THIS STUDENTSHIP IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO UK/EU NATIONALS

Project summary:
This year 27,000 people will suffer heart failure (HF) and around 750,000 
people are living with HF in the UK. The incidence and prevalence of HF is 
increasing, however, with continued decreases in organ donation, the use of 
Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) is increasing. VADs are mechanical pumps 
designed to augment or replace the function of one or more chambers of the 
failing heart. VADs have been developed as a bridge to transplant, a bridge to 
recovery, and as an end stage treatment. In addition to adult patients with end 
stage HF, paediatric patients with ventricular dysfunction constitute another 
group requiring circulatory support. VADs have been in use for around a decade 
and have benefitted many patients already, however, there are still a number of 
significant challenges to overcome, some of which result in potentially lethal 
and devastating complications. In addition, tools to optimise VADs design and 
placement are notably lacking, even though both have a significant effect on 
hemodynamics. 
Computational simulation techniques such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) 
and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are currently vital tools for developing 
VADs. CFD plays a key role in the numerical modelling of the blood in these 
devices while FEA is required to simulate the mechanical stress on the cardiac 
system. However, model validation remains one of the biggest problems, 
therefore, in order to validate the computational results it is important to 
conduct actual in vivo measurements using a range of different imaging devices 
and cross-validate the results.

Project aims and objectives:
This project aims to analyse the function of some of the current VADs and their 
operation in vivo using CFD and FEA modelling and validate the results against 
patient-specific data obtained by advanced medical imaging technologies. The 
project will model the whole system and aim to identify key factors to improve 
functional performance of the VAD. The study will involve three phases: 

1.Obtaining an accurate patient-specific geometrical model.
2.Using CFD/FEA and validate the results against the imaging data.
3.Using a Functional Engineering Approach to understand the sensitivity of 
model parameters in relation to functional performance of VAD with the aim of 
system optimisation.

Specific requirements of the project:
It is desirable for the candidate to have experience in CFD and/or FEA. The 
student will have access to training in appropriate research methods and other 
relevant and generic skills in the School of Engineering and at IRM. The 
student may also need to spend some time at Manchester Teaching Hospital and 
Semmelweis University in Budapest for training and data collection purposes.

Supervisory team:
1) Dr Amir Keshmiri (DoS) (Lecturer in School of Engineering-MMU) 
2) Dr Glen Cooper (Senior lecturer in School of Engineering-MMU) 
3) Dr Neil Reeves (Senior Research Fellow at IRM–MMU)
4) Dr Roshan Ravindran (Research Fellow at Manchester Teaching Hospitals)
5) Dr Pál Maurovich-Horvat (Head of Cardiac CT Programme at Semmelweis 
University-Budapest).

How To Apply:
Please send you CV to Dr Amir Keshmiri by email. You will only be contacted if 
shortlisted for an interview.