Finite Element Methods for Fluid Structure Interactions Problems

通过胎盘的血液流动对母胎交换至关重要，对胎儿的健康和母婴的终身健康具有重要影响。然而，由于需要在子宫内研究胎盘血流，因此对胎盘血流知之甚少，因为胎盘结构与其子宫内功能具有内在联系，动物模型的相关性有限。本论文的目的是建立准确有效的生物物理计算模型，将结果与健康和受损妊娠的子宫外和子宫内MRI数据进行比较。该模型将利用复杂的计算技术，能够将胎盘的随时间变化的几何形状和超弹性生物力学结合起来，准确模拟胎盘收缩引起的胎盘血流反应。该模型将为科学家提供一个独特的计算机测试平台，增强他们通过核磁共振成像和超声波检测受损妊娠的能力，并最终改善妊娠结局。

Blood flow through the placenta is crucial for materno-fetal exchange, and has critical implications for fetal wellbeing and lifelong health of the mother and child. However, little is known about placental blood flow due to the need to study it in utero, since placental structure is intrinsically linked to its in utero function, and animal models are of limited relevance.The aim of this thesis is to develop accurate and efficient biophysical computational models, comparing results to ex utero and in utero MRI data from both healthy and compromised pregnancies. The model will make use of sophisticated computational techniques capable of coupling the time-dependent geometry and hyper-elastic biomechanics of the placenta, giving an accurate simulation of the response of placental blood flow due to placental contractions.The model will provide a unique in silico test bed for scientists, enhancing their ability to detect compromised pregnancies with MRI and ultrasound, and ultimately improving pregnancy outcomes.