Ben developed tools to process these time-dependent blood flow data, searching for topologically interesting regions, like those with high helicality and vorticity. The visual exploration of blood flow in the human Aorta is then focussed on such regions.
The work was carried out in a close collaboration with the Heart Center in Leipzig (Prof. Gutberlet) where such data are acquired to assess mitral valve defects, congenital heart diseases and other pathologies. Ben did an extraordinary job in understanding this imaging technique and the resulting data as well as in the development of a mathematically sound basis for the exploration.
His written thesis, like the oral defense was assessed with the highest possible grade.