Flow Wall Shear Stress Research Articles

Characterization of four heat-treated reciprocating instruments: Design, metallurgy, mechanical performance, and irrigation flow patterns.

To compare the design, metallurgy, and mechanical properties of four heat-treated reciprocating instruments coupled with the evaluation of the irrigation flow using an in silico model. New EdgeOne Fire Primary, Easy-File Flex Regular 25, WaveOne Gold Primary and Reciproc Blue R25 instruments (n = 124) were initially evaluated regarding their design through stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and 3D surface scanning. In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was utilized to determine their elemental composition, and differential scanning calorimetry tests to evaluate their phase transformation temperatures. Their mechanical performance was further assessed through torsional and bending tests. Using scans obtained from a real tooth and the instruments, a computational fluid dynamics assessment was conducted to determine the irrigation flow pattern, apical pressure, and wall shear stress in simulated canal preparation. Mood's median and One-way anova post hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical comparisons (α = 5%). Reciproc Blue exhibited a superior number of blades (n = 8), whereas EdgeOne Fire had the highest overall volume (4.38 mm3 ) and surface area (32.32 mm2 ). At the 3-mm axial level, EdgeOne Fire displayed the lowest core diameter (0.13 mm), while Reciproc Blue had the highest (0.16 mm). All blades were symmetrical, and the tips of the instruments were non-active but differed from each other. The most irregular surfaces were observed in EdgeOne Fire and Easy-File Flex. All instruments were manufactured from nickel-titanium alloys and exhibited distinct phase transformation temperatures. WaveOne Gold and Reciproc Blue demonstrated the highest maximum torque values (1.87 and 1.62 N cm, respectively), while the lowest was observed on EdgeOne Fire (1.21 N cm) (p < .05). The most flexible (p < .05) were EdgeOne Fire (angle of rotation: 602.6°; maximum bending load: 251.4 g.f) and Reciproc Blue (533.2° and 235.6 g.f). There were no significant differences observed in the irrigation flow among the four domains generated by the tested instruments. Despite observing variations in the design, phase transformation temperatures, and in the torsional and bending test outcomes among the four heat-treated reciprocating instruments, no significant differences were found in the irrigation flow pattern among the different groups in the simulated root canal preparations.

Enhanced external counterpulsation treatment regulates blood flow and wall shear stress metrics in femoral artery: An in vivo study in healthy subjects

As a non-invasive assisted circulation therapy, enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) has demonstrated potential in treatment of lower-extremity arterial disease (LEAD). However, the underlying hemodynamic mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to conduct the first prospective investigation of the EECP-induced responses of blood flow behavior and wall shear stress (WSS) metrics in the femoral artery. Twelve healthy male volunteers were enrolled. A Doppler ultrasound-basedapproach was introduced for the in vivo determination of blood flow in the common femoral artery (CFA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA) during EECP intervention, with incremental treatment pressures ranging from 10 to 40 kPa. Three-dimensional subject-specific numerical models were developed in 6 subjects to quantitatively assess variations in WSS-derived hemodynamic metrics in the femoral bifurcation. A mesh-independence analysis was performed. Our results indicated that, compared to the pre-EECP condition, both the antegrade and retrograde blood flow volumes in the CFA and SFA were significantly augmented during EECP intervention, while the heart rate remained constant. The time average shear stress (TAWSS) over the entire femoral bifurcation increased by 32.41%, 121.30%, 178.24%, and 214.81% during EECP with treatment pressures of 10 kPa, 20 kPa, 30 kPa, and 40 kPa, respectively. The mean relative resident time (RRT) decreased by 24.53%, 61.01%, 69.81%, and 77.99%, respectively. The percentage of area with low TAWSS in the femoral artery dropped to nearly zero during EECP with a treatment pressure greater than or equal to 30 kPa. We suggest that EECP is an effective and non-invasive approach for regulating blood flow and WSS in lower extremity arteries.

