Main description:

Surgical repair of the human body is where design and nature intersect most significantly because here manmade technology serves to enhance and even prolong human life. Engineers and clinicians have long been collaborators working to improve the human physical condition and in this volume we have contributors from both fields revealing current state of the art in restoring normal function to human physiology. Making good the effects of wear and tear through adjustment or replacing worn parts is a familiar part of the ownership experience for consumers of everyday objects. If a fault is persistent then a redesign may alleviate the problem. However, repair and redesign of human physiology is quite a different prospect because, as we shall see in this volume, no two humans are the same and 'spare parts' may be unacceptable or even be in very short supply. This book provides a broad overview of a number of areas where engineering and medicine have come together, both to promote the understanding of human physiology, and also to design solutions to repair or replace systems which are failing.

Contents:

Preface 1 Vascular reconstruction: CFD predictions of bypass graft haemodynamics Introduction; Conventional femorodistal bypass; Anastomotic angle; Graft/artery diameter ratio; Taylor patch; Cuffed anastomoses; Conclusions; References 2 Clinical applications of Physiome Project models Introduction; Modelling the gastro-oesophageal junction; Modelling musculo-skeletal system mechanics; Modelling the lymphatic system and melanoma; Interpretation of cardiac ultrasound measurements with physiome models; Summary; Acknowledgements; References 3 Computational modelling of left ventricular haemodynamics based on magnetic resonance imaging data Introduction; Methods; Results; Discussion; Conclusions; Acknowledgments; References 4 A mathematical model of left ventricular contraction and its application in heart disease Introduction; The hypotheses; Methods; Results; Conclusions; References 5 Cardiac resynchronisation therapy for heart failure Introduction; Basic concepts and techniques; Conventional pacing and cardiac resynchronisation therapy; Dyssynchrony; The theoretical basis for CRT; The evidence for dual-chamber pacemakers and CRT in heart failure; Echocardiographic measures of dyssynchrony and response to CRT; Other reasons for non-response; Conclusions; References 6 Ventricular assist devices Introduction; Intra aortic balloon pump; Flexible diaphragm pumps; General conclusions; References 7 Computational fl uid dynamics in the investigation and treatment of nasal obstruction Introduction; Overview of nasal anatomy and physiology; Literature review; Methodology and methodological considerations; Numerically predicted nasal airflow characteristics; Virtual nasal surgery; Discussion; Conclusions; References 8 Review of dental repair concepts and methods Introduction; Dealing with tooth decay; Restoration of teeth; Others forms of loss of tooth substance; Tooth replacement; Cosmetic dentistry; Repair concepts and philosophy; References 9 Biomechanical aspects in dental replacements Introduction; Various kinds of tooth replacements; Jaw solid modelling; Various methods of stress analysis; Stress analysis results; Biological aspects; References 10 Needle-free immunotherapeutics delivered to the skin Introduction; The importance of targeting skin and mucosal cells; Engineering of physical approaches for the targeting of skin and mucosal cells; Biolistics micro-particle delivery