Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Applications in Biological Systems

This page provides details about my recent research in bio-heat transfer and bio-fluid dynamics. Both topics are primarily inter-disciplinary and involves interesting physics and applications related to human biology and medicine. Most of my work at this stage is primarily modeling phenomena using computational fluid dynamic and heat transfer simulations. The publications page list the associated peer reviewed research publications.

• [2007 - 2010] Transient Heat Transfer Model of Human Eye undergoing Laser Surgery

Bioheat Transfer is an emerging interdisciplinary field. Pan Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP) is a surgical process in which maladies of the retina of human eye like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration are treated by laser irradiation.

Two- and three-dimensional computational models faithful to the geometry of the human eye have been developed to investigate steady and transient thermal effects due to laser radiation. Effects of various parameters on the temperature distribution of the retinal region are investigated. Mode of irradiation (sequential or simultaneous), shape of the laser-spot array (square or circular), size and distribution of the laser spot, influence of choroidal pigmentation and choroidal blood convection are some of the important parameters. The Pennes Bioheat Transfer Equation (suitably modified depending on the eye region) is invoked as the governing equation and a finite volume formulation is employed in the numerical method. Possible remedies for mitigation of excess temperature through clinical procedures are suggested.

Summary [to be written...]

• [2009 - 2010] Porous medium modeling of Trans-scleral drug delivery

Standard retinal drug delivery is by application of drops on the corneal (front) surface of the eye, which diffuses in time into the retina (back side). Due to high solute flux barrier in the cornea, this method is not preferred for treatment of posterior segment diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

In transscleral drug delivery, the drug is injected directly into the sclera – the protective covering at the back side of the retina. Scleral drug diffusion require only lower drug concentrations compared to topical administration and intravitreal injection of the drug. Transscleral drug diffusion can be hampered by the choroidal (another layer between sclera and retina) circulation of blood, which could wash the drug away.

Studying the effect of choroidal circulation on transscleral diffusion is virtually impossible through experiments. In vitro studies (studies on dead specimen/tissue) are performed where the choroidal circulation is absent. A computer simulation using numerical methods to predict the effect of choroidal circulation on duration and concentration of transscleral diffusion of drug is attempted in this project.

Summary [to be written...]

• [2010] Blood Flow Analysis in Fontan Process of Heart By-pass

[ongoing...]

• [2010] Red Blood Cell Shape and Interaction with Blood Flow in Capillaries

[ongoing...]