Medical Physics

The Medical Physics Group is a multidisciplinary team with a background in physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, biology and clinical medicine. The group has a wide experience of all aspects of modelling, encompassing the whole pathway from data acquisition to image processing and interpretation through the generation of a numerical model, solution methodologies, post-processing and in vitro and in vivo validation. The primary research focus is in modelling and simulation applied in the context of the cardiovascular system.

The group has contributed strongly to the development of the concept of the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) participating at each stage in its evolution, including co-authorship of the November 2005 White Paper, edited by the European Commission, and was one of the core partners responsible for the production of the STEP (Strategy for the EuroPhysiome) roadmap.

One major priority is translational research, capitalising on the group´s close association with clinical medical physicists within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, and the strong links developed with a wide range of research partners from industry, clinical medicine and academia throughout Europe. The key motivation of the team is to develop predictive tools that will be used to improve clinical diagnosis, treatment planning and interventional planning as well as contribute to the development of improved medical devices.

Current application priorities include; coronary artery and aortic disease, cerebral aneurysm, arterio-venous fistula, venous thrombosis and cardiovascular devices including, heart valves, vascular stents and ventricular assist devices.