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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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"Cardiovascular Biomechanics: Engineering and Medicine Joining Forces"
Morten Jensen, Ph.D.
Senior Research Engineer and Adjunct Associate Professor
Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Tech and Emory University
Seminar will be made available via videoconference in the Health Sciences Research Building, room E 160 and Technology Enterprise Park, room 104.
Increased biomechanical understanding of the cardiovascular system provides a rational platform for innovative intervention techniques. This talk will describe past and future development of procedures and devices designed to enhance cardiovascular intervention, particularly in the area of cardiac and vascular valves.
One of the most complex cardiac structures working under the highest loads is the mitral valve apparatus. Improving our understanding of the biomechanics of this valve requires a detailed research strategy covering valve dynamics, tissue properties, and loading schemes. Achievements in this field thus far will be outlined, and future directions explored especially in terms of guiding surgical repair of this valve which is uniformly favored over replacement in almost all mitral valve disease pathologies requiring intervention.
The acquired methods and technologies for cardiac valve investigations can be translated further to the vascular system, where venous valves are operating under much lower pressures and flows. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when venous valves in the lower limbs are not working effectively, and accumulation of blood may result in various problems such as venous leg ulcers and deep venous thrombosis. No device has yet been successful in providing a minimally invasive catheter based solution to the surgeon. Experience with novel tissue engineering concepts and delivery technologies are promising avenues of device development in this field.
In both the cardiac and vascular system, intervention advantages are contingent upon competent procedures and devices. Increasing durability requires diligent restoration and support of the original functionality and re-establishing the natural biomechanics of the system. The tight collaboration between engineering and medicine is undoubtedly the key to long-term success in various cardiovascular pathologies.
Faculty Host: John Oshinski, Ph.D.
