Biomaterial Database

Permeation of inert gases through human skin: modeling the effect of skin blood flow. 1989

J M Whang, and J A Quinn, and D J Graves, and G R Neufeld

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.

We present an analytic method for determining the effects of skin perfusion--vasculature and flow rates--on the flux of inert gases through human skin. We systematically specify the underlying blood flow and examine the resulting fluxes of several gases, allowing for the appropriate tissue resistances. For physiological flows, the stratum corneum has an effect equivalent to a series resistance. Helium flux at low total flow depends primarily on subdermal perfusion, but at higher flow, middermal and subpapillary effects become important. The fluxes of less permeable gases, such as argon and xenon, depend on middermal and subpapillary flow at lower total flows. From any single measurement of gas flux, it is difficult to establish an unambiguous value for the underlying blood flow, but the simultaneous measurement of different gases narrows the range of plausible conditions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010539	Permeability	Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions.	Permeabilities
D012039	Regional Blood Flow	The flow of BLOOD through or around an organ or region of the body.	Blood Flow, Regional,Blood Flows, Regional,Flow, Regional Blood,Flows, Regional Blood,Regional Blood Flows
D004058	Diffusion	The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.	Diffusions
D006358	Hot Temperature	Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm.	Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D006371	Helium	A noble gas with the atomic symbol He, atomic number 2, and atomic weight 4.003. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is not combustible and does not support combustion. It was first detected in the sun and is now obtained from natural gas. Medically it is used as a diluent for other gases, being especially useful with oxygen in the treatment of certain cases of respiratory obstruction, and as a vehicle for general anesthetics.	Helium-4,Helium 4
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001128	Argon	A noble gas with the atomic symbol Ar, atomic number 18, and atomic weight 39.948. It is used in fluorescent tubes and wherever an inert atmosphere is desired and nitrogen cannot be used.	Argon-40,Argon 40
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.