Hemodynamics deals with blood flow and its interaction with vascular biology.
It is closely related to cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, which are leading causes
of death in the United States.
Not only does the study of hemodynamics and vascular biomechanics help to elucidate the pathogenesis of
these diseases, but it also plays a critical role in the development of novel treatments, especially endovascular interventions as an
alternative to surgery. The current focus of the Hemodynamics Lab is on the treatment of stroke and cerebral aneurysms in collaboration with
neurosurgeons and scientists at Toshiba Stroke Research Center (TSRC) on the UB south campus. We apply state-of-the-art engineering tools such as Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) developed at the Laser Flow Diagnostics Lab, in conjunction with modern medical imaging modalities such
as Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), Computerized Tomography Angiography (CTA) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Both in vitro and in vivo
studies are conducted.
Hemodynamic Intervention of Cerebral Aneurysms
Current treatments of intracranial aneurysms fall in two classes: surgical clipping and endovascular intervention. Surgical clipping involves opening the skull and hence carries with it high rates of
morbidity and mortality. Endovascular treatments involve delivery of balloons, liquid embolics, coils, stents, or a combination of them via micro-catheters through the arteries to the site of the aneurysm to
achieve occlusion of aneurysms from inside. They are becoming more commonly used since they are less invasive, enable the clinicians to gain better access to more aneurysms, and subject the patient to less
risk.
Endovascular interventions modify the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysms by modifying the blood flow and subsequent biological responses. We investigate the hemodynamic changes brought forth by such
interventions and their effects on the vasculature by performing in vivo experiments on animal models and in vitro simulations using CFD and laser flow diagnostics techniques. The goal is to develop less
invasive, more effective treatment modalities.
Aneurysm Rupture Mechanisms
Intracranial aneurysms are a form of cerebrovascular disease characterized by the ballooning of an arterial wall. If left untreated, it may
expand until it ruptures, causing subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unfortunately, the majority of cerebral
aneurysms are asymptomatic, leading to the questions of how and when to effectively treat them.
Understanding the mechanisms of aneurysm rupture is essential to risk assessment and effective
treatment.
Behavior of Angiographic Flow
Most vascular interventions are assisted using radiographic visual guidance, namely Digital Subtraction Angiography, accomplished through the
injection of a radio-opaque contrast media into the artery. Understanding the correlation between the visualized angiogrphic contrast media flow and the actual blood flow is critical to proper clinical
interpretation and decision.
Biocompatible Liquid Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysms
In the searchfor new endovascular aneurysm treatment paradigms that are safer and more effective, we are building on
the advancements in biomaterials for wound healing to develop a biocompatible liquid embolic treatment
method. Our research is based on the hypothesis that using natural components to embolize the aneurysm,
the biocompatible embolic will block blood flow from entering the aneurysm sac while encouraging
integration and healing of the vessel wall. The goal of this embolization is to completely occlude the
aneurysm from the blood flow. Both in vitro and in vivo tests are carried out in this project.
Imaged-based Patient-Specific Blood Flow Modeling
To enable clinicians to make scientifically sound clinical decisions on diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases, we need
to develop anatomically realistic patient-specific models. Using computerized image processing,
scientific visualization and CFD that are based on a patient’s medical images and other data, a realistic model of the three-dimensional vessel geometry and the blood flow field can be built for each
patient. The computational model can further incorporate various “virtual interventions” to predict the hemodynamic and biological response, thus helping to assess risk and recommend the most effective
treatment. When the whole process is streamlined from imaging to 3D reconstruction to CFD simulations to analysis, its impact in improving human health will be tremendous.
BIOMATERIALS, MEDICAL DEVICES, AND IMPLANTS
The platform technology for producing functional engineering structures in wet, salty, biochemically active circumstances—from heart valves, to hip prostheses, to heat transfer units for food pasteurization—is safe and effective use of "biomaterials."
Research challenges range from establishing secure and stable underwater adhesion, to preventing that adhesion in order to limit biomaterials-centered infections and surface fouling on biocompatible polymers,
ceramics and metals, and their composites.
Faculty
R. E. Baier
A. E. Meyer
MUSCULOSKELETAL BIOMECHANICS
Musculoskeletal biomechanics research addresses the need for repairing, realigning, reinforcing, and replacing body structures, such as bones, ligaments, tendons,
and joints, that have been damaged by injury or disease. Basic to the field is the understanding of the properties and interactions of these structures in both normal and altered conditions. Close collaboration of engineering and
medical investigators is essential. The Biomechanics Laboratory on the UB South Campus houses testing equipment, including an axial/torsional servohydraulic machine, as well as ultrasound and strain gauge apparatus.
Radiographic equipment, as well as cadaver and animal surgical facilities, are nearby; Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning are also available.
The Vertebrate Analyzer - A Toolkit for Biomechanical Analysis and Simulation
The long term goal of the project is to study the hunting habits of extinct animals by constructing biomechanically
accurate constrained models under known and estimated conditions, and thereby test the hypothesis relating to form, function and behavior.
BIOMEDICAL SIMULATION AND VISUALIZATION
Recent advances in modeling and simulation of biomechanical systems are being applied in medicine to improve the process of training for and
planning medical procedures. Soft-tissue modeling, flow simulation, image-guided procedures, and 3-D imaging are some of the broad areas of research at UB.
These simulations have the advantage of low cost and repeatability; in addition, they decrease learning time while
reducing error for medical students and practitioners.
Virtual Surgery Simulators
Development of virtual simulators is a first step toward building systems that can be used by medical students, as well as by professionals, to
practice and experiment with virtual human beings. Virtual reality computer software and the wide array of hardware
at the Virtual Reality Lab are currently being used for various research topics in this area. Virtual abdomen, haptics
atlas, and virtual intubation simulators are some of the recent projects in this field.
Development of VR Hardware for Medical Applications
Research is also under way to develop a hardware interface for medical diagnosis and simulation. A virtual data glove invented at
UB helps physicians to collect soft-tissue properties during the palpation procedure. Invention of such haptic
devices is of special interest in this project.
University at Buffalo: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
