VirRespir—an application for virtual pneumonological experimentation and clinical training

Abstract

Computer models are a useful tool in research and education. They have a particular value in medicine and biology due to legal and ethical restrictions. Considering the above, a general-purpose virtual patient (ViP) has been developed in the Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering to be used for various kinds of simulations, both in analyses of cardio-respiratory problems and staff training, including distal e-learning. ViP is a system of mutually cooperating models, the main of which are models of the respiratory system mechanics, pulmonary circulation, and gas transfer and exchange. The VirRespir system containing ViP was developed in the form of a web application accessible from http://virrespir.ibib.waw.pl/ to enable other users to use it in their works. Although there are several complex models of the cardiovascular system, their pulmonary part is usually simplified in comparison with the other parts. Therefore the end-user of VirRespir has two options: he/she either can use VirRespir with an embedded simple model the heart and systemic circulation or can unite ViP and own complex model. The latter is a unique feature and may be very useful for scientists being experts in cardiovascular modeling but not familiar with pulmonary issues.