Experimental studies are done on oscillatory and pulsatile flow of blood through tubes, orifices, and complex geometries that model segments of the human circulatory system. Optical methods are used to study the dynamics of red cell deformation. The kinetics of blood coagulation and clot dissolution are being investigated. Facilities are available for the study of prosthetic heart valves, cardiac replacement devices, and models of sections of the human circulatory system. A scanning electron microscope is available for analysis of blood cells.
Instrumentation is also available for continuous monitoring of the sedimentation of red blood cells.
Tissue Coagulation Laboratory. Research on tissue temperature distributions resulting from externally applied energy is underway at this facility. Calibrated and digitally processed thermographic imagery is used in conjunction with conventional thermal sensors to study localized coagulation and tissue fusion by lasers and electrosurgical techniques. Research into quantifying tissue damage from histologic sections seeks to improve the damage estimates computed from measured temperature distributions. Facilities include electrosurgery units, a microwave diathermy device, a thermal camera, and other equipment and facilities shared with the Laser Laboratories.