Data- and simulation-based exploration, analysis and treatment of vasoconstrictions for the prevention of ischemic strokes.

Period: 15.09.2020- 14.09.2023

Status: Completed

Web: Collaborative project MLgSA

Project in Sciport

The aim of the joint project MLgSA is the development of informatic and mathematical analysis tools for the improvement of clinical treatment pathways in the exploration, analysis and treatment of vascular stenoses in order to reduce the resulting risk of ischemic stroke. To this end, we are developing new methods of blood flow simulation and machine learning as well as new optimization methods for fluid-structure interaction (FSI). Based on acquired image data, we will generate a 3D model of the carotid artery. Based on this, the aim is to prepare the model for blood flow simulation and to develop a program that allows the 3D model to be explored with the simulated blood flow data on the one hand, and to obtain a recommendation for surgical intervention using machine learning methods on the other. We will implement the latter with our clinical partners, who will provide us with a large number of clinical data sets which - supplemented by the simulation-based data - will form the basis for categorizing stroke and non-stroke patients. This is the basis for calculating a classifier.

Subproject 4 Hemodynamic modeling

Project leader Prof. Dr. Anna Hundertmark

The subproject of the University of Koblenz-Landau at the Landau campus develops numerical 3D models and simulation tools for hemodynamic flows in the carotid artery including fluid-structure interaction for non-Newtonian fluids. The simulation results complement the patient data and are exported for the training of ML algorithms. In addition, the numerical simulations are used in cooperation with the subproject at the Koblenz campus for the optimization methods for fluid-structure interaction problems.

MLgSA, subproject 4 in Sciport

• Simulation of Compliance in a Humanoid Carotid Artery with Resistance Boundary Conditions, K. Richter, T. Probst, A. Hundertmark, Proceedings Topical Problems of Fluid Mechanics 2025, Prague, 2025, pp. 201, https://doi.org/10.14311/TPFM.2025.027
• P. Eulzer, K. Richter, A. Hundertmark, M. Meuschke, and K. Lawonn: Automatic Cutting and Flattening of Carotid Artery Geometries, in Proceedings of Eurographics Workshop on Visual Computing for Biology and Medicine 2021, doi:10.2312/vcbm.20211347
• T. Probst: Numerical simulation of blood flow in the carotid artery with Comsol Multiphysics, bachelor thesis, 2021(Research Award 2022 for best bachelor thesis in the category of scientific disciplines, NUW department), University of Koblenz-Landau
• K. Richter, T. Probst, A. Hundertmark, P. Eulzer and K. Lawonn: Longitudinal wall shear stress evaluation using centerline projection approach in the numerical simulations of the patient-based carotid artery, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 27:3, 347-364, 2024 (submitted 2022, published online 07 Mar 2023) doi:10.1080/10255842.2023.2185478
• T. Probst T., K. Richter, A. Hundertmark:Utilizing COMSOL® in a workflow to assess stroke risks in a large set of patients carotid arteries, Technical paper, Comsol Conference 2023
• P. Eulzer, K. Richter, T. Probst, A. Hundertmark, K. Lawonn, A Dataset of Reconstructed Carotid Bifurcation Lumen and Plaque Models with Centerline Tree equipped with Flow Data, 2023, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10695923
• P. Eulzer, K. Richter, A. Hundertmark, M. Meuschke, R. Wickenhoefer, C. Klingner, and K. Lawonn:Visualizing Carotid Stenoses for Stroke Treatment and Prevention, EUROVIS 2023 / T. W. Kuhlen and R. G. Raidou, Dirk Bartz prize
• Shiravand, K. Richter, P. Willmann, P. Eulzer, K. Lawonn, A. Hundertmark, G. Cattaneo: Fabrication, characterization and numerical validation of a novel thin-wall hydrogel vessel model for cardiovascular research based on a patient-specific stenotic carotid artery bifurcation, Scientific Reports, 14, 16301 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66777-5
• P. Eulzer, K. Richter, A. Hundertmark, R. Wickenhöfer, C. M. Klingner, K. Lawonn: Instantaneous Visual Analysis of Blood Flow in StenosesUsing Morphological Similarity, Computer Graphics Forum Vol 43 (2024), No 3, doi: 10.1111/cgf.15081

• ICIAM Congress in Tokyo 2023: Minisymposium with the title Mathematical modeling, simulation and optimization in stroke risk assessment (Hinze/Hundertmark)
• TES Conference on Mathematical Optimization for Machine Learning, Berlin 2023: Minisymposium entitled Mathematical modeling, simulation and optimization in stroke risk assessment.

• GAMM Annual Meeting 2022: Numerical modeling of patient-based carotid artery flow with fluid-structure-interaction: hemodynamical risk parameters and compliance study (Richter)
• Compact Seminar Numerics, JGU Mainz, 2022: Patient-based carotid artery flow and compliance modeling: hemodynamical risk evaluation using longitudinal shear stress (Hundertmark)
• ICIAM 2023, Tokyo: Hemodynamic modeling of directional shear risk metrics in the carotid artery (Hundertmark)
• ICIAM 2023, Tokyo: Physiological flow simulations for stroke assessement and importance of distensiblity (Richter)
• TES Conference on Mathematical Optimization for Machine Learning, Berlin 2023: Modeling of carotid artery hemodynamics towards a CFD database for stroke risk assessment (Hundertmark)
• Comsol Conference 2023, Munich: Utilizing COMSOL® in a Workflow to Assess Stroke Risks in a Large Set of Patient's Carotid Arteries, Poster Presentation (Probst)