Finite Element Model for Parametrization of Adipose Tissue Thickness to Assess Near-Infrared Beam Penetration: A First Approach

In this study, we aim to determine the critical adipose tissue thickness at which the infrared beam of near-infrared spectroscopy is absorbed at 50% in a multi-tissue model through a parametric study in COMSOL Multiphysics, with adipose tissue thickness ranging from 1 to 50 mm. Additionally, the critical thickness is related to body fat percentage (BFP) in both men and women. The findings provide valuable insights into the limitations of NIRS for detecting physiological parameters across different tissue compositions, helping to identify suitable candidates for NIRS-based studies based on their fat percentage.