Originally Published EMDM September 2002
MEDTEC IRELAND 2002
Fluid Dynamics Offers Insight into Implants |
| Timothy McGloughlin, director of the biomedical engineering research center at the University of Limerick, will lead a session on cardiovascular implants at MEDTEC Ireland. |
Timothy McGloughlin, assistant dean of health sciences research and director of the biomedical engineering research centre at the University of Limerick, will lead a conference session at MEDTEC Ireland titled "Cardiovascular Implants: Fluid Mechanics and Biomechanical Compatibility."
"Permanent implants for use in the cardiovascular system need to have a range of properties in order to function correctly," says McGloughlin. He points out that in addition to biocompatibility, such devices also need to ensure a nonthrombogenic response, promote endothelization, have sufficient mechanical strength to resist fluid forces, and promote accelerated healing.
Addressing current challenges in cardiovascular medicine, McGloughlin cites "the development of compliant materials that can more accurately simulate the physiological behaviour of vessels and the development of novel materials that promote tissue regeneration." Although research into such materials is at an early stage, McGloughlin notes that his studies focus on synthetic and tissue-engineered polymers.
In his presentation, McGloughlin will touch on the use of experimental and computational modelling to improve prediction of the behaviour of cardiovascular implant devices. Techniques such as laser Doppler anemometry and computational fluid dynamics will be described. "Computational modelling offers early evaluation of flow conditions, as well as an assessment of these flow forces on an implanted device and an assessment of the influence of device geometry on flow behaviour," says McGloughlin, noting that computational modelling can also reduce the use of animal trials.
This will be McGloughlin's first year leading a conference at MEDTEC Ireland, and he says he is eager to meet with fellow academics and industry leaders who are bullish on the Emerald Isle. "Ireland is a great location for the biomedical industry—it has an excellent, well-educated workforce; it's a great place to live; and it is now beginning to develop an advanced research infrastructure to support biomedical and bioscience companies," he says, citing the HEA Programme for Reseach in Third Level Institutions, the organizations Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, and the Health Research Board programme.
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
