A System for Image Based Finite Element Modeling of Novel Defibrillation Strategies

Recent development and dissemination of effective and highly automated devices for internal and external defibrillation have impacted the prognosis of sudden cardiac arrest. Evidence for the efficacy and safety and energy dosing of defibrillating devices is based largely on clinical experience in adults, but children and patients with congenital heart disease may have issues of body size and/or cardiac anatomy that may affect the delivery of electric fields to the heart. Finite element modeling may be used in these patients to simulate the effects of standard and novel defibrillation strategies. We present a system designed to allow rapid prototyping of highly-refined finite element models from anatomical images for the study of defibrillation of such patients for the purposes of procedural planning of defibrillation strategies, along with results from exemplary patients. In addition to providing a novel tool for cardiologists caring for these patient groups, this technology will be of significant value to those developing innovative defibrillator designs for patients of more standard body habitus, as well as to those interested in studying the bioelectric properties of the thorax for other applications.