Biomechanics & Medical Devices

The emerging field of soft robotics, which incorporates unconventional or compliant materials in autonomous systems, has simultaneously reshaped traditional robotics applications and introduced new use cases for robots. However, many useful classes of materials remain relatively unexplored, and furthermore, the vast majority of soft robotics research has targeted actuation and sensing, with power and control schemes often relying on bulky, rigid electronic components. My research program addresses open questions in these domains by applying our expertise in energy, fluids, and materials.

Many forms of cardiopulmonary disease require interventions with a vascular component. The biomechanical environment prior to intervention can have implications for the success of a procedure, and the post-intervention hemodynamics can lead to long-term pulmonary remodeling that exacerbates the risk for future complications.  In this talk, I will discuss our work using computational fluid dynamics to predict the success of mechanical thrombectomy in acute pulmonary embolism patients and the resulting biomechanical environment with lung transplant in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The synergy between advances in medical imaging and simulation methodologies, including multiscale and multiphysics models of cardiovascular function, data-driven models, and machine learning, is enabling computational modeling as an indispensable tool for studying cardiovascular biomechanics in health and disease, which remains the leading cause of worldwide deaths (1 in 3). In this talk, I will present our recent work leveraging these advances for developing personalized models of cardiac mechanics, particularly for a biventricle and the left atrium.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both males and females, yet our mechanistic knowledge of the sex-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms that guide cardiovascular disease progression, particularly in females, remain poorly characterized.

The emergence of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies has introduced a transformative avenue for uncovering the intricacies underlying human development, disease, and tissue homeostasis.

Cardiovascular diseases such as ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA) and the clinical challenges of congenital heart defects call for a deeper understanding of the biomechanical and biological mechanisms underlying vascular growth and remodeling (G&R). This presentation introduces a multiscale, multiphysics modeling framework that combines computational simulations, medical imaging, and in vivo data to investigate biofluidic and geometric biomarkers linked to ATAA progression in genetically modified mouse models.

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) struggle to maneuver in cluttered or unpredictable environments. In contrast, birds regularly accomplish an impressive array of in-flight transitions, from maneuvering through cities, evading predators or gliding in gusty conditions. Birds rapidly adapt and maneuver in these variable flight conditions by actively or passively adjusting their wing or tail shape in flight, known as morphing. In this talk, I will discuss how avian morphing enhances flight maneuverability and adaptability.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of birth defects. Chromosomal aneuploidy (incorrect copy number) accounts for nearly 10% of CHD cases; however, the mechanisms that link incorrect chromosome copy number to malformations in heart development are poorly understood. Here, I present our recent work integrating human stem cell and mouse models of Down Syndrome to understand how increased dosage of cardiogenic genes impact heart development.

Finite element models provide a valuable tool for studying disease progression, risk of tissue failure, or repair strategies. To date, many models for biological tissues employ hyperelastic material descriptions with material properties that have no direct physical interpretation.

While aging and estrogen deficiency following menopause are major contributors to the occurrence of osteoporosis and an increase in fracture risk, other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension also favor bone fragility.