
Medical Device Manufacturing Laboratory
Dr. Chun has developed various metallic biomaterial-based endovascular devices for treating brain/aortic aneurysms, cardiovascular
disease, peripheral arterial disease, vascular injuries and trauma. Dr. Chun's current primary research interests include artificial smart biomaterials, bio-hybrid composites, endovascular devices, diagnostic vascular implants, and micro-bio-systems,
as well as fundamental device-associated biocompatibility and development of experimental methods.
Some of the most challenging studies for medical devices today are in the interdisciplinary research on advanced material processing, biology/chemistry of interfaces, physics for design/manufacturing (i.e., microfabrication), in-vitro/in-vivo
tests, and clinical trials. Our group’s primary research focus is on designing, manufacturing, and testing of medical devices to treat vascular diseases (e.g., cerebral and aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery
diseases and heart valves disease, etc.) using smart artificial materials through minimally invasive surgery.
In addition, we are expanding our research to implantable microsystems (e.g., sensors and actuators) for diagnose and treatment of vascular diseases, as well as more on circulatory diseases (i.e., cardiac, pulmonary, or renal)
in the human body. Our goal of this research is to diagnose and help in the treatment of specific circulatory diseases concurrently using micro-scale devices implanted in the conduit of body. Our ultimate goal is to provide innovative minimally
invasive surgical solutions based on new developments in science and engineering.
Smart Prosthesis using Nitinol and Other Metallic Biomaterials: In addition to vascular devices and associated studies, our group focuses on prosthesis. One novel material for prosthetic devices is Nitinol. This material is
a biocompatible, equiatomic alloy exhibiting shape memory properties. Another novel material is Magnesium, which is a metallic biodegradable material that is ideally able to compromise its mechanical integrity and degradation during the tissue
or bone remodeling period.