measure this important parameter.
Much debate considers which heat transfer model best describes tissue blood flow.
Until recently, researchers widely adopted a model suggested by Pennes to demonstrate the heat transfer effects of perfusion. The model's validity has been disputed. Dr. Valvano's group develops new thermal models founded on basic principles. Their research integrates analytic bioheat transfer, finite element numerical modeling, transducer design, analog instrumentation, microcomputer interfacing, interactive computer software, animal experimentation and clinical studies. Biomedical Engineering area.