Computer simulation of cardiac muscle based on contraction and relaxation experiments

Abstract

The object of this study is to simulate the mechanical properties ofcardiac muscle for both contraction and relaxation phases with acomputerized simulation technique. Mechanical representation is needed inorder to describe the mechanical properties of cardiac muscle. Themechanical model introduced in this study is based on the Hill'sthree-element model. While the elastic elements of the model arewell-defined by stress-strain characteristics, contractile element can not beuniquely defined. So that, the representation of contractile element isrequired. Predefined representation of contractile element with a non-linearviscous damper and displacement generator in series, is used for simulationof contracting muscle and, the model is modified in order to simulate themechanical properties of relaxing cardiac muscle. Proposed modification iselaborated by disregarding the displacement generator, which depends onthe cardiac muscle intrinsic characteristic of returning back to the initialconditions after contraction.Simulations of both contraction and relaxation phases of cardiacmuscle are based on the performed and published experiments. Mechanicalproperties of contraction and relaxation processes are studied and the activestate concept is also analyzed in terms of the simulated results.