Computer aided design of closed-loop controllers for biomedical applications

A description is given of the use of simulated annealing to optimize closed-loop control designs for biomedical applications. Computer-aided optimization is crucial to the search for useful controllers since many parameters must be chosen to optimize typical controllers. Computerized design tools will permit evaluation of whole classes of algorithms and greatly assist in understanding whether performance problems are due to the basic architecture of an algorithm (e.g. self-tuning PID) or to poor choice of controller parameters. An algorithm is described which is currently running on the UCSD CRAY and on SUN 47260 workstations. The authors have completed design of a robust optimal control and are currently studying a self-tuning regulator and fuzzy controller, all initial examples of the technique based on the problem of arterial blood pressure control with sodium nitroprusside. The real promise of the technique is associated with more complex drug controllers.<>