Effects of size and shape of the side holes of a double J stent on the ureter fluid flow after stenosis

The effect of side holes morphology changes in double J stent (DJS) on encrustation was analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). We analyzed DJS side holes with inner diameter of 1 mm and outer diameters of 1 (type A), 1.2 (type B) and 1.4 (type C) mm, respectively. Concentric stenosis with three intraureteral degree (0%, 12%, and 88%) was analyzed. The flow rate, shear stress and wall shear stress (WSS) distribution were investigated. Urine flow through SH1 before the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) differed based on the ureteral stenosis degree. The sum of flow rates through the SHs increased with diameter. In the stented ureter with 12% stenosis, the flow rate through SH1 approximately doubled than that without ureteral stenosis, and the flow rate through SH1 was maximal for the type ‘C’ stent in both 12% and 88% ureteral stenosis. The mean shear stress in the SHs increased with the degree of stenosis. The WSS around the SHs was higher for type ‘C’ than types A and B. From the flow rates and shear stresses in and around the SHs, the larger SH diameter of the DJS from the UPJ to mid-ureter is expected to induce encrustation reduction, especially in patients with urinary lithiasis.

Conduit design with expanding diameter for enhanced flow

Conduits are commonly used for treating lesions in arteries and veins. The conventional stents are cylindrical in shape, which increases flow resistance with length. This study presents a design of stents and conduits where the conduit caliber expands gradually to reduce resistance while avoiding flow separation. Inflow was provided from a header tank at two different pressures (i.e., 10 and 25 mm Hg pressure) into a cylindrical or expanding conduit. The initial conduit calibers were 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-mm and 160-, 310-, and 620-mm lengths in each case. The flow rates of expanding caliber conduits (at a rate of r4–6/cm where r is the initial conduit radius) were compared to traditional cylindrical conduits of constant radius. The expanded caliber yields a significantly increased flow of 16–55% for R4/L expansion, 9–44% for R5/L expansion, and 1–28% for R6/L expansion. Simulated flow models using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were used to validate and expand the experimental findings. Flow separation was detected for certain simulations by flow pathlines and wall shear stress (WSS) calculations. The results showed that a caliber expansion rate of r6/cm is the optimal rate of expansion for most potential applications with minimum flow separation, lower resistance, and increased flow.

Fluid dynamics by 4D flow CMR in Marfan and Loeys-Dietz patients before and after valve sparing aortic root replacement

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Spain), Sociedad Española de Cardiología Introduction Patients with Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome present abnormal aortic flow patterns in the arch and the proximal descending aorta that may contribute to aortic dilation (1,2). Valve sparing aortic root replacement, which is effective in reducing the risk of aortic dissection in case of severe dilation, may also normalize flow patterns beyond the replaced aorta and potentially slow its progressive aortic dilation. Purpose To assess aortic flow dynamics in these patients with Marfan or Loeys-Dietz by 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before and after valve sparing aortic root replacement (David surgery), and to compare the results with those of healthy volunteers (HV). Methods Patients with Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome underwent two non-contrast enhanced 4D flow CMR, one before and another after undergoing David surgery. Healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and BSA were also included for comparison. Maximum velocity, in-plane rotational flow (IRF), systolic flow reversal ratio (SFRR) and wall shear stress (WSS) magnitude and its axial and circumferential components were obtained at 24 planes covering the thoracic aorta from the sinotubular junction to the descending aorta at the diaphragmatic level (3–5). Results Sixteen patients and 21 healthy volunteers were included. Demographic and clinical data is presented in Table. The mean time between the CMR prior and posterior to surgery was 15 months. Compared to HV, patients with CTD before intervention presented lower maximum velocity at the proximal ascending aorta (Figure 1A), lower IRF and circumferential WSS at the arch and the proximal descending aorta (Figure 1B and F), lower magnitude and axial WSS at the proximal ascending and descending aorta (Figure 1E and D), and increased SFRR at the proximal descending aorta (Figure 1C). The intervention completely restored maximum velocity and partially-restored physiological helical flow and circumferential WSS, but barely improved axial WSS and SFRR. Conclusion Valve sparing aortic root replacement in patients with Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome partially restore to physiological level both in-plane rotational flow and circumferential wall shear stress in the descending aorta.

