A linked oscillator model of electrical activity of human small intestine

Abstract

The electrical slow-wave activity of the human small intestine has been simulated by a chain of 64 coupled electronic relaxation oscillators. The model simulates the frequency gradient of recorded patoentials in the human small intestine and when transected, behaves in a similar way to the transected canine small intestine. The model exhibits a spontaneous effect whereby several adjacent oscillators periodically are in the same state. This effect travels down the model in the time of 20-30 min.