Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human Body
Human body is similar to a highly complex engineering system. Hence it can be modeled as such. Following that idea, a Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human Body was proposed by us. Some details about the model format are described here.
Our aim is to describe the modeling method as an engineering system.
A technical paper was presented and is now an ASME paper. Here is the reference
http://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=2602063&resultClick=1
Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human BodySomayajulu D. Karamchetty
[+-] Author Affiliations
Somayajulu D. Karamchetty
Technology Consultant, Potomac, MD
Paper No. IMECE2016-66253, pp. V003T04A060; 6 pages
doi:10.1115/IMECE2016-66253
From:
· ASME 2016 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
· Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering
· Phoenix, Arizona, USA, November 11–17, 2016
· Conference Sponsors: ASME
· ISBN: 978-0-7918-5053-4
· Copyright © 2016 by ASME
[…]
Our aim is to describe the modeling method as an engineering system.
A technical paper was presented and is now an ASME paper. Here is the reference
http://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=2602063&resultClick=1
Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human BodySomayajulu D. Karamchetty
[+-] Author Affiliations
Somayajulu D. Karamchetty
Technology Consultant, Potomac, MD
Paper No. IMECE2016-66253, pp. V003T04A060; 6 pages
doi:10.1115/IMECE2016-66253
From:
· ASME 2016 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
· Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering
· Phoenix, Arizona, USA, November 11–17, 2016
· Conference Sponsors: ASME
· ISBN: 978-0-7918-5053-4
· Copyright © 2016 by ASME
[…]
Here is the Abstract
ABSTRACT
Engineers and scientists are able to understand and analyze the behavior of complex engineering systems in a wide range of critical technologies through hierarchical modeling followed by simulation of the model operation. This process results in a high fidelity integrated model as each level in the hierarchy is modeled in sufficient detail.
The overall objective of this effort is to develop a sophisticated hierarchical model of the human body, followed by simulation of the model operation. In this initial research phase, the feasibility of the concept is explored and a framework for the model is described. A six-level model consisting of the whole body as a system, system of systems, organs, tissues, cells, and molecules is proposed and described. This paper explains that the human body is amenable to such hierarchical modeling and describes the benefits that can be achieved.
The systems in the body deal with numerous processes: electrical, chemical, biochemical, energy conversion, transportation, pumping, sensing, communications, and so on. Control volume models for the organs in the body capture the mass and energy balance and chemical reactions. Tissue can be represented similar to structural components made of various biomaterials. Cells can be represented as a manufacturing and maintenance workforce assisted by molecular reactions.
Following the representation of a healthy body, simulation runs by inserting faults and/or deficiencies in the operational parameters into the model could reveal the causes for specific diseases and illnesses. Such modeling and simulation will benefit medical, pharmaceutical, nutritional specialists, and engineers in designing, developing, and delivering products and services to enable humans to lead healthy lives.
Engineers and scientists are able to understand and analyze the behavior of complex engineering systems in a wide range of critical technologies through hierarchical modeling followed by simulation of the model operation. This process results in a high fidelity integrated model as each level in the hierarchy is modeled in sufficient detail.
The overall objective of this effort is to develop a sophisticated hierarchical model of the human body, followed by simulation of the model operation. In this initial research phase, the feasibility of the concept is explored and a framework for the model is described. A six-level model consisting of the whole body as a system, system of systems, organs, tissues, cells, and molecules is proposed and described. This paper explains that the human body is amenable to such hierarchical modeling and describes the benefits that can be achieved.
The systems in the body deal with numerous processes: electrical, chemical, biochemical, energy conversion, transportation, pumping, sensing, communications, and so on. Control volume models for the organs in the body capture the mass and energy balance and chemical reactions. Tissue can be represented similar to structural components made of various biomaterials. Cells can be represented as a manufacturing and maintenance workforce assisted by molecular reactions.
Following the representation of a healthy body, simulation runs by inserting faults and/or deficiencies in the operational parameters into the model could reveal the causes for specific diseases and illnesses. Such modeling and simulation will benefit medical, pharmaceutical, nutritional specialists, and engineers in designing, developing, and delivering products and services to enable humans to lead healthy lives.
I will be glad to send a presentation and discuss further with interested researchers.
Please do contact me.
Some Engineering Interpretations of Certain Phenomena in the Human Body
Please note that I am neither a medical doctor nor a bio-scientist. I am an engineer. Hence these interpretations and explanations are just my thoughts from an engineering point of view. Please do not consider this as advise. However, it is worthwhile exploring these ideas as research projects by the medical and biomedical communities.
