Simulation of Red Blood Cell Passing Through Constrictions Using Modified Moving Particle Semi-Implicit Method

Abstract

During the circulation of RBC it undergoes elastic deformation as it passes through micro-capillaries where the inner diameter of the constriction can be about 3 micro meters. It means RBC shape must be changed in order to pass through these narrow channels. The role of mechanical behavior of RBC and the deformability traits of RBC are observed with the several experimental studies [1]. Several methods were implemented to simulate the mechanical behavior of RBCs in micro-capillaries [1, 2]. One of the most recent methods is Moving Particle Semi-implicit method (MPS) which is a Lagrangian method with semi-implicit algorithm that guaranties the incompressibility of the fluid. MPS method was implemented for simulation of RBC motion through parallel plates by Tsubota et al. 2006 [3]. Due to small Reynolds number and the Diffusion number restrictions, implementation of small time step size would be necessary which leads to long time simulation. By the way in case of complex geometries or FSI problems, standard MPS method has a delicate pressure solver which leads to diverge the solution. So in these cases using a small time step can help to overcome the problem. Some studies have applied a new approach for time integration and the fractional time step method is employed to overcome the noticed problem. Yohsuke Imai and coworkers (2010) have developed the former studies with two main new approaches [4]. Firstly, evaluation of viscosity is upgraded and secondly boundary condition is assumed to be periodic. Although the developments are really impressive and MPS method has turned into a practical method for simulation of RBC motion in micro-capillaries, but still there are some considerations about using large time steps and error of the velocity profile consequently.