Performance study of dual heart assisted control system based on SL-SMC physiological combination controller

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Control Systems

Background:

• Biventricular assist devices (BiVAD) face challenges in balancing systemic blood flow and preventing ventricular suction in patients with biventricular heart failure.
• Maintaining hemodynamic stability during physiological activity changes is critical for BiVAD efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel physiological combination controller for the Biventricular Circulatory System (BCS).
• To assess the controller's effectiveness in managing hemodynamic parameters and preventing ventricular suction under various physiological conditions.

Main Methods:

• A Biventricular Circulatory System (BCS) model was constructed.
• A physiological combination controller integrating Starling-Like and Sliding Mode Control (SL-SMC) principles was designed.
• Simulations were performed for elevated pulmonary artery resistance and resting-exercise scenarios, comparing SL-SMC with constant speed (CS) and Starling-like and PI control (SL-PI).

Main Results:

• The SL-SMC controller demonstrated effectiveness in preventing ventricular suction.
• The SL-SMC controller provided higher cardiac output and maintained better balance of systemic blood flow.
• The SL-SMC controller exhibited superior response speed and robustness during simulated physiological state changes.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Starling-like and Sliding Mode Control (SL-SMC) physiological combination controller is a promising approach for BiVAD systems.
• SL-SMC enhances hemodynamic stability, improves cardiac output, and ensures robustness in BiVAD patients with biventricular heart failure.