Research in Heart Biomechanics

    One of my long standing research interests is the biomechanical characterization of soft tissue structures that have the capability to perform different functions. The vertebrate heart is a structure made of muscle and connective tissues that dynamically varies its pumping output in ways that current artificial hearts cannot duplicate. Thus, with Dr. K. Nishikawa and Dr. S. Nichols, we're approaching the biomechanics and activation patterns of the pumping heart as a dynamic flexible soft tissue structure.

artificial heart

The Abiocor artificial heart. Can we build an artificial heart that functions more like the natural one?

Project Areas