SCHSim: A Simulator of Elastic Arterial Vessels Using Windkessel Models

Abstract

The use of simulators that represent characteristics of the physiological system has great utility for students and researchers in the medical field since they allow a better understanding of the dynamics in this complex system. These simulators are also an important tool for performing “in-silico” experiments, which aim to visualize the body’s response to new drugs and treatments. In this context, we present SCHSim, a computational tool with didactic purposes, that mimics the basic behavior of elastic arterial vessels by means of equivalent electrical circuits based on Windkessel models. SCHSim allows the user to interact with the model by changing some parameters of the system: heart rate, peripheral resistance, arterial compliance and blood inertia. As a result, it is possible to visualize graphs referring to the behavior of blood pressure and blood flow, thus demonstrating the dynamics in this type of system. SCHSim has, in addition to the simulation elements, didactic tools, with information about Human Circulatory System (HCS) theory and instructions for using the software. Through these tools, it is expected that the simulator can be used by students in the basic physiology of (HSC) teaching.