RHEOLOGY

The Windberger lab is located at Medical University Vienna, Austria (Ursula´s ORCID: 0000-0002-5800-9089).
We handle with biological samples, including patient blood, and love to use animal blood to formulate structure-function relationships.
In addition, we think that the comparative approach is important to prove the validity of „universal“ statements obtained by examining only one species (human). 

We test blood and blood clots, and deal with clinical and forensic questions. 

 

Selected areas

Suspensions

Among the tested suspensions (biological, non-biological), we have the greatest expertise in testing blood. Prerequisites for correct tests are the homogeneity of the sample in the rheometer gap during the entire measurement and the optimal stress transfer from the moving to the stationary plate. For the correct measurement of blood in the curvilinear flow of the shear cells used in rheometry certain conditions must be set to avoid slip, structuration, and cell sedimentation. Due to the importance of adhesion we test suspensions in contact with coated surfaces in addition to classic rheometry on metallic plates, as this might affect the transfer of the applied shear stress / shear strain through the sample. Read more

Blood clots

Viscoelastic tests together with treatment protocols based on cut-off values are used for perioperative patient care, but only the linear behavior of clots can be accessed so far. Measuring at broader ranges of shear deformation will add information to pure kinetic tests because blood flow compels clots into a dynamic non-linear response that alters clot remodeling. We therefore looked for an easy-to-use rheological protocol to identify the mechanical phenotype of a blood clot at larger shear strains.  Read more

About

We characterize biological and technical materials by means of rheology, and we work for the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. See our projects, check out how we work, and look at our activities.

Ursula Windberger, DVM, BSc

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