Hemodynamic study of blood flow in the aorta during the interventional robot treatment using fluid–structure interaction

An interventional robot is a means for vascular diagnosis and treatment, and it can perform dredging, releasing drug and operating. Normal hemodynamic indicators are a prerequisite for the application of interventional robots. The current hemodynamic research is limited to the absence of interventional devices or interventional devices in fixed positions. Considering the coupling effect of blood, vessels and robots, based on the bi-directional fluid–structure interaction, using the computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry methods, combined with the sliding and moving mesh technologies, we theoretically and experimentally study the hemodynamic indicators such as blood flow lines, blood pressure, equivalent stress, deformation and wall shear stress of blood vessels when the robot precesses, rotates or does not intervene in the pulsating blood flow. The results show that the intervention of the robot increase the blood flow rate, blood pressure, equivalent stress and deformation of the vessels by 76.4%, 55.4%, 76.5%, and 346%, respectively. The operating mode of the robot during low-speed operation has little impact on the hemodynamic indicators. Using the methyl silicone oil as the experimental fluid, the elastic silicone pipe as the experimental pipe, and the intervention robot having a bioplastic outer shell, the velocity of the fluid around the robot is measured on the developed experimental device for fluid flow field in a pulsating flow when the robot runs. The experimental results are similar to the numerical results. Our work provides an important reference for the hemodynamic study and optimization of the mobile interventional devices.

Computational fluid dynamics in root canal irrigation.

Root canal irrigation is an important step in root canal preparation procedures and has a great impact on the success rate of root canal treatment. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a new method to study root canal irrigation. It can be used to simulate and visualize the process of root canal irrigation, and quantitatively evaluate the effect of root canal irrigation through parameters such as flow velocity and wall shear stress. In recent years, researchers have conducted extensive studies on the factors that influence root canal irrigation efficiency, such as the position of the irrigation needle, the size of root canal preparation, the types of irrigation needles, and so on. This article reviewed the development of root canal irrigation research methods, the steps of CFD simulation in root canal irrigation, and the application of CFD in root canal irrigation in recent years. It aimed to provide new research ideas for the application of CFD to root canal irrigation and to provide a reference for the clinical application of CFD simulation results.

P40: Minimal hemolysis and platelet activation with VentriFlo True Pulse Pump, a novel pulsatile extracorporeal blood pump

Objective: Early pre-clinical work with a novel pulsatile extracorporeal blood pump, VentriFlo True Pulse Pump, have demonstrated delivery of the normal, or heart-like, pulsatile flow. Subsequent design modifications have been implemented to enhance the quality of pulse applications across varying stroke volumes and circuit dynamics. The aim of this study was to support the device development with advanced in silico simulation. Methods: Steady state and transient computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models were generated using ANYSYS 17.2 software (ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA) including SpaceClaim, ANSYS meshing, CFX, and CFD-Post tools. The flow velocity and wall shear stress during two different pump cycles (faster and slower) were evaluated to assess the hemolysis and platelet activation in accordance with Hellums’ criteria. The pump cycles were determined with typical VentriFlo pump filling and pumping times (faster: 0.35 sec each, slower 0.63 sec each). Results: The faster cycle exhibited a peak shear stress of 180 Pa and an exposure time of 0.075 sec, while the slower cycle demonstrated a peak shear stress of 110 Pa and an exposure time of 0.05 sec (Figure 1). Both values were below the Hellums’ threshold criteria for hemolysis and platelet activation. Conclusion: The refined VentriFlo pump demonstrated low hemolysis generation and platelet activation in the CFD model. Additional research efforts are ongoing.Figure 1. The wall shear stress and exposure time for two pump cycles, compared with Hellums’ thresholds.

CFD Predictions for Mixing Times in an Elliptical Ladle Using Single- and Dual-Plug Configurations

Argon bottom stirring is commonly practiced in secondary steelmaking processes due to its positive effects on achieving uniform temperatures and chemical compositions throughout a steel melt. It can also be used to facilitate slag metal refining reactions. The inter-mixing phenomena associated with argon gas injection through porous plugs set in the bottom and its stirring efficiency can be summarized by evaluations of 95% mixing times. This study focuses on investigating the impact of different plug positions and ratios of argon flow rates from two plugs on mixing behavior within a 110-tonne, elliptical-shaped industrial ladle. A quasi-single-phase modeling technique was employed for this purpose. The CFD findings revealed that the optimal position of the second plug is to be placed diametrically opposite the existing one at an equal mid-radius distance (R/2). An equal distribution of argon flow rates yielded the best results in terms of refractory erosion. A comparative study was conducted between single- and dual-plug-configured ladles based on flow behavior and wall shear stresses using this method. Furthermore, a transient multiphase model was developed to examine the formation of slag open eyes (SOE) for both single- and dual-plug configurations using a volume of fluid (VOF) model. The results indicated that the dual-plug configuration outperformed the current single-plug configuration.

