Design of a fuzzy controller for the automation of an extracorporeal support system with the use of a simulation environment

The automation of a portable extracorporeal support system may greatly help people who suffer from cardiogenic shock by providing them with an optimal oxygen perfusion and avoid mult-organ failure while being transported to a hospital. This however requires the creation of tools that help in the design of the ideal controller. In this paper a simulation environment is described were a cardiovascular model from the ISR Physiome database was used together with a model of a portable extracorporeal support system. Additionally a model of an oxygenator/blender model is introduced to allow the simulation of oxygen perfusion. Fuzzy controlling was used for automation since it allows a straightforward implementation of expert knowledge. Through the simulation environment different scenarios may be created where intensive testing is possible and constant repetition for control optimization. Initial simulation results are given of the fuzzy controller adjusting the extracorporeal flow rate and oxygen administration for a case of low cardiac output.