Real-Time ECG Simulation for Hybrid Mock Circulatory Loops.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Electrophysiology

Background:

• Traditional mock circulatory loops lack electrophysiological simulation capabilities.
• Integrating electrical activity modeling with mechanical circulation simulation is crucial for advanced medical device development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a real-time electrical activity model of the heart.
• To integrate this model into a mock circulatory loop for in vitro simulation.
• To enable real-time simulation of electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered medical systems.

Main Methods:

• Developed a real-time electrical activity model incorporating a conduction pathway and volume conductor.
• Solved bidomain equations and the forward problem of electrocardiography for ECG simulation.
• Utilized Prim's algorithm and hybrid automata for simulating cardiac conduction and action potentials.

Main Results:

• Achieved real-time physiological simulation of the ECG at arbitrary electrode positions.
• Successfully integrated the electrical model into a hybrid mock circulatory loop.
• Verified the model's performance with an ECG-triggered ventricular assist device control.

Conclusions:

• The developed model allows for cost- and time-efficient in vitro testing of ECG-triggered medical devices.
• The model can be adapted to simulate various cardiac pathologies.
• This approach facilitates hardware-in-the-loop testing for medical device development in ECG-triggered scenarios.