Defining a volume of threshold value with Prolog [torso model-defibrillation application]

Abstract

Three-dimensional finite element torso models are widely used to simulate defibrillation field quantities such as the voltage, potential, gradient, and current density. These quantities are computed at spatial nodes that comprise the torso model. These spatial nodes typically number between 10/sup 5/ and 10/sup 6/ in magnitude making visualization and comprehension of torso defibrillation model output difficult. Thus, the objective of this study is to display a subset of the geometric model of the torso where the nodal information associated with the geometry of the model meets a specified threshold value (e.g. minimum gradient). The study is implemented with a SWI Prolog interpreter that is used to aid in the correlation between the coordinate, structural, and nodal databases of the torso model. Prolog is used to develop new methods for sorting, collecting and optimizing data from defibrillation simulations in a human torso model based on declarative queries.