Modeling a healthy and a person with heart failure conditions using the object-oriented modeling environment Dymola

• Published in: Medical & biological engineering & computing Vol. 53; no. 10; pp. 1049 - 1068
• Main Authors: Heinke, Stefanie, Pereira, Carina, Leonhardt, Steffen, Walter, Marian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Biosensors; Blood pressure; Carbon dioxide; Cardiovascular system; Communication; Computer Applications; Computer Simulation; Failure; Heart; Heart - physiology; Heart - physiopathology; Heart failure; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Heart-Assist Devices; Heat; Human body; Human Physiology; Humans; Imaging; Mathematical models; Medical; Medical equipment; Models, Cardiovascular; Object oriented; Object-oriented programming; Original Article; Physiology; Radiology; Respiratory system; Simulation; Studies; User-Computer Interface; Veins & arteries; Germany; Cardiovascular system; Thermoregulation; Respiratory system; Ventricular assist device; Object-oriented modeling
• ISSN: 0140-0118; 1741-0444; 1741-0444
• DOI: 10.1007/s11517-015-1384-6

Several mathematical models of different physiological systems are spread through literature. They serve as tools which improve the understanding of (patho-) physiological processes, may help to meet clinical decisions and can even enhance medical therapies. These models are typically implemented in a signal-flow-oriented simulation environment and focus on the behavior of one specific subsystem. Neglecting other physiological subsystems and using a technical description of the physiology hinders the exchange with and acceptance of clinicians. By contrast, this paper presents a new model implemented in a physical, object-oriented modeling environment which includes the cardiovascular, respiratory and thermoregulatory system. Simulation results for a healthy subject at rest and at the onset of exercise are given, showing the validity of the model. Finally, simulation results showing the interaction of the cardiovascular system with a ventricular assist device in case of heart failure are presented showing the flexibility and mightiness of the model and the simulation environment. Thus, we present a new model including three important physiological systems and one medical device implemented in an innovative simulation environment.