Analysis of the performance achievable with a PIDD2α controller for depth of hypnosis in total intravenous anesthesia

In this paper we use a population-based approach to design a fractional-order Proportional-Integral-Double-Derivative (PIDD2α) controller for Depth-of-Hypnosis (DoH) in general anesthesia. In particular, we consider the control problem of achieving and keeping the bispectral index (BIS) at the required value by manipulating the infusion rate of the propofol drug. The performance of the controller is then analyzed and compared with that achieved with a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative-Acceleration (PIDA) controller. Results show that, with the considered design methodology, the improvement obtained by using a fractional-order double-derivative action is marginal and does not justify the increment of the complexity in the controller implementation.