Presenter: Stephanie Termaath
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, U.S.
stermaat@utk.edu

High performance computing (HPC) is a critical component in the design and optimization of life-saving medical technology. The capability to rapidly analyze Big Data to explore the effects of varying physiology parameters in real time that are unique to each patient is essential and enabled through HPC.  This presentation will provide an overview of HPC capabilities that support biomedical engineering breakthroughs. The specific example of ventricular catheter design optimization will be described in detail. A ventricular catheter is a primary failure component in a brain shunt that is used to treat hydrocephalus (high brain pressure).  Patients currently are expected to undergo 2-4 brain surgeries every 10 years to due shunt failure caused by ventricular catheter failure.  HPC provides the capability to rapidly explore design options to improve shunt performance.

Slides

Dr. Stephanie TerMaath earned her degrees in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural mechanics from Penn State (B.S.), Purdue University (M.S.) and Cornell University (Ph.D.). Dr. TerMaath managed the Physics Based Computing Group at Applied Research Associates prior to her current appointment at UT. Her research interests focus on applying structural mechanics to human head modeling and simulation. She develops high fidelity models and coupled fluid structure methodology to support realistic simulation of the human head under blast and impact loading. She also investigates the behavior and effects of arachnoid cysts.

Last modified: Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 5:41 PM