Estimation of parameters in compartmental models of internal contamination

The theory of Kalman filtering is applied to the estimation of relevant parameters in compartmental models. Applications deal with the simulation of retained activities in preferred organs after ingestion. The technique was tested for a simple model of radioiodine kinetics in man. This model is assumed to be valid for the purpose of the analysis. The accuracy of Kalman Filters has been established as adequate for its practical application. Using some measured variable, such as iodine activity in urinary excretion rate or iodine activity in the thyroid, as data, it is possible to calculate intercompartmental transfer rates, the variation of the intake rate with time or some other parameter of interest. (author)