Cardiovascular Biomechanics and Ultrasound Laboratory
Imperial College London, Department of bioengineering

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	Machine Learning Cardiovascular Biomechanics To bring biomechanics research to the next level, we are currently developing deep learning algorithms that can quickly generate results of flow simulations and cardiac finite element simulations, and algorithms to extract cardiac motions and strains from images quickly, automatically, and accurately. These tools can accelerate the adoption of biomechanical analysis in clinical practices to enhance disease detection, evaluation and prognosis. Use these links below for details. Deep Learning Image Registration and Biomechanics Simulations Improving Echocardiography Heart Function Evaluation Echocardiography evaluation of heart function is widely performed, and is important for diagnosis and to determine if interventions should be performed. However, many current heart function parameters have shortcomings, and we have proposed ways improvements: - the Ejection Fraction (EF) parameter is widely used to evaluate cardiac health, but it is a poor indicator when the heart undergoes geometric remodelling during disease. We proposed a correction for EF to resolve this, and showed that our new corrected paramaeter have stronger prognosis capabilities for rehospitalization. - in fetal echocardiography, strain measurements in the literature have widely varying results, and lack precision. We performed careful measurements of 2D versus 3D cardiac strains from echocardiography, and show the essential reasons for their disagreement, and point out factors that potentially cause the variability. - Microscopy demonstrated that the myocardium has microscopic sheetlet structures, and it is hypothesized that sheetlet sliding is important to cardiac function. We showed via simulations that sheetlet sliding is some effects on function in the normal heart, but the effects are amplified in hypertrophic hearts. Use these links below for details. Advancements to Heart Function Evaluation Effects of Sheetlet Sliding on Heart Function Biomechanics of the Human Fetal Heart and Fetal Heart Intervention Biomechanical stimuli are important stimuli for proper fetal heart development, but we understand very little of it. The biomechanical environment of the fetal heart, its growth and remodelling in response to abnormalities, and the mechanobiological mechanism responsible for malformations are all not well-understood. Abnormalities during mid-gestation that disrupts the normal biomechanical environment can lead to congenital heart malformations. In some such cases, catheter-based intervention on the fetal heart can correct the abnormalities to prevent the malformation at birth. There is much room for such interventions to improve, and biomechanics modelling can help such an effort. We use a range of techniques to study the fetal heart and fetal heart intervention, including fetal echocardiography image processing, computational fluid dynamics simulations, and finite element modelling of myocardial mechanics. Use these links below for details. Image Processing of Fetal Heart Echo Image-based Simulations of Fetal Heart Biomechanics Fluid Mechanics of Aortic Valvuloplasty Fetal Heart Intervention Embryonic Heart Biomechanics The embryonic heart is the first organ to develop. It undergoes a fascinating developmental process, starting out as a simple tube and develops into a 4-chamber structure by week 8 of gestation, and sustaining a tremendous amount of growth and highly dynamic remodelling. We hypothesize that mechanical forces are important stimuli to proper early cardiac development, seek to understand the biomechanics of embryonic hearts of both normal small animal embryos and those of animal embryonic models of congenital malformations, as well as understand the mechanobiological pathways towards these malformations. We use advanced techniques of image-processing and image-based simulations to obtain greater details in our studies. Use these links below for details. Chick Embryonic Heart Biomechanics Zebrafish Embryonic Heart Biomechanics Materials Technology Towards a Blood Pump with Low Blood Damage Blood pumps save countless lives every day, and include the implanted type (LVAD), those in the ICU (ECMO), and those in the surgical suite (heart-lung machine). However, they impose high stresses on blood and induce foreign surface reactions to cause thrombosis, and thromboembolic complications. We pursue various strategies and technologies to attain a blood pump with low blood damage. For example, we fabricate superhydrophobic and superhemophobic surfaces to enable slip flow in blood pump surfaces to reduce stresses, we seek new ways of pumping blood, such as using electro-active polymers and utilizing resonance in roller pumping. Use this link below for details. Advanced Materials for Blood Pumps Superhydrophobic Hemostatic Materials Technology Traditional hemostatic devices rely on absorbing blood to bring about clotting and hemostasis. We recently discovered that a nanofibrous superhydrophobic material provides an alternative and excellent approach towards hemostasis. The material is strongly repellent towards blood, and easily prevents blood loss, which is the #1 reason for death in serious injuries. However, the nanofibers can still cause fast clotting to bring about fast hemostasis. Since the material did not wet while blood clots, blood is only connected to the path via nano-contacts after clotting, and this enables extremely easy detachment of the patch from the wound. Finally, the material is also repellent to microbial attachment and thus has natural antimicrobial properties. We are currently enhancing this technology, and pursuing commercialization. Use this link below for details. Superhydrophobic Hemostatic Technology Placenta and Placenta Disease Biomechanics The placenta is an important organ during pregnancy, whose health has great short- and long-term impact on the health of both the mother and the child. Pregnancy diseases such as Intrauterine Growth Restriction have surprisingly high prevalence and consequent mortality and morbidity, even in developed countries, and there is no proven method to prevent or treat the disease. We advocate that biomechanical approach to studying the placenta can provide new insights that can lead to better detection, diagnosis, and even treatment. Examples of our approach include mechanical testing and constitutive modelling on normal and diseased human placenta samples, investigating the use of elastography to detect placenta diseases, and image-based biomechanics simulations on placenta and umbilical blood vessels in health and disease. Use this link below for details. Placenta Biomechanics
	Collaborations We are very collaborative in our work. If you have questions about our work, or if we can help you in your research work, please feel free to contact us.