Title: Impact of decentralised control in cerebral blood flow auto-regulation using 1D and 3D models

Authors: K.T. Moorhead, S.M. Moore, J.G. Chase, T. David, J. Fink

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract: The Circle of Willis is a ring-like structure of blood vessels in the brain that distributes blood to the cerebral mass. One-dimensional (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics models have been created to simulate clinical scenarios, such as stenoses and occlusions in afferent arteries. Models capture cerebral auto-regulation using a Proportional-Integral controller to maintain optimal efferent flowrates for a given circle geometry and afferent blood pressure. Decentralised control specifies that after an afferent artery occlusion, efferent flux profiles fluctuate to find an equilibrium that best satisfies the independent requirements of each territory. Clinically, this insight into the transient dynamics of auto-regulation will enable pre-surgical scenario testing to minimise stroke risk.

Keywords: Circle of Willis; cerebral haemodynamics; computational model; auto-regulation; transient dynamics; PI controller; decentralised control; cerebral blood flow; CFD; computational fluid dynamics; biomechatronics; bioengineering; simulation; stroke risk.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2005.007309

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2005 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.95 - 110

Published online: 05 Jul 2005 *

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