Computational Models in Biomedical Engineering: Finite Element Models Based on Smeared Physical Fields: Theory, Solutions, and Software - Softcover

Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

Dr. Milos Kojic is one of the leading scientists in the computational mechanics and finite element method and its application in
engineering and biomedicine. He is currently Full Member and Professor of Nanomedicine, Department of Nanomedicine, The
Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA, as well as the Director of the Bioengineering R&D Center, Kragujevac,
Serbia. In his long professional carrier, Dr. Kojic has been Professor of Mechanics at University of Kragujevac, Serbia (retired),
Visiting Scholar of MIT; Research and Development Engineer of ADINA R&D, Boston; Senior Research Scientist, Harvard School
of Public Health; and Member of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, from 2009. Dr. Kojic’s research is primarily concerning
the finite element method, implementation in engineering and biomedicine; and software development. He has formulated and
implemented a number of original concepts and solutions, among which is the Governing Parameter Method for inelastic analysis
of solids and structures, and recently the smeared finite element models for field problems and mechanics, also known as the Kojic
Transport Model (KTM). He initiated and has been PI of the FE software package PAK for solids and fluids, field and coupled
problems, and biomechanics. The PAK software has been developing over decades with participation of several generations; today,
it is the basic tool for applications in industry and in research within various domestic and international grants. Dr. Kojic is the lead
author of over 10 textbooks in Serbian and two books by world leading publishers: Inelastic Analysis of Solids and Structures, from
Springer, and Computer Modeling in Bioengineering, from J. Wiley and Sons.

Dr. Miljan Milosevic is a Senior Research Engineer at Bioengineering R&D Center, Kragujevac Serbia. He also serves as an
Associate Professor at Metropolitan University, Belgrade, teaching courses in informatics and its applications. Dr. Milosevic
received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of Kragujevac. His research
interests are centered primarily on the development of the finite element methodology in bioengineering and implementation to the
software package PAK. He has been leading research related to the creation of interfaces for use of the software PAK, including
connection to imaging data.

Dr. Arturas Ziemys is an Assistant Professor in the Program of Mathematics in Medicine, Department of Nanomedicine, Radiation Oncology, at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA. His professional experience includes being a research Scientist at the Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius, Lithuania; Lecturer in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania. His research focus includes enzymatic catalysis, biophysics of protein function and structure, mass transport in nanoporous materials, nanomedicine, bioengineering and drug delivery. This research integrates in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical aspects. His most recent publications focus on drug delivery and therapeutic resistance involving small molecules and immunotherapies.

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Considerable efforts over the last several decades have been directed to the development of computational models and software to simulate biomedical problems, and various numerical and computational methods have been introduced. Some of these represent extensions of concepts already used in engineering, while others have been formulated to treat specifics in biomedicine. The range of approaches in computational methodology spans from pure mathematics to applied mechanics with a strong coupling to laboratory and clinical investigations.

The results of computational methods helped to elucidate many biochemical and biomechanical processes, which ultimately improved both therapies and medical procedures. Computational methods and the corresponding software are becoming ever more prominent in medical research and practice. However, besides the mentioned advances, it can be stated that the extensive use of computer simulations in research and practice is still at an early stage. Thus, there is a need to have methodology and software suitable for everyday applications. The authors have developed novel computational methodology which addresses a variety of topics in biomedicine. Their original concept relies on the so-called smeared physical field built into the finite element method. A new and straightforward methodology is represented by the Kojic Transport Model (KTM). A composite smeared finite element (CSFE) as a FE formulation, contains different fields (eg. drug concentration, electrical potential) in a composite medium, such as tissue, which includes the capillary and lymphatic system, different cell groups and organelles. The continuum domains participate in the overall model according to their volumetric fractions. The governing laws and material parameters are assigned to each of the domains. Furthermore, the continuum fields are coupled at each FE node by connectivity elements which take into account biological barriers as vessel walls and cell/organelle membranes. This breakthrough concept opens a new avenue for practical applications since it is robust, effective, and simple to use. For example, instead of a detailed description of the capillary network or network of neural fibers, a continuum representation is employed (with the corresponding consistent transport tensors). The results of the smeared model are strikingly accurate, which is demonstrated in a number of publications related to drug delivery or electrophysiology. The same concept was further extended more broadly to tissue mechanics. Applicability of the new methodology was illustrated on a number of large-scale biomechanical problems: drug delivery within organs with tumors (eg. pancreas and liver) and including tumor growth modeling; lungs (still in the development phase); electrophysiology coupled with mechanics and drug delivery of the heart; eye models with implants; drug release from implants; immune cell transport, etc.

The methodology presented in Computational Models in Biomedical Engineering: Finite Element Models Based on Smeared Physical Fields – Theory, Solutions, and Software will have a large and broad impact on computational methods, particularly with respect to biomedical applications and medical practice. It will also have a strong impact on education in computational methods, since the concept is straightforward and simple to follow. The book can also be used by researchers interested in modeling specific problems coupled to experimental or clinical research, as well as to extend the methodology by including additional effects and features. The book also offers a support by software designed for large number of examples, with interface, tutorial and guidance for exploring effects of parameters related to the computational models.