Design, optimization and numerical simulation of a MicroFlow sensor in the realistic model of human aorta

Abstract

Among all arterial diseases, aneurysm and atherosclerosis are of great importance. In these diseases the cross-section area of the artery and therefore the blood flow velocity changes. Therefore, it is a good idea to use a micro flow sensor for measuring the blood flow velocity to diagnosing these diseases. In this study, design, geometric optimization and numerical simulation of a hotfilm microsensor in the realistic model of human's aorta are investigated. A normal aorta geometry is extracted from CT Angiography images, and after applying oscillating boundary conditions on the inlet and outlet arteries, blood flow parameters are investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. After designing the microsensor, the effects of its location in different aorta regions on the blood flow characteristics are numerically investigated. The results show that in the presence of microsensor, streamlines patterns almost remain unchanged while the maximum blood flow velocity in the aorta cross section where the microsensor is located, increases up to 10%. It is also found that the secondary flow weakens when the microsensor enters the artery causing a reduction in velocity measurement error. Furthermore, because of the presence of a catheter, the pressure drop increases up to 768 Pa. Results show that less than 30% of the arterial cross-sectional area where the microsensor is located, senses an increase in temperature.