A model of multicomponent cardiac fibre.
In order to simulate the contraction of a cardiac myofibre, a multicomponent fibre model has been developed. This model is composed of a series of segments which are activated in succession. Each segment is represented by the Hill's three component model of the sarcomere. The contractile element behaviour is described by the Huxley's theory and the time dependence agrees with the activation factor proposed by Julian for skeletal muscle, and modified by Wong for cardiac muscle. The two elastic elements have non-linear exponential characteristics. The isometric contraction of the multicomponent fibre has been simulated by means of a computer program. The results show the tension generated by the fibre, the propagation of the contraction along the fibre and the different contribution of each segment depending on its position inside the fibre.
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium; D012518:Sarcomeres