Localization and parameter estimation of tumor by thermography

Derivation of accurate correlation between surface thermal image and interior physiology is an important factor in non-invasive thermal diagnostics, which require general solution for the bioheat equations. In this study an estimation methodology is presented to determine unknown thermophysical or geometrical parameters of tumor using skin temperature profile that may be obtained by infrared thermography. Multiphysics numerical simulation was used to solve the inverse problem incorporating the Pennes´ bioheat equation with suitable boundary conditions in two-dimensional case. Then, the pattern search algorithm was used to estimate the different parameters by minimizing a fitness function involving the temperature profiles obtained from simulated or clinical data to those obtained by numerical simulation efforts.