Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human Body - Abstract

     Medical research has been striving to help humans to lead a disease-free life. In the recent past, by applying advanced technology, scientists have been discovering basic building blocks of the human body and new techniques to make us healthy.

     Some phenomena in the body interested me as they are essentially engineering processes. After thinking about such processes, I felt that the human body can be modeled as an engineering system and simulations using such a model can help medical researchers and practitioners.

     I wrote a long paper and sent it to several medical and engineering researchers suggesting that they should lead the development of such a model. I am hopeful that some group would launch such pioneering work. Here, I am placing my long paper on the Blog. I divided the paper into a series of short sections so that it is easier for me to post and for readers to view. I hope you enjoy reading it and send me your comments.

Hierarchical Engineering Model of the Human Body [1]

- A Suggestion -

Som Karamchetty, PHD

Abstract

     Through modeling and simulation, engineers understand the behavior of complex engineering systems, such as air & space systems, chemical refineries, nuclear plants, high performance computers, and autonomous robots. They divide a complex system into several hierarchical levels; each level is modeled in sufficient detail by engineers and scientists well-versed in those disciplines; and an integrated model is realized. Such modeling approach can be applied to the human body. A representative model would have six levels: the whole body as a system, system of systems in the body, organs, tissues, cells, and molecules. We can identify several systems in the body that deal with energy conversion and storage, transportation, pumping, electrical, chemical, biochemical, sensing, communications, and so on. Digestive system is the body’s typical energy system with inputs of food and conversion of food into intermediate forms that are readily used by the muscles to generate mechanical energy, forces, and moments to enable various internal functions as well as external activities of humans. The circulation system, the respiratory system, and a number of other systems are similar to transportation systems that move various materials from their sources to destinations.

    Following the engineering practice, faults can be inserted into models and the behavior of the body studied to see if certain known and unknown diseases can be modeled and simulated. Ultimately, such modeling will assist the medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional specialists to provide humans with healthy living and appropriate healthcare when they fall ill.

Full Blog is here.

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[1] Humans are spiritual and highly intelligent beings. The suggestion to develop an engineering model of the human body is not an attempt at trivializing the amazing capabilities of humans and the bodies. The functioning of the body is very complex. But we can start with the engineering functionality to begin to understand and explain how the body does the extraordinary actions.