A Method of Determining the Thermophysical Properties and Calorific IIntensity of the Organ or Tissue of a Living Body

A new method was developed to determine simultaneously the thermal conduc- tivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and calorific iIntensity of the organ or tissue of a living body either in vivo or in vitro with a thin hot probe. By using the method, the thermophysical properties and calorific iIntensities of a human palm and in vivo liver and a kidney, heart, brain, and foreleg and hindleg muscles of an anesthetized canine were measured. It is concluded that there are no significant differences in the thermophysical properties of organ or tissue of a living body either in vivo or in vitro. The measured thermophysical properties are in good agreement with those reported in the literature.