Abnormal morphology biases hematocrit distribution in tumor vasculature and contributes to heterogeneity in tissue oxygenation.

Oxygen heterogeneity in solid tumors is recognized as a limiting factor for therapeutic efficacy. This heterogeneity arises from the abnormal vascular structure of the tumor, but the precise mechanisms linking abnormal structure and compromised oxygen transport are only partially understood. In this paper, we investigate the role that red blood cell (RBC) transport plays in establishing oxygen heterogeneity in tumor tissue.

Comparison of computational modelling techniques for braided stent analysis.

Braided stents are associated with a number of complications . Accurate computational modelling of these devices is essential for the design and development of the next generation of these stents. In this study, two commonly utilised methods of computationally modelling filament interaction in braided stents are investigated: the join method and the weave method.

Computational modelling of magnesium stent mechanical performance in a remodelling artery: Effects of multiple remodelling stimuli.

Significant research has been conducted in the area of coronary stents/scaffolds made from resorbable metallic and polymeric biomaterials. These next-generation bioabsorbable stents have the potential to completely revolutionise the treatment of coronary artery disease. The primary advantage of resorbable devices over permanent stents is their temporary presence which, from a theoretical point of view, means only a healed coronary artery will be left behind following degradation of the stent potentially eliminating long-term clinical problems associated with permanent stents.

The importance of geometry in the corneal micropocket angiogenesis assay.

The corneal micropocket angiogenesis assay is an experimental protocol for studying vessel network formation, or neovascularization, in vivo. The assay is attractive due to the ease with which the developing vessel network can be observed in the same animal over time. Measurements from the assay have been used in combination with mathematical modeling to gain insights into the mechanisms of angiogenesis.

Microvessel Chaste: An Open Library for Spatial Modeling of Vascularized Tissues.

Spatial models of vascularized tissues are widely used in computational physiology. We introduce a software library for composing multiscale, multiphysics models for applications including tumor growth, angiogenesis, osteogenesis, coronary perfusion, and oxygen delivery. Composition of such models is time consuming, with many researchers writing custom software.

Predicting the Influence of Microvascular Structure On Tumor Response to Radiotherapy.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate how theoretical predictions of tumor response to radiotherapy (RT) depend on the morphology and spatial representation of the microvascular network.

Methods: A hybrid multiscale model, which couples a cellular automaton model of tumor growth with a model for oxygen transport from blood vessels, is used to predict the viable fraction of cells following one week of simulated RT. Both artificial and biologically derived three-dimensional (3-D) vessel networks of well vascularized tumors are considered and predictions compared with 2-D descriptions.

Optimizing the design of a bioabsorbable metal stent using computer simulation methods.

Computer simulation is used extensively in the design of permanent stents. In order to address new challenges that arise in the design of absorbable metal stents (AMSs), such as corrosion and the limited mechanical properties of bioabsorbable alloys, new simulation and design techniques are needed. In this study a new method for simulating AMS corrosion is developed to study the effects of corrosion on the mechanical performance of a range of stent designs.