Here are a few thoughts.
Here are a few thoughts.
Engineering Fatigue of Components in the Human Body
What is Fatigue in Engineering?
When an engineering component is subjected to alternative stresses, it fails after a certain number of cycles of such alternative stresses. Usual example given is that of a green stick bent back and forth a number of times and it breaks.
Fatigue occurs in a number of engineering components. Take the example of a rotor in a gas turbine. After several thousand cycles of alternating stresses on the rotor, it breaks. The number of cycles it can withstand is called the fatigue life. By melting a failed turbine rotor and manufacturing it, the new rotor gains full life.
Fatigue of components in the Human body:
In the case of a human body also, many components, are subjected to alternate stresses. Bones are a case in point. Many tissues in the body are also in such a situation.
The same phenomenon (rebuilding of tissues in components along with fatigue) appears to be happening in the human body, however, with a significant difference.
The human body is also a maintenance and manufacturing system. The cells in the body work in the growth of tissues. They are responsible for the growth of the organs. There appear to be three stages: Rapid growth, growth compensating the decline due to wear and tear, and no growth. It means that the cells are constantly renewing the organs and thus their fatigue life is renewed during the first two phases. In the third stage, when there is no further growth buy only deterioration of the tissues, fatigue life starts. From that point on, a certain fatigue life can be assumed for the component. Thus, as humans become old, their bones and other components are subjected to a certain fatigue life.
Human heart is another interesting example. The tissues that make up the walls of the heart are alternatively compressed and relaxed. It induces alternating stresses. Young heart tissue, perhaps, rebuilds constantly, giving it new life. As we age, the rebuilding may be stopping and the counter on the fatigue life starts.
It is worthwhile investigating this phenomenon.
When an engineering component is subjected to alternative stresses, it fails after a certain number of cycles of such alternative stresses. Usual example given is that of a green stick bent back and forth a number of times and it breaks.
Fatigue occurs in a number of engineering components. Take the example of a rotor in a gas turbine. After several thousand cycles of alternating stresses on the rotor, it breaks. The number of cycles it can withstand is called the fatigue life. By melting a failed turbine rotor and manufacturing it, the new rotor gains full life.
Fatigue of components in the Human body:
In the case of a human body also, many components, are subjected to alternate stresses. Bones are a case in point. Many tissues in the body are also in such a situation.
The same phenomenon (rebuilding of tissues in components along with fatigue) appears to be happening in the human body, however, with a significant difference.
The human body is also a maintenance and manufacturing system. The cells in the body work in the growth of tissues. They are responsible for the growth of the organs. There appear to be three stages: Rapid growth, growth compensating the decline due to wear and tear, and no growth. It means that the cells are constantly renewing the organs and thus their fatigue life is renewed during the first two phases. In the third stage, when there is no further growth buy only deterioration of the tissues, fatigue life starts. From that point on, a certain fatigue life can be assumed for the component. Thus, as humans become old, their bones and other components are subjected to a certain fatigue life.
Human heart is another interesting example. The tissues that make up the walls of the heart are alternatively compressed and relaxed. It induces alternating stresses. Young heart tissue, perhaps, rebuilds constantly, giving it new life. As we age, the rebuilding may be stopping and the counter on the fatigue life starts.
It is worthwhile investigating this phenomenon.
Functioning of the Digestive Track and Hunger
Food consumed by a human is forced down through the digestive system by the action of muscles. Here is an engineering model (this is my guess). Imagine a flexible tube somewhat similar to that in a cake frosting bag or a tooth paste tube. The bag or tube is held at some point and squeezed to move the substance down. In a similar manner, the muscles make sure that the food moves only in one direction.
It is very likely that the muscles develop a memory and apply a certain amount of pressure to move the food on its way. They are constantly looking for the arrival of food and to force it through.
When there is little food in the tubes (and other containers) that make up the digestive system, the muscles have to apply greater force to do the squeezing. It increases the stress on the tissues that make up the walls of the tubes. When there is very little in the tubes, the stresses are large and the tissues send a signal as pain. When there is no food at all in the tube, the force exerted in the squeezing and the resulting stresses in the tissue is sensed as hunger pain.
The opposite is also true.
When a person eats a large quantity of food (especially hard food) the tubes are full and the muscles encounter resistance only after a small squeeze.
When the consistency of the food is too hard or too soft relative to what the muscles are used to, they send some signal reflecting the corresponding stress.
