Advantages of in vivo measurement of human skin thermal conductance using a calorimetric sensor

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 147; no. 18; pp. 10027 - 10036
• Main Authors: Rodríguez de Rivera, Pedro Jesús, Rodríguez de Rivera, Miriam, Socorro, Fabiola, Calbet, Jose A. L., Rodríguez de Rivera, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.09.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Calorimetry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electric properties; Equipment and supplies; Exercise; Heat conductivity; Heat measurement; Heat transfer; Heating; Inorganic Chemistry; Measurement; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Peltier effects; Penetration depth; Physical Chemistry; Physiological aspects; Physiological effects; Polymer Sciences; Sensors; Skin; Temperature sensors; Thermal conductivity; Thermopiles; Medical calorimetry; Skin thermal properties; Skin heat loss; Thermal conductance; Direct calorimetry
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-022-11275-x
• ISSN: 1388-6150

Thermal conductivity of the skin has been measured by in vivo procedures since the 1950s. These devices usually consist of temperature sensors and heating elements. In vivo measurement of skin thermal conductivity entails several difficulties. It is necessary to adequately characterize the excitation produced by the measurement. In addition, the thermal penetration depth of each instrument is different. These factors have led to the development of a multitude of techniques to measure the thermal conductivity or related magnitudes such as thermal conductance. In our case, we have built a calorimetric sensor designed to measure this magnitude directly and non-invasively. The device implements the basic principles of calorimetry and is capable of characterizing the thermal magnitudes of a 2 × 2 (4) cm 2 skin region. The sensor consists of a measuring thermopile with a thermostat cooled by Peltier effect. Several skin measurements performed under different conditions resulted in a thermal conductance ranging from 0.017 to 0.050 WK −1 . This magnitude, measured in vivo, is different in each studied area and depends on several factors, such as physical activity and the physiological state of the subject. This new sensor is a useful tool for studying the human body thermoregulatory response.