Modeling of force development in the human heart with a cellular automaton parameterized by numerical simulations

Models of the human heart are introduced which describe the anatomy, electrical excitation propagation and force development. The anatomical models were constructed with methods of digital image processing based on photographic images delivered by the Visible Human Project, National Library of Medicine, USA. Cardiac excitation propagation, cellular electrophysiology and force development are modeled with a cellular automaton. A parameterization of the cellular automaton is performed by mathematical models at the cellular level based on differential equations. Appropriate models of electrophysiology, force development and excitation propagation are chosen subject to the tissue types. The models are applied to simulate electrical and mechanical processes in the heart.