Manuel Kainz

Home: TU Graz
Host: University of Michigan
Topic: Elastography

From March to June 2025, I am conducting a research stay at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the Cardio Biomechanics Lab of Prof. David Nordsletten. My work focuses on improving elastography, a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess organ and tissue stiffness, with a new experimental setup for better mechanical characterization.

Elastography is commonly used for liver assessment, cardiac tissue, and even ultra-soft brain tissue, but its application to anisotropic soft materials remains a challenge. To address this, we are utilizing novel biomaterials developed at the Institute of Biomechanics at Graz University of Technology. These materials combine soft tissue-mimetic hydrogels with a 3D-printed microstructure to replicate the intricate mechanical behavior of soft biological tissues like cardiac muscle.

Calibrating elastography methods with these biomimetic materials can help improve the detection of microstructural changes in soft tissues. The long-term goal is to enhance elastography’s accuracy in clinical diagnostics, particularly in cardiovascular research. This research stay, supported by the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation, offers a valuable opportunity to combine biomechanics, medical imaging, and biomaterials science for non-invasive diagnostics.

Emanuel Kainz