Optimization of 4D Flow MRI Spatial and Temporal Resolution for Examining Complex Hemodynamics in the Carotid Artery Bifurcation.

Three-dimensional, ECG-gated, time-resolved, three-directional, velocity-encoded phase-contrast MRI (4D flow MRI) has been applied extensively to measure blood velocity in great vessels but has been much less used in diseased carotid arteries. Carotid artery webs (CaW) are non-inflammatory intraluminal shelf-like projections into the internal carotid artery (ICA) bulb that are associated with complex flow and cryptogenic stroke. Optimize 4D flow MRI for measuring the velocity field of complex flow in the carotid artery bifurcation model that contains a CaW. A 3D printed phantom model created from computed tomography angiography (CTA) of a subject with CaW was placed in a pulsatile flow loop within the MRI scanner. 4D Flow MRI images of the phantom were acquired with five different spatial resolutions (0.50-2.00 mm3) and four different temporal resolutions (23-96ms) and compared to a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solution of the flow field as a reference. We examined four planes perpendicular to the vessel centerline, one in the common carotid artery (CCA) and three in the internal carotid artery (ICA) where complex flow was expected. At these four planes pixel-by-pixel velocity values, flow, and time average wall shear stress (TAWSS) were compared between 4D flow MRI and CFD. An optimized 4D flow MRI protocol will provide a good correlation with CFD velocity and TAWSS values in areas of complex flow within a clinically feasible scan time (~ 10min). Spatial resolution affected the velocity values, time average flow, and TAWSS measurements. Qualitatively, a spatial resolution of 0.50 mm3 resulted in higher noise, while a lower spatial resolution of 1.50-2.00 mm3 did not adequately resolve the velocity profile. Isotropic spatial resolutions of 0.50-1.00 mm3 showed no significant difference in total flow compared to CFD. Pixel-by-pixel velocity correlation coefficients between 4D flow MRI and CFD were > 0.75 for 0.50-1.00 mm3 but were < 0.5 for 1.50 and 2.00 mm3. Regional TAWSS values determined from 4D flow MRI were generally lower than CFD and decreased at lower spatial resolutions (larger pixel sizes). TAWSS differences between 4D flow and CFD were not statistically significant at spatial resolutions of 0.50-1.00 mm3 but were different at 1.50 and 2.00 mm3. Differences in temporal resolution only affected the flow values when temporal resolution was > 48.4ms; temporal resolution did not affect TAWSS values. A spatial resolution of 0.74-1.00 mm3 and a temporal resolution of 23-48ms (1-2k-space segments) provides a 4D flow MRI protocol capable of imaging velocity and TAWSS in regions of complex flow within the carotid bifurcation at a clinically acceptable scan time.

