Modeling Transient Thermal Analysis of PPG Devices on the Wrist

Photoplethysmography (PPG), is a cost-effective, non-invasive optical technique commonly used for physiological measurements on the skin's surface. It has been widely applied in wearable heart rate sensors found in commercially available smart bands. This study will present an automated transient thermal analysis of this model using system coupling. The analysis demonstrates the temperature variations on the human body exposed to a continuous light source at multiple time steps. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the safety of optical medical devices in direct contact with the skin, ensuring they minimize the risk of burns and other potential harm.

About the presenter
Sara Karami is a senior application engineer with the Ansys Optics team, specializing in technical support for aerospace & defense (A&D), high-tech, and healthcare applications. She holds a master’s degree in photonics from McGill University and brings over eleven years of industry experience in optics.

With a well-rounded skill set across the full suite of Ansys optics tools, Karami is highly proficient in optical system design, optimization, and system level simulation. Her current focus—and passion—is on developing and automating Multiphysics workflows to enable comprehensive system studies under a wide range of environmental conditions.