Build up on the significant amount of CFD modelling of small blood vessels after microsurgical free-flap reconstruction has been carried out in the John Tyndall Institute which has produced informative idealized models of small arteries. A key next step is to investigate affects when the assumption of size, wall rigidity and Newtonian flow assumptions therein are relaxed. Particular attention being directed towards the use of specific CFD software in the development of a tool that can be effectively used to train clinicians in optimized surgical procedures. The work will also perform the first extensive study of so-called thixotropic affects. Most importantly to what extent does the blood viscosity change transiently over the course of a cardiovascular cycle. Larger sections of the cardiovascular system using medical CT scans and post-operative flow characteristics will also be investigated using open-source software (e.g. FEniCx). Improvement in surgical practices and patient outcomes remains an ultimate achievement, there are several other wide-reaching implications.
The successful candidate will work with a surgical department at Preston Royal Hospital and the Applied Mathematics department at the University of Birmingham in the development of an in silico diagnostic haemodynamic tool to assist clinicians effectively individualize patient care before and after microsurgical free-flap reconstruction. This will require of the use of CFD software in the development of a tool that can be effectively used to train clinicians in optimized surgical procedures and predicting thrombus formation. The work will also perform the first extensive study of so-called thixotropic affects. Most importantly to what extent does the blood viscosity change transiently over the course of a cardiovascular cycle.
Further information
Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made to Dr J. Whitty, Email: [Email Address Removed]
For the application form and full details go to: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships
Completed application forms should be returned to the Research Admissions email [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number DTC17
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