Preliminary Study on Interactive Control for the Artificial Myocardium by Shape Memory Alloy Fibre

Abstract

The authors have been developing a sophisticated artificial myocardium for the treatment of heart failure, which is capable of supporting contractile function from the outside of the ventricle. The purpose of this study was to construct the control methodology of functional assistance by an artificial myocardium using small active mechanical elements composed of shape memory alloy fibres (Biometal). In order to achieve a sophisticated mechanical support by using shape memory alloy fibres, the diameter of which was 100 microns, the mechanical response of the myocardial assist device unit was examined by using PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control method. Prior to the evaluation of dynamic characteristics, the relationship between strain and electric resistance of the shape memory alloy fibre and also the inditial response of each unit were obtained in the electrical bridge circuit. The component for the PID control was designed for the regulation of the myocardial contractile function. An originally-designed RISC microcomputer was employed and the input or output signals were controlled by pulse width modulation method in respect of displacement controls. Consequently, the optimal PID parameters were confirmed and the fibrous displacement was successfully regulated under the different heat transfer conditions simulating internal body temperature as well as bias tensile loading. Then it was indicated that this control methodology could be useful for more sophisticated ventricular passive or active restraint by using the artificial myocardium on physiological demand interactively.KeywordsArtificial myocardiumshape memory alloyfibrePID controldynamic characteristics