Effect of Jiawei Tongqiao Huoxue decoction in basilar artery dolichoectasia mice through yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe Jiawei Tongqiao Huoxue decoction (JTHD), composed of Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Conioselinum anthriscoides ‘Chuanxiong’, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Carthamus tinctorius L., Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Leiurus quinquestriatus, and Moschus berezovskii Flerov, was developed based on Tongqiao Huoxue decoction in Wang Qingren's “Yilin Gaicuo” in the Qing Dynasty. It has the effect of improving not only the blood flow velocity of vertebral and basilar arteries but also the blood flow parameters and wall shear stress. Especially in recent years, the potential efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of basilar artery dolichoectasia (BAD) has attracted great attention as there are still no specific remedies for this disease. However, its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. To identify the potential mechanisms of JTHD will help to intervene BAD and provide a reference for its clinical application. Aim of the studyThis study aims to establish a mouse model of BAD and explore the mechanism of JTHD regulating yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) pathway for attenuating BAD mice development. Materials and methodsSixty post-modeling C57/BL6 female mice were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, atorvastatin calcium tablet, low-dose JTHD, and high-dose JTHD groups. After 14 days of modeling, the pharmacological intervention was given for 2 months. Then, JTHD was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). ELISA was utilized to detect the changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and lipoprotein a (Lp-a) in serum. EVG staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of blood vessels. TUNEL method was employed to detect the apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Micro-CT and ImagePro Plus software were used to observe and calculate the tortuosity index, lengthening index, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and tortuosity of the basilar artery vessels in mice. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression levels of YAP and TAZ proteins in the vascular tissues of mice. ResultsMany effective compounds such as choline, tryptophan, and leucine with anti-inflammation and vascular remodeling were identified in the Chinese medicine formula by LC-MS analysis. The serum levels of VEGF in the model mice decreased significantly while the levels of Lp-a increased obviously compared with those in the sham-operated group. The intima-media of the basilar artery wall showed severe disruption of the internal elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes of the connective tissue. Apoptosis of VSMCs added. Dilatation, elongation, and tortuosity of the basilar artery became notable, and tortuosity index, lengthening index, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and bending angle remarkably improved. The expression levels of YAP and TAZ protein in blood vessels elevated conspicuously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). JTHD group markedly reduced the lengthening, bending angle, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and tortuosity index of basilar artery compared with the model group after 2 months of pharmacological intervention. The group also decreased the secretion of Lp-a and increased the content of VEGF. It inhibited the destruction of the internal elastic layer, muscular atrophy, and hyaline degeneration of connective tissue in basilar artery wall. The apoptosis of VSMCs was decreased, and the expression levels of YAP and TAZ proteins were abated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). ConclusionsThe mechanism of inhibition of basilar artery elongation, dilation, and tortuosity by JTHD, which has various anti-BAD effective compound components, may be related to the reduction in VSMCs apoptosis and downregulation of YAP/TAZ pathway expression.

Progress in Analytical Modeling of Water Hammer

Abstract Analytical formulas for laminar water hammer in horizontal pipes were extended and simplified into a compact mathematical form based on dimensionless parameters: dimensionless time, water hammer number, etc. Detailed treatment of turbulent water hammer analytical solutions is beyond the scope of this paper. In the Muto and Takahashi solution, novel Laplace and time domain formulas for flow velocity and wall shear stress were developed. A series of comparative studies of unified analytical solutions with numerical solutions and the results of measurements were carried out. The study shows that models that account for the frequency-dependent nature of hydraulic resistance agree very well with experimental results over a wide range of water hammer numbers Wh, particularly when Wh ≤ 0.1.

On the steady flow of non-newtonian fluid through multi-stenosed elliptical artery: A theoretical model

The study of blood flow through stenotic arteries is more important as the existence and progression of stenosis may lead to severe damage. The current study aims to analyze and understand the non-Newtonian nature of blood flow through the multi-stenosed artery of an elliptical cross-section. The Carreau fluid model accounts for the non-Newtonian nature of blood. The mathematical equations are transformed to dimensionless form, and assumptions of mild stenosis are employed to reduce the non-linearity of the mathematical model. The perturbation method via polynomial technique is utilized to solve the resulting equations by considering We2 as the perturbation parameter. The results of the velocity and wall shear stress are examined graphically. It is found that stenosis severity substantially impacts flow velocity in the narrower portion of the artery. The stenosis growth strongly affects the flow velocity and wall shear stress in the stenotic region. The non-Newtonian effects are found to dominate along the minor axis. This fact assures that the conduit’s narrower cross-section strengthens the fluid’s non-Newtonian behavior. It is observed that the non-Newtonian fluid has a smaller velocity than the Newtonian fluid. Moreover, non-Newtonian fluid has a different nature along the minor and major axes, but Newtonian fluid has the same behavior.

The study on the impact of AAA wall motion on the hemodynamics based on 4D CT image data.

Purpose: To analyze the effect of the physiological deformation of the vessel wall on the hemodynamics in the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), this paper compared the hemodynamics in AAA based on the moving boundary (MB) simulation and the rigid wall (RW) simulation. Method: Patient-specific models were reconstructed to generate mesh based on four-dimensional computed tomography angiography (4D CT) data. The dynamic mesh technique was used to achieve deformation of the vessel wall, surface mesh and volume mesh of the fluid domain were successively remeshed at each time step. Besides, another rigid wall simulation was performed. Hemodynamics obtained from these two simulations were compared. Results: Flow field and wall shear stress (WSS) distribution are similar. When using the moving boundary method (MBM), mean time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) is lower, mean oscillatory shear index (OSI) and mean relative residence time (RRT) are higher. When using the 10th and 20th percentile values for TAWSS and 80th and 90th percentile values for RRT, the ratios of areas with low TAWSS, high OSI and high RRT to the entire vessel wall are higher than those assuming the vessel as rigid. In addition, one overlapping region of low TAWSS, high OSI and high RRT by using the MBM is consistent with the location of thrombus obtained from the follow-up imaging data. Conclusion: The hemodynamics results by using the MBM reflect a higher blood retention effect. This paper presents a potential tool to assess the risk of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) formation based on the MBM.

