An Energy-Optimal Methodology for Synchronization of Excitable Media

We propose a novel energy-optimal methodology to synchronize the cells within an excitable medium during spiral wave activity. The optimal stimulus takes the cells of an excitable medium to a target set where the isostables of the system, which measure the time it takes for a given initial condition in phase space to approach a stable fixed point, are diffuse, thereby synchronizing the activity of the medium. This method is illustrated for a FitzHugh–Nagumo-based model which captures important characteristics of the myocardium and represents a significant first step in the development of energyoptimal defibrillation strategies.