Biomechanical modelling of bile flow in the biliary system

Abstract

The biliary system consists of the biliary tree, gallbladder and major duodenal papilla. Soft tissues compliance plays important role in the bio-fluids transport. Particularly, bile flow disturbances due to bile duct wall motor function changes in the extra-hepatic ducts, from medicine point of view are called dyscinesia of biliary tract. Fluid motion in the elastic and compliant ducts can be described by different models (for example, Windkessel model, peristaltic fluid motion, FSI algorithm). Our approach is decomposition of the biliary system into three compartments (extra-hepatic biliary tree, gallbladder, major duodenal papilla). Bile flow in the extra-hepatic ducts is simulated using FSI algorithm. Bile flow in the gallbladder can be described as flow in the reservoir with compliant ducts using Windkessel model. Bile flow in the major duodenal papilla is considered as peristaltic fluid motion, because the wall contraction is really important factor of fluid motion in that segment. The coupling of these compartments is performed by boundary conditions. The biliary system geometry was obtained using MRI patient-specific data. It was confirmed that normal bile can be modeled as Newtonian fluid and lithogenic bile can be modeled as non-Newtonian fluid (Carreau fluid). Bile ducts were modeled as hyperelastic material.