This text presents a general introduction to soft tissue biomechanics. One of its primary goals is to introduce basic analytical, experimental and computational methods. In doing so, it enables readers to gain a relatively complete understanding of the biomechanics of the heart and vasculature.

The objective of this book is to illustrate in specific detail how cardiovascular mechanics stands as a common pillar supporting such different clinical successes as drugs for high blood pressure, prosthetic heart valves and coronary artery bypass grafting, among others. This information is conveyed through a comprehensive treatment of the overarching principles and theories that are behind mechanobiological processes, aortic and arterial mechanics, atherosclerosis, blood and microcirculation, hear valve mechanics, as well as medical devices and drugs. Examines all major theoretical and practical aspects of mechanical forces related to the cardiovascular system. Discusses a unique coverage of mechanical changes related to an aging cardiovascular system. Provides an overview of experimental methods in cardiovascular mechanics. Written by world-class researchers from Canada, the US and EU. Extensive references are provided at the end of each chapter to enhance further study. Michel R. Labrosse is the founder of the Cardiovascular Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Ottawa, where he is a full professor within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has been an active researcher in academia along with being heavily associated with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He has authored or co-authored over 90 refereed communications, and supervised or co-supervised over 40 graduate students and post-docs.

Bringing together the world's leading researchers and practitioners of computational mechanics, these new volumes meet and build on the eight key challenges for research and development in computational mechanics.Researchers have recently identified eight critical research tasks facing the field of computational mechanics. These tasks have come about because it appears possible to reach a new level of mathematical modelling and numerical solution that will lead to a much deeper understanding of nature and to great improvements in engineering design.The eight tasks are: - The automatic solution of mathematical models - Effective numerical schemes for fluid flows - The development of an effective mesh-free numerical solution method - The development of numerical procedures for multiphysics problems - The development of numerical procedures for multiscale problems - The modelling of uncertainties - The analysis of complete life cycles of systems - Education - teaching sound engineering and scientific judgement Readers of Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics 2003 will be able to apply the combined experience of many of the world's leading researchers to their own research needs. Those in academic environments will gain a better insight into the needs and constraints of the industries they are involved with; those in industry will gain a competitive advantage by gaining insight into the cutting edge research being carried out by colleagues in academia. Features - Bridges the gap between academic researchers and practitioners in industry - Outlines the eight main challenges facing Research and Design in Computational mechanics and offers new insights into the shifting the research agenda - Provides a vision of how strong, basic and exciting education at university can be harmonized with life-long learning to obtain maximum value from the new powerful tools of analysis

Image-Based Computational Modeling of the Human Circulatory and Pulmonary Systems provides an overview of the current modeling methods and applications enhancing interventional treatments and computer-aided surgery. A detailed description of the techniques behind image acquisition, processing and three-dimensional reconstruction are included. Techniques for the computational simulation of solid and fluid mechanics and structure interaction are also discussed, in addition to various cardiovascular and pulmonary applications. Engineers and researchers involved with image processing and computational modeling of human organ systems will find this a valuable reference.

Computational Cardiovascular Mechanics provides a cohesive guide to creating mathematical models for the mechanics of diseased hearts to simulate the effects of current treatments for heart failure. Clearly organized in a two part structure, this volume discusses various areas of computational modeling of cardiovascular mechanics (finite element modeling of ventricular mechanics, fluid dynamics) in addition to a description an analysis of the current applications used (solid FE modeling, CFD). Edited by experts in the field, researchers involved with biomedical and mechanical engineering will find Computational Cardiovascular Mechanics a valuable reference.

The Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics documents both the traditional techniques as well as the new methods for experimental studies of materials, components, and structures. The emergence of new materials and new disciplines, together with the escalating use of on- and off-line computers for rapid data processing and the combined use of experimental and numerical techniques have greatly expanded the capabilities of experimental mechanics. New exciting topics are included on biological materials, MEMS and NEMS, nanoindentation, digital photomechanics, photoacoustic characterization, and atomic force microscopy in experimental solid mechanics. Presenting complete instructions to various areas of experimental solid mechanics, guidance to detailed expositions in important references, and a description of state-of-the-art applications in important technical areas, this thoroughly revised and updated edition is an excellent reference to a widespread academic, industrial, and professional engineering audience.

Availability of advanced computational technology has fundamentally altered the investigative paradigm in the field of biomechanics. Armed with sophisticated computational tools, researchers are seeking answers to fundamental questions by exploring complex biomechanical phenomena at the molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels. The computational armamentarium includes such diverse tools as the ab initio quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics methods at the atomistic scales and the finite element, boundary element, meshfree as well as immersed boundary and lattice-Boltzmann methods at the continuum scales. Multiscale methods that link various scales are also being developed. While most applications require forward analysis, e.g., finding deformations and stresses as a result of loading, others involve determination of constitutive parameters based on tissue imaging and inverse analysis. This book provides a glimpse of the diverse and important roles that modern computational technology is playing in various areas of biomechanics including biofluids and mass transfer, cardiovascular mechanics, musculoskeletal mechanics, soft tissue mechanics, and biomolecular mechanics.

The purpose of the book is to bring the two disciplines - vascular mechanics and pathology - together. In addition, the book bridges the gap in our knowledge and enhances engineering applications in medicine. This cutting-edge work presents the use of veins as arterial grafts and discusses the role of vein valves in graft stenosis. The book illustrates aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture, using pressure vessel principles. This new work details the investigation of, amongst other topics, aortic dissection, showing for the first time that the aortic root mechanics plays a vital role in the development of this pathology.

This book offers a comprehensive and timely overview of the latest developments in the field of biomechanics and extensive knowledge of tissue structure, function, and modeling. Gathering chapters written by authoritative scientists, it reports on a range of continuum and computational models of solids, and related experimental works, for biomechanical applications. It discusses cutting-edge advances such as constitutive modeling and computational simulation of biological tissues and organs under physiological and pathological conditions, and their mechanical characterization. It covers innovative studies on arteries, heart, valvular tissue, and thrombus, brain tumor, muscle, liver, kidney, and stomach, among others. Written in honor of Professor Gerhard A. Holzapfel, the book provides specialized readers with a thorough and timely overview of different types of modeling in biomechanics, and current knowledge about biological structures and function.

This book describes the fundamental biology and mechanics of the vasculature and examines how this knowledge has underpinned the development of new clinical modalities, including endovascular treatment and vascularization of reconstructed tissue for regenerative medicine. Vascular engineering is a multidisciplinary field integrating vascular biology, hemodynamics, biomechanics, tissue engineering, and medicine. Each chapter offers insights into the dynamics of the circulatory system and explains how the impact of related disease conditions — atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and cerebral infarction — has generated a focus on developing expertise to both maintain and treat the vascular system. As a comprehensive book in this expanding area, Vascular Engineering serves as a valuable resource for clinicians as well as academics and professionals working in biophysics, biomedical engineering, and nano and microrheology. Graduate students in these subject areas will also find this volume insightful.