Phenomenological-Based Model of Tanks with Hyperelastic Walls Connected in Series

Abstract

This work presents a model for flow dynamics in stirred tanks with elastic walls, where fluids behave similarly as they do in human organs. By modeling such behaviour, it is possible to describe and simulate physiological events accurately. The model is applied to describe the movement of chyme, also called gastric mass, through the small intestine, using Fung model to characterize the intestinal walls. The analogy with elastic tanks makes it possible to reliably calculate transit time, and with the addition of digestion and absorption kinetics, the model would be useful to estimate the rate of appearance of substances (e.g. glucose, drugs) into the bloodstream after oral ingestion. The model is phenomenological-based, which makes it possible and simple to adapt it to other particular situations, and even different organs with similar elastic characteristics. Its phenomenological nature also implies parameter interpretability, property specially useful in physiological models.