TRIONA CAMPBELL BEng MIEI
PhD Research Postgraduate (2003-2006)

e: triona.campbell@ul.ie

t: +353-61-202471

Triona Campbell graduated in Mechanical Engineering specializing in the area of Biomedical Engineering from the University of Limerick in 2001. Based in Germany she worked on the construction of a coal power plant in China, with ABB Altsom Power. Following this she worked in the pharmaceutical sector, in drug process development and was involved in the development, training and technology transfer of a lyophilized drug process from Germany to the newly built facility in Singapore prior to returning to complete a PhD. She was awarded an IRCSET postgraduate scholarship in 2002 and commenced her project entitled 'Measurement and Prediction of Intramural Stresses and Strains in the Femoral Artery and Bypass Graft' in January 2003. Triona received 2nd prize in the 7th Annual Sir Bernard Crossland Symposium 2004.

PhD Project Title: Measurement and Prediction of Intramural Stresses and Strains in the Femoral Artery and Bypass Graft

The basis of this research is to investigate the cause of atherosclerosis of the femoral artery bypass graft. The distal junction of a femoral or femoropopliteal artery bypass graft has a predilection for failure due to restenosis. In the femoral artery this can result in claudication and gangrene in the lower leg. Grafts are used to bypass the affected area, but the graft junction can become occluded itself within the next 5 to 10 years. Neither the initiation nor proliferation process of atherosclerotic plaque is completely understood. Presently it is hypothesized that the process of atherosclerosis initiates as a result of damage or 'insult' to the endothelium. The primary cause of plaque proliferation has not yet been identified, however it is our belief that intramural pressure plays a significant role. In this study numerical models of the proximal and distal junctions are used to determine both the location and magnitude of the strains caused by intramural pressure. The work also involves two experimental techniques, videoextensometry and duplex ultrasound for non invasive surgical measurements. This research aims to bring about an early diagnosis method for atherosclerosis.

The photograph below shows the non-invasive surgical measurement method.