Originally Published EMDM January/February 2002
INDUSTRY NEWS
Research Centre Links Engineers and Life Scientists |
| Peter McHugh, a research director at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science in Galway, examines a biomodel of a human skull segment created on the centre's rapid prototyping machine. |
Established as an interdisciplinary research centre to link clinicians, life scientists, and engineers, the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science is located at the National University of Ireland in Galway.
Peter McHugh, one of the centre's research directors, explains that the centre was set up two years ago with [19.68 million in funding from the Irish Higher Education Authority. The purpose of the research centre is to explore fundamental questions in biology, medicine, and clinical treatment within an interdisciplinary framework. "Our focus makes us unique in Ireland," says McHugh.
The centre includes biologists, physicists, and mechanical engineers such as McHugh. Current research is expected to benefit applications in the cardiovascular and orthopaedic fields. "We've been able to make links with local surgeons in these areas," he says, "and we've been pleased to see that we have a similar pragmatic approach in common with them."
Looking to the future, McHugh is hopeful that such an interdisciplinary approach to research will help scientists create predictive models of the human body. "We want to bridge the gap between engineering and the life sciences," he says. "For example, we're interested in learning how engineers and biologists can work together to understand the physical stresses that cells undergo in fluid environments, and how cells respond to such stimuli."
In one project, researchers at the centre are working on using biomodels produced via rapid prototyping to create custom implants. Much of the centre's work focusses on computer modelling, says McHugh. "We've done lots of work to carry out the mechanical validation of angioplastic catheters via computer simulations," he notes, adding, "if we could produce a good enough computer model for catheter insertion, it would be a wonderfully flexible design tool." Another project under way at the centre seeks to establish a predictive model for the stress-strain and failure behaviour of stainless steel used for stents. To carry out its simulations, the centre is equipped with Ireland's most powerful supercomputer.
Emphasizing that his group is eager to establish relations with the device sector, McHugh says, "We're very keen to link with industry, as they're at the cold face making these devices." He explains that cooperation with manufacturers can take several forms: companies can present the centre with specific problems that they want solved, or they can partner with the centre in research projects. "We also see ourselves as a service, if they want a job done," says McHugh, citing the centre's ]7.6-million bioscience facilities, which include advanced equipment for microscopy, electrophoresis, and mechanical testing.
The centre has already engaged in significant cooperation with local device manufacturers, as both a service provider and a research facility. Such work has focussed on minimally invasive devices for cardiovascular applications.
For more information, contact Peter McHugh at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, phone: +353 91 750490; fax: +353 91 563991; e-mail: peter.mchugh@nuigalway.ie; Internet: www.ucg.ie/ncbes.
Benjamin Lichtman
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
