Predictive adaptive control of unconsciousness - exploiting remifentanil as an accessible disturbance

The problem of controlling the level of unconsciousness measured by the BIS index of patients under anesthesia, is considered. It is assumed that the manipulated variable is the administration rate of propofol, while remifentanil is also administered for analgesia. Since these two drugs interact, the administration rate of remifentanil is considered as an accessible disturbance. A predictive adaptive controller structure that explores this fact is proposed and illustrated by means of simulation.