An extended bidomain framework incorporating multiple cell types.
The muscular layers within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract contain two distinct cell types, the interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells, which together produce rhythmic depolarizations known as slow waves. The bidomain model of tissue-level electrical activity consists of single intracellular and extracellular domains separated by an intervening membrane at all points in space and is therefore unable to adequately describe the presence of two distinct cell types in its conventional form. Here, an extension to the bidomain framework is presented whereby multiple interconnected cell types can be incorporated. Although the derivation is focused on the interactions of the interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells, the conceptual framework can be more generally applied. Simulations demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed model are also presented.
Buist
Martin L
ML
Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore. biebml@nus.edu.sg
Poh
Yong Cheng
YC
D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology*; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000166:cytology*; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*