Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation
The goal of the Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation (WCCMS) is to develop computational biomechanical models for understanding heart valve and heart disease progression for developing clinical interventions, including prosthetic devices.
About the Center
The center develops and uses a range of unique in vivo and in vitro data for elucidating mechanisms that underlie the observed pathologies. The modeling focus is the detailed incorporation of this data to provide a high level of physical and physiological realism and validation, working at the continuum-cellular, fibrous-tissue and whole-organ levels.
The WCCMS ultimately seeks to provide cardiovascular scientists and clinicians with advanced simulations for the rational development of treatments for structural heart and heart valve diseases. Such simulations can ultimately lead to a reduction in development time, lowering of morbidity and mortality, reduced re-operative rates and lessened post-operative recovery time.
The development and use of these tools in the context of patient-specific models will ultimately also allow clinicians to craft therapies optimized for individuals’ cardiovascular systems, with a resulting increase in success and decrease in risk-averse side effects.
Types of Research
- Advanced modeling and simulation technologies for cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons
- Valve function modeling
- Computational platforms to evaluate and predict the effects of myocardial infarction on cardiac function impairment
- Modeling and simulation of engineered valvular and pulmonary artery tissues for surgical replacement
Facilities
The WCCMS is part of the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The Center is divided into two labs: the Computational Lab, located in the Peter O’Donnell Building (POB), and a wet lab, located in the Engineering Education and Research (EER) building.
Contact Our Director
Michael Sacks is a professor of biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics. He is a fellow of the American Heart Association, Biomedical Engineering Society and American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He holds the W.A. “Tex” Moncrief, Jr. Endowment in Simulation-Based Engineering and Sciences—Endowed Chair No. 1.
