Methods and tools for object-oriented modelling and knowledge-based simulation of complex biomedical systems

Abstract: An environment for interactive knowledge-based simulation was developed. Theenvironment known as KBSIM integrates quantitative continuous model simulationwith rule-based expert system reasoning techniques with relational databasemanagement technology under the control of a user interface management system.An application of the KBSIM environment to fluid resuscitation of patients intrauma was built. The application called FLUIDTHERAPY specifies, stores,integrates and uses the medical and clinical knowledge about physiology of traumapatients, heuristics of fluid resuscitation of such patients, and the requirements ofapplication users.A new Object-Oriented Biomedical System Modelling Language (OOBSML) wasdeveloped. Besides the traditional differential and algebraic equation expressions, thelanguage includes also formal expressions for defining model quantity types andquantity units. It supports explicit definition of model input, output and statevariables, and components. The OOBSML model compiler produces independentexecutable model components that can be used within other OOBSML models. Thisway it is possible to structure the complex models as multilevel, multi-componentmodel hierarchies.