The heart's pumping function is dependent on the vitality of the heart muscle, which is mostly composed of contractile cells, so-called myocytes. The orientation of these myocytes throughout the muscle results in a unique profile of contraction allowing the pumping process to be possible. Knowledge of arrangement and physiological properties of these cells permits the creation of realistic computer models.

Computer models of the heart lead to a better understanding of the physiological and physical processes underlying each heart beat. Comprehensive simulations of the heart necessitate coupling of models at various levels, i.e. models of anatomy, cellular electrophysiology, excitation propagation, force development, mechanical deformation, metabolism and fluid mechanics.
Simulations can be used to support medical doctors in diagnostics, surgery planing and serve educational purposes.

Elastomechanical modeling of the heart constitutes an essential step for realistic computer simulations of the cardiac system.

Research topics:

• anatomical models of the heart including fiber orientation derived from 4D MRI data sets
• elastomechanical model of ventricles
• spring mass systems
• continuum mechanics
• intraventricular blood pressure model