Tissue properties and remodelling: To learn more about the mechanical properties of visceral tissues and the structural and biomechanical remodelling that takes place during disease.
Smooth muscle function and mechanosensory properties: To learn more about the motility and mechano-sensory function of normal and diseased GI organs. To explore the mechanisms of the visceral smooth muscle function experimentally and theoretically.
Previous studies:
The zero-stress state of visceral tissues
The mechanical properties of GI tissues
Numerical multilayered models of the oesophagus
Diseases and growth caused GI tissue remodelling
Motility analysis of the small intestinal segment
In vivo smooth muscle function analysis of human small intestine
3D modelling analysis of human stomach, rectum and sigmodcolon.
Numerical simulation of the stomach after laparoscopic gastric banding surgery
Ongoing studies:
GI tissue remodelling caused by functional diseases
Visceral smooth muscle functional analysis in vivo and in vitro
Mechano-sensory function of the small intestine
Reversible strain-induced stress softening in layered oesophagus
Deformation map of the 3D human renal pelvis during distension
Main technologies: Tri-axial torsion machine
Impedance planimetry and the tensiometer
Afferent nerve recording system
Histological and immunohistological techniques
Matlab, ABAQUS, COMSOL
Key references:
Gregersen, H. Biomechanics of the gastrointestinal tract: new perspective in motility research and diagnostics. Springer-Verlag, London, 2002.
Yang, J., Zhao, J., Zeng, Y., Gregersen, H. Biomechanical properties of the rat oesophagus in experimental type-1 diabetes.Neurogastroenterol Motil.,2004.
Zhao J, Liao D, Gregersen H. Tension and stress in the rat and rabbit stomach are location- and direction-dependent. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2005; 17(3): 388-98.
Zhao J, Yang J, Gregersen H. Biomechanical and morphometric intestinal remodelling during experimental diabetes in rats. Diabetologia. 2003; 46(12): 1688-97.
Liao DH, Duch BU, Stødkilde-Jørgensen H, Zeng YJ, Gregersen H, Kassab G. A 3-D Fourier model of gall bladder geometry obtained from MR image. Ann. Biomed. Eng.2004;32:744-755
Gao F, Liao D, Zhao J, Drewes AM, Gregersen H. Numerical analysis of pouch filling and emptying after laparoscopic gastric banding surgery. Obes Surg. 2008 Mar;18(3):243-50.
