On coupling cellular automata based activation and finite element muscle model applied to heart ventricle modelling

摘要

The paper deals with the finite element macroscopic model of contracting myocardium. The constitutive model of the tissue is based on the theory of mixtures, involving a simple model of intramyocardial blood perfusion. Anisotropy of the tissue is described in terms of preferential directions of the muscle and connective fibres. A simple Hill-type model of the muscle fibre contraction is employed. The local value of the activation parameter is defined through the four phases of the action potential wave; its propagation is simulated using the cellular automaton (CA). The approximated excitable medium, which comprises the conducting system, is partitioned into the normal, conducting and void cells. The coupling of the CA analysis with the FEM model of the heart mechanics is discussed. Introductory numerical examples are included, describing contraction of the dog heart.