Minimal experimental requirements for structural identifiability in linear compartmental models. The software 'IDEXMIN'.

Identifiability is a structural property of compartmental systems and is of a great interest in the pharmacokinetic field. Preliminary testing for identifiability, independent of the detailed experimental data but based on the model used and the experimental schedule, enables the researcher to design precise and straightforward experiments which will lead to the structural identifiability of the system. A computer program for PC (denoted IDEXMIN) has been designed in order to test for identifiability in any n compartment system and, in the case of non-identifiability, to define the minimal experimental data required to enable the model to be identifiable. All identifiability calculations are based on the K matrix of Delforge. Commandability and controllability of a system are verified before testing for identifiability.