Department of Computer Science at UH

University of Houston

Department of Computer Science

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science

Pratik Hande

Will defend his thesis


VIRTUAL SURGERY TRAINER FOR SIMULATION OF BLOOD FLOW IN CAROTID BIFURCATION

Abstract

Diseases related to the vascular system like plaque formation and aneurism affect millions of people. Almost 1 million Americans die of Cardiovascular Diseases each year, which adds up to 42 percent of all deaths. On average, every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Endovascular procedures are the least invasive treatment modality for these diseases. Surgeons would be able to achieve better results if they would train on a simulator before they operate on a patient. Using a simulator, surgeons would be able to simulate and visualize possible complications that would only be seen during a live surgery. Since the simulation is based on patient specific medical images, this will ensure an accurate simulation of blood flow in a patient’s artery. The simulator is based on mathematical modeling of blood flow in arteries using Computational Fluid Dynamic principles. The simulator creates a ”Virtual Surgery” environment that gives the surgeons an advantage of being better prepared for surgery and also ensures better surgical results for the patient from the surgery.

The simulator uses several mathematical models for blood flow through the arteries. The surgeons can select a model and various model parameters using the Graphical User Interface, select a mathematical model and then can observe a visual simulation of the blood flow in real time.

 

Date: Monday, April 23, 2012
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: 200-PGH

Faculty, students, and the general public are invited.
Advisor: Dr. Victoria Hilford