Bioheat Transfer Basis of Human Thermoregulation: Principles and Applications

Thermoregulation is a process that is essential to the maintenance of life for all warm-blooded mammalian and avian species. It sustains a constant core body temperature in the face of a wide array of environmental thermal conditions and intensity of physical activities that generate internal heat. A primary component of thermoregulatory function is the movement of heat between the body core and the surface via the circulation of blood. The peripheral vasculature acts as a forced convection heat exchanger between blood and local peripheral tissues throughout the body enabling heat to be convected to the skin surface where is may be transferred to and from the environment via conduction, convection, radiation, and/or evaporation of water as local conditions dictate. Humans have evolved a particular vascular structure in glabrous (hairless) skin that is especially well suited for heat exchange. These vessels are called arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) and can vasodilate to large diameters and accommodate high flow rates. We report herein a new technology based on a physiological principle that enables simple and safe access to the thermoregulatory control system to allow manipulation of thermoregulatory function. The technology operates by applying a small amount of heating local to control tissue on the body surface overlying the cerebral spine that upregulates AVA perfusion. Under this action, heat exchangers can be applied to glabrous skin, preferably on the palms and soles, to alter the temperature of elevated blood flow prior to its return to the core. Therapeutic and prophylactic applications are discussed.