Past Event: Oden Institute Seminar

Computational Modeling Tools for Cardiovascular Disease Research, Surgical Planning and Diagnostics

C. Alberto Figueroa, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Vascular Surgery, University of Michigan

Abstract

Advances in numerical methods and three-dimensional imaging techniques have enabled the quantification of cardiovascular mechanics in subject-specific anatomic and physiologic models. Research efforts have been focused mainly on the following areas: i) pathogenesis of vascular disease, ii) development of medical devices, and iii) virtual surgical planning. However, despite great initial promise, the actual use of patient-specific computer modelling in the clinic has been very limited. Clinical diagnosis still relies on traditional methods based on imaging and invasive measurements. The same invasive trial-and-error paradigm is often seen in vascular disease research, where animal models are used profusely to quantify simple metrics that could perhaps be evaluated via non-invasive computer modelling techniques. Lastly, medical device manufacturers rely mostly on in-vitro models to investigate the anatomic variations, arterial deformations, and biomechanical forces needed for the design of medical devices. Our laboratory has been developing an integrated image-based computer modelling framework for subject-specific cardiovascular simulation (CRIMSON) that can successfully bridge the gap between the research world and the clinic. The main features of the CRIMSON simulation environment are: i) A parallel blood flow solver with FSI and Multi-scale formulations for boundary conditions. ii) A modern GUI for medical image data segmentation based on the Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit (MITK). iii) Libraries for automatic estimation of parameters required for boundary and material parameter specification. These parameter estimation routines are based on Kalman-filtering theory. iv) Routines to enable the automatic simulation of transitional cardiovascular stages. These routines mimic the action of key cardiovascular functions such as the baroreflex, and local auto-regulations such as those in the coronary and cerebral circulations. v) Routines for automatic parameter estimation using filtering In this talk, we will provide an overview of key current research areas in our group, including theory and applications, as well as the future vision to bring the use of computational tools to the clinic, specifically in the areas of diagnostics and surgical planning. Bio Dr. Figueroa received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, where he developed computational methods fluid structure interaction simulation of hemodynamics. His first academic appointment was a King’s College London in the UK, where he was Senior Lecturer in the Division of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences. Dr. Figueroa is currently the Edward B. Diethrich M.D. Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Vascular Surgery at the University of Michigan. His laboratory is focused on three main areas: 1) developing tools for advanced modeling of blood flow. His group develops the modeling software CRIMSON (www.crimson.software); 2) studying the link between abnormal biomechanical stimuli and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and thrombosis; 3) simulation-based surgical planning to aid with the optimal planning of cardiovascular surgeries.