IMPLEMENTATION OF A DYNAMIC AND EXTENSIBLE MECHANICAL VENTILATOR MODEL FOR REAL-TIME PHYSIOLOGICAL SIMULATION.

We have designed and implemented a generic virtual mechanical ventilator model into the open-source Pulse Physiology Engine for real-time medical simulation. The universal data model is uniquely designed to apply all modes of ventilation and allow for modification of the fluid mechanics circuit parameters. The ventilator methodology provides a connection to the existing Pulse respiratory system for spontaneous breathing and gas/aerosol substance transport.

Computational simulation to assess patient safety of uncompensated COVID-19 two-patient ventilator sharing using the Pulse Physiology Engine.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is stretching medical resources internationally, sometimes creating ventilator shortages that complicate clinical and ethical situations. The possibility of needing to ventilate multiple patients with a single ventilator raises patient health and safety concerns in addition to clinical conditions needing treatment. Wherever ventilators are employed, additional tubing and splitting adaptors may be available.

Parameterization of Respiratory Physiology and Pathophysiology for Real-Time Simulation.

We have refactored the Pulse Physiology Engine respiratory software with enhanced parameterization for improved simulation functionality and results. Realistic patient variability can be applied using discretized lumped-parameters that define lung volumes, compliances, and resistances. A new sigmoid compliance waveform helps meet validation of compartment pressures, flows, volumes, and substance values.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling in BioGears.

Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics models were designed and integrated into the BioGears® physiology engine to address the need for real time drug effects for varying patients and injury profiles. Ten drugs were validated using experimental and subject matter expert data. The plasma concentration curves had a good fit with experimental data and 48 of 50 physiologic parameters displayed a less than 10% error compared to the validation data.