A model for mass diffusion in infarcted tissues by using LBM

In the present study, a new mathematical model for mass transfer in extra-vascular space is presented to indicate the effect of dead cells in infarcted tissues. This model is useful for predicting the results of experiments which are designed to distinguish normal from infarcted tissues and it can be used to approximate the percent of damaged cells in the infarcted tissue. The increase of permeability due to existence of dead cells caused by infarction is modeled as a sink term. The present model is validated for two different solutes by comparing their results with the existing experimental data. It is shown that the presented model is an appropriate model for simulating mass transfer in tissues. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the model to the effective diffusion coefficient, Schmidt number, porosity and Damkohler number is examined. The simulations show that permeability of dead cells significantly affects the volume of the contrast agent in the infarcted tissue. The results also indicate that the Schmidt number not only affects the mass diffusion through damaged tissues, but also influences the partition coefficient. The other parameters mentioned above have effects on the amount of mass diffusion into the infarcted tissue when the extent of damage in tissues is changed.