Dalin Tang¹, Chun Yang^1,2, Tal Geva^3,4, Glenn Gaudette⁴, and Pedro J. del Nido⁵

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.56, No.2, pp. 113-130, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.056.113

Abstract Right and left ventricle (RV/LV) combination models with three different patch materials (Dacron scaffold, treated pericardium, and contracting myocardium), two-layer construction, fiber orientation, and active anisotropic material properties were introduced to evaluate the effects of patch materials on RV function. A material-stiffening approach was used to model active heart contraction. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed to acquire patient-specific ventricular geometries and cardiac motion from a patient with severe RV dilatation due to pulmonary regurgitation needing RV remodeling and pulmonary valve replacement operation. Computational models were constructed and solved to obtain RV stroke volume, ejection fraction, patch area variations,… More >

Marcello Lappa¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.2, pp. 141-152, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.141

Abstract Numerical simulations and computer-graphics animation can be used as useful tools to discern the physicochemical environmental factors affecting the surface kinetics of growing biological tissues as well as their relative importance in determining growth. A mathematical formalism for such kinetics is proposed through parametric investigation and validated through focused comparison with experimental results. The study relies on the application of a CFD moving boundary (Volume of Fluid) method specially conceived for the simulation of these problems. In the second part of the analysis the case of two samples hydrodynamically interacting in a rotating bioreactor is considered. The interplay between two… More >

Milica Radisic^1,2, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 1-16, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.001

Abstract To engineer cardiac tissue in vitro with properties approaching those of native tissue, it is necessary to reproduce many of the conditions found in vivo. In particular, cell density must be sufficiently high to enable contractility, which implies a three-dimensional culture with a sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply. In this review, hydrogels and scaffolds that support high cell densities are examined followed by a discussion on the utility of scaffold perfusion to satisfy high oxygen demand of cardiomyocytes and an overview of new bioreactors developed in our laboratory to accomplish this task more simply. More >