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Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar

Dr. Fateme Esmailie

University of North Texas

Abstract

Dr. Fateme Esmailie’s presentation delves into two compelling applications of computational methods in biomedical engineering.

In the first part of the discussion, Dr. Esmailie will take us on a journey through the world of magnetic cochlear implant surgery. This innovative procedure holds the promise of significantly reducing the physical trauma associated with manual implant insertion, effectively cutting insertion forces in half. However, a crucial aspect of this technique involves the detachment of the guiding magnet from the cochlear implant electrode array, which necessitates a careful consideration of thermal effects within the cochlea. Dr. Esmailie will present a validated three-dimensional finite element heat transfer model of the human cochlea, showcasing its application in conducting an intracochlear thermal analysis. This analysis is pivotal in ensuring the safety of the magnet removal phase, thereby advancing the field of cochlear implantation.

In the second segment, the spotlight turns to hypoattenuating leaflet thickening (HALT), a significant concern in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Dr. Esmailie will introduce a cutting-edge computational pipeline designed to leverage pre-TAVR CT scans as input, producing valuable post-TAVR anatomical and hemodynamic measurements. These measurements play a crucial role in assessing metrics that have the potential to predict the risk of thrombus formation post TAVR. This insightful presentation exemplifies the power of computational techniques in enhancing our understanding of cardiovascular health and optimizing patient outcomes in TAVR procedures.

Bio

Dr. Fateme Esmailie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Texas. Fateme earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, specializing in the innovative field of magnetic-robotic insertion of cochlear implants. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Esmailie developed a computational model for assessing the thermal safety aspects of magnetic-robotic cochlear implant insertion. Driven by a passion for biomedical engineering, Fateme expanded her horizons by pursuing a postdoctoral position at the Georgia Institute of Technology, working with Prof. Lakshmi Prasad Dasi in the field of cardiovascular fluid dynamics. During this phase, she worked on the intricate world of transcatheter aortic valves, where she applied her expertise in computational modeling and machine learning. Dr. Esmailie's research assisted the development of innovative predictive models for assessing the risk of thrombus formation, combining dimensional analysis with classification algorithms demonstrating the feasibility of predicting the risk of hypoattenuating leaflet thickening using physic-informed machine learning models. Currently, Fateme is focusing on thermal analysis of cochlear photobiomodulation and left ventricle-assisted devices.