Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
DCU PhD Project Template:
**Please use one form per project**
Please complete & submit to your Head of School by Monday 16th July
PI name & contact details:
Dr Garrett McGuinness
School:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Centre for Medical Engineering Research
Research group / centre website:
www.medeng.dcu.ie
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=1241
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr McGuinness has extensive experience in research related to polymeric biomaterials, composite
materials and ultrasonic medical devices. His ultrasonic medical device research has centred on the
application of high power, low frequency devices for cardiovascular and orthopaedic applications
and encompasses the development of specialist expertise in ultrasonics as well as biological and
tissue alteration effects.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Continuum Models for Thermal Damage and Denaturation of Fibrous Tissues
Advances in ultrasound, radiofrequency, laser and water jet systems are facilitating their increased
use in new medical ablation or cutting applications in fields as diverse as cardiology, orthopaedics,
ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology and neurosurgery. These methods involve controlled
alteration or destruction of tissues via the application of thermal, electrical or kinetic energy. Such
products accounted for at least 13% of the total world market for medical devices in 2009 (which is
estimated to be $185 billion). This market segment is characterised by advanced devices capable of
heating or cooling tissue from -200°C to 400°C, or inducing vibrations of up to 55 kHz to cause tissue
denaturation. The medical conditions targeted primarily pertain to chronic and age-related diseases,
but elective and cosmetic procedures also benefit.
This study will develop models to describe tissue damage arising from exposure to high power kHz
frequency ultrasound. Changes in protein folding arrangements occur when tissue is heated and can
be irreversible if the heating is severe (known as denaturation), causing gross shrinkage, changed
hydration levels and other property changes. It is proposed to model the denaturation process in
response to high power ultrasound and other modalities using a multi-phasic continuum damage
mechanics model. The approach will be to define relationships between ultrasound energy doses
and the denaturation effects of dehydration and shrinkage for clinically relevant tissues (primarily
vascular and cartilaginous). Validated damage models of the evolution of mechanical properties of
tissue during ablation will then be used to simulate tissue response during idealised blunt
instrument ultrasound orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Unique selling points of PhD project in DCU:
This project will require expertise crossing both tissue continuum mechanics and ultrasound technology
(practical and theoretical). Clinical collaborations with local hospitals and medical schools have been
established.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Dr Garrett McGuinness
garrett.mcguinness@dcu.ie
+353 1 7005423
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Applications from graduates with degrees in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering,
mechatronic engineering or mathematics are welcome.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Y
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please complete