When gas is present along with the solid liquid mixture in the tubes, the squeezing compresses the gas rather than causing motion of the mass. This is reflected as pain during the bloating of the stomach due to gas.
The biological medical science explanation for hunger pain is that a certain chemical is produced that communicates to the brain as hunger pain.
It is very likely that the muscles develop a memory and apply a certain amount of pressure to move the food on its way. They are constantly looking for the arrival of food and to force it through.
When there is little food in the tubes (and other containers) that make up the digestive system, the muscles have to apply greater force to do the squeezing. It increases the stress on the tissues that make up the walls of the tubes. When there is very little in the tubes, the stresses are large and the tissues send a signal as pain. When there is no food at all in the tube, the force exerted in the squeezing and the resulting stresses in the tissue is sensed as hunger pain.
The opposite is also true.
When a person eats a large quantity of food (especially hard food) the tubes are full and the muscles encounter resistance only after a small squeeze.
When the consistency of the food is too hard or too soft relative to what the muscles are used to, they send some signal reflecting the corresponding stress.
When gas is present along with the solid liquid mixture in the tubes, the squeezing compresses the gas rather than causing motion of the mass. This is reflected as pain during the bloating of the stomach due to gas.
The biological medical science explanation for hunger pain is that a certain chemical is produced that communicates to the brain as hunger pain.
Engineering Model for Obesity
Here is an engineering model for Obesity. This model is my guess and is not based on any scientific experiments.
It is generally suggested that the muscles that we use most grow well. Athletes are asked to exercise certain muscles so that they grow and get stronger. They get used to certain motions and perhaps tolerate higher level of stress on the corresponding tissues. This growth of certain muscles and tissues appear to be true for singers, dancers, speakers, and many others in their respective professions. Wise people suggest that we should allow our brains to exercise well during childhood! During childhood, if certain muscles and tissues are trained, they get used to certain specific patterns.
We may apply that logic to the digestive system. During childhood, if a child consumes a fuller meal, the corresponding muscles and tissues are exercised, and the tissues asks for more nourishment and the cells help them grow. A child may initially feel a little heavy (in the stomach), but over a few days and weeks, they get used to the heavier meal. The result is that the digestive system grows larger relative to other organs and systems in the body. The digestive system also tolerates pain. In a sense, it is programmed to take more food. It is likely that the other components that aid in the absorption and transmission of the nutrients and non-nutrients also grow in proportion.
Once a certain level of consumption of food is established, the digestive system does not like when lesser amounts are ingested. They complain it as hunger. In order to satisfy that hunger, the child would consume more and feel satisfied and comfortable.
Depending on the components (fats and carbohydrates versus proteins) of the food consumed, the resulting chemicals will build muscles or store fat. Other parts of the body that are forced to store fats, will oblige and grow. Again, initially, they may find some discomfort (just as a long distance runner finds it uncomfortable to run longer distances initially) but eventually, they get used to the growth and storage.
I hope biotechnology and biomedical scientists will test this model.
It is generally suggested that the muscles that we use most grow well. Athletes are asked to exercise certain muscles so that they grow and get stronger. They get used to certain motions and perhaps tolerate higher level of stress on the corresponding tissues. This growth of certain muscles and tissues appear to be true for singers, dancers, speakers, and many others in their respective professions. Wise people suggest that we should allow our brains to exercise well during childhood! During childhood, if certain muscles and tissues are trained, they get used to certain specific patterns.
We may apply that logic to the digestive system. During childhood, if a child consumes a fuller meal, the corresponding muscles and tissues are exercised, and the tissues asks for more nourishment and the cells help them grow. A child may initially feel a little heavy (in the stomach), but over a few days and weeks, they get used to the heavier meal. The result is that the digestive system grows larger relative to other organs and systems in the body. The digestive system also tolerates pain. In a sense, it is programmed to take more food. It is likely that the other components that aid in the absorption and transmission of the nutrients and non-nutrients also grow in proportion.
Once a certain level of consumption of food is established, the digestive system does not like when lesser amounts are ingested. They complain it as hunger. In order to satisfy that hunger, the child would consume more and feel satisfied and comfortable.
Depending on the components (fats and carbohydrates versus proteins) of the food consumed, the resulting chemicals will build muscles or store fat. Other parts of the body that are forced to store fats, will oblige and grow. Again, initially, they may find some discomfort (just as a long distance runner finds it uncomfortable to run longer distances initially) but eventually, they get used to the growth and storage.
I hope biotechnology and biomedical scientists will test this model.