Engineers are able to understand the
behavior of complex engineering systems, such as air & space systems,
chemical refineries, nuclear plants, and high performance computers, through
modeling and simulation. 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.
A hierarchical engineering model of
the human body [1] is suggested in a white paper by this author. Such a model would have
six levels: the whole body as a system, system of systems in the body, organs,
tissues, cells, and molecules. In order to implement the engineering modeling
method, we first identify several systems in the body that deal with energy,
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. Again, like in an engineering system, as the materials
are moved from one location to another, several mechanical transformations and
chemical reactions occur. Hence, thermodynamic systems analyses are applied at
each level. Just as we do with engineering components, mechanical and material
analyses and modeling of various components and tissues in the body can be
done.
It is the author’s view that engineering modeling of the human body will throw light on various functions of a normally healthy body and may explain a variety of illnesses and diseases.
Following the engineering practice, faults can be inserted into the 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 great healthcare when they fall ill.
The author suggests the development of a hierarchical model of the human body as such a model will lead to greater understanding of the healthy human and likely causes for diseases. It will lead to far reaching benefits to the medical and engineering fields
It is the author’s view that engineering modeling of the human body will throw light on various functions of a normally healthy body and may explain a variety of illnesses and diseases.
Following the engineering practice, faults can be inserted into the 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 great healthcare when they fall ill.
The author suggests the development of a hierarchical model of the human body as such a model will lead to greater understanding of the healthy human and likely causes for diseases. It will lead to far reaching benefits to the medical and engineering fields
The full blog is here.
[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.
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