This course is scheduled for the second quarter of the fall (Lp2) with a course syllabus.

The main course webpage will be Canvas. Please refer to the course Canvas page for the latest course information.

Personnel & Instructors

The lectures are given by Kristian Soltesz (kristian.soltesz@control.lth.se).

Seminars are given by Frida Heskebeck (frida.heskebeck@control.lth.se).

Problem solving sessions and grading of homework assignments are given by Ylva Wahlquist, (ylva.wahlquist@control.lth.se) and Frida Heskebeck.

Other

Mathematics review to help you prepare for the course (highly recommended).

A Matlab tutorial - Control Toolbox

Modeling basics in Simulink

Download Matlab as LTH-student

Collection of common results and formulae in control (Sw. Formelsamling i reglerteknik)

Official Course Syllabus

General Information

Main field: Technology Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: BME3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The course aims to introduce important topics, concepts, and methods within physiological modeling. The focus is on dynamic systems in physiology and how these can be described, simulated, and analyzed using system models based on differential equations.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• have an understanding of dynamic physiological processes and identify their occurrence in different organ systems;
• have an understanding of the relevance, strength and limitations of dynamic models of physiological systems;
• know how different types of differential equation-based models can be used to describe, simulate and analyze physical processes;
• have an understanding of how the seemingly different physiological systems that are considered fit well into the modeling framework that is built up during the course.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to decompose modeling problems into smaller subproblems;
• be able to make basic quantitative analysis of various physiological systems, including both unit analysis and plausibility analysis of the model's time scale and the size of internal states and signals;
• be able to make use of physiological modeling knowledge in simulations;
• be able to apply physiological modeling in order to judge the relevance of different medical engineering solutions.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to interpret and discuss information from medical literature;
• develop the ability to communicate with healthcare professionals about physiological modeling and technical systems.

Contents

• Physiological complexity: statics, equilibrium, homeostasis, dynamics, simulation.
• Modeling: dynamic systems, differential equations, linear dynamics, transfer functions, compartment models.
• Linear dynamics: linearization of nonlinear dynamics, state-space form, transfer functions, time and frequency response, circuit equivalents, block diagrams.
• Simulation: ODE solvers, implementation of simulation models in software.
• Modeling and measurement data.
• Examples of physiological systems that occur in the course: Enzyme dynamics: Michalis Menten kinetics. Pharmacokinetics: compartment models. Biomechanics: constitutive models. Dynamics of the respiratory system and blood vessel dynamics: Windkessel models.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: 

Written exam. Mandatory quiz. Work in groups with oral presentation. Project work in groups with written report and oral presentation. In the case of less than 5 registered students, the retake exams may be given in oral form.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0124. Name: Physiological Models and Computations. 
Credits: 4.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Passed exam
Code: 0224. Name: Hand-in. 
Credits: 0.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Passed hand-in
Code: 0324. Name: Project. 
Credits: 1.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Written report and oral presentation
Code: 0424. Name: Quiz. 
Credits: 0.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Passed quiz

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: FMAB45/50/60 Calculus in One Variable A1/A2/A3, FMAB20 Linear Algebra and BMEA05 Signals and Systems.
The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• Kristian Soltesz: Dynamical Modeling of Physiology. Open Books at Lund University, 2024, ISBN: 978-91-8104-018-0. Exercises and a collection of formulae will be available as free of charge pdfs for students following the course.
  https://doi.org/10.37852/oblu.258

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Kristian Soltesz, kristian.soltesz@control.lth.se