At the Vascular Biomechanics and Biofluids Laboratory (VBBL) we investigate the dynamics of blood flow and its relationship with disease. During the past two decades, biofluid mechanics has become appreciated by researchers in medicine and biology as a key factor in the cause of arterial disease and the regulation of haemostasis in normal and diseased blood vessels. The ability to model biological flow systems experimentally and numerically is now an important component to fundamental research of vascular disease. It is of great interest to both clinical researchers and bioengineers to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of flow-induced parameters in arterial geometries under diverse flow conditions. Image-based modeling techniques and numerical methods can provide quantification of flow and structural variables for select regions of interest. With the continuous improvement of computer architecture and the development of sophisticated modeling tools, one can envision large-scale computational solutions of a multiphysics problem being used by physicians as diagnostic tools in the future.

The current research projects at VBBL can be broadly classified in the areas of (1) computational biomechanics and (2) design and optimization of medical devices. The vision set forth for future research at VBBL is based on the development of image-based computational modeling tools that can be readily utilized in a clinical setting to analyze and plan surgical and endovascular interventions in a timely manner. In this regard, it will be necessary to quantify relationships between vascular biology, structure, and biomechanical forces, as well as design simulation tools based on in vivo imaging techniques to quantify interactions between medical devices and the vessel wall. The ultimate goal of this research is to optimize the treatment options of vascular diseases and design better medical devices for these options.

For a brief description of the current research projects at VBBL, please navigate to the "Project Description" section of each of the lab members' homepages.