Research on process modeling and simulation of spent lead paste desulfurization enhanced reactor

In the reaction process of carbonate desulfurization lead paste, the produced PbCO3 is easily wrapped in the outer periphery of PbSO4 to form a product layer, hindering the mass transfer process. Therefore, it is necessary to break the PbCO3 product layer. In this work, the rotor stator-reinforced reactor was selected as the enhanced desulfurization reactor for the purpose of breaking the PbCO3 product layer and promoting mass transfer. The breakage process of the PbCO3 product layer generated during the PbSO4 desulfurization was modeled. Computational fluid dynamics simulation to the rotation conditions was carried out to theoretically analyze the fluid flow characteristics of PbSO4 slurry and the wall shear stress affecting the breakage of PbCO3 product layer. By optimizing the rotation conditions, the distribution ratio of effective rotor wall shear stress range achieved 96.1%, and the stator wall shear stress range reached 99.15% under a rotation of 2000 r·min−1. The research work provides a reference for analysis of the mechanism of product layer breakage in the PbSO4 desulfurization process, and gives a clear and intuitive systematic study on the fluid flow characteristics and wall shear stress of the desulfurization reactor.

Stagnating blood flow related to thrombus formation in pulmonary vein stump after left upper lobectomy

ObjectivesA thrombus can occur in the stump of the pulmonary vein after left upper lobectomy, potentially causing postoperative cerebral infarction. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that stagnation of blood flow inside the pulmonary vein stump causes thrombus formation.MethodsThe three-dimensional geometry of the pulmonary vein stump after left upper lobectomy was recreated using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Blood flow velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) inside the pulmonary vein stump were analysed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and compared between the two groups (those with or without thrombus).ResultsThe volumes of average flow velocity per heartbeat < 10 mm/s, 3 mm/s, 1 mm/s (p-values 0.0096, 0.0016, 0.0014, respectively) and the volumes where flow velocity was always below the three cut-off values (p-values 0.019, 0.015, 0.017, respectively) were significantly larger in patients with a thrombus than in those without thrombus. The areas of average WSS per heartbeat < 0.1 Pa, 0.03 Pa, 0.01 Pa (p-values 0.0002, < 0.0001, 0.0002, respectively), and the areas where WSS was always below the three cut-off values (p-values 0.0088, 0.0041, 0.0014, respectively) were significantly larger in patients with thrombus than in those without thrombus.ConclusionsThe area of blood flow stagnation in the stump calculated by CFD method was significantly larger in patients with than in those without thrombus. This result elucidates that stagnation of blood flow promotes thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump in patients who undergo left upper lobectomy.

On the non-Newtonian blood flow in the elliptical multi-stenosed inclined artery: Analytical approach

The analysis of blood flow in the stenotic artery is imperative as the existence and progression of stenosis effectively disturbs the blood flow in the artery, which may cause vascular disease. In this study, we considered the linearized Phan-Thien–Tanner (PTT) fluid model to study the non-Newtonian nature of blood flow in the stenosed artery inclined at an angle [Formula: see text]. The artery is considered to have multiple stenoses and a cross-section of elliptical shape. The PTT model is appropriate for this analysis as viscoelastic properties and shear-thinning characteristics characterize it. The elliptical cross-section of the artery raises the nonlinearity of the mathematical model and makes it effortful to solve the equations analytically. The mathematical equations of the model are processed to non-dimensional form under the assumptions of mild stenosis, which help us to get the exact solutions of the equations in the elliptical domain. The analytically acquired solutions are investigated in detail by their graphical interpretation. It is analyzed that progressive height of stenosis generates the more significant disorder in the narrowed part of the channel as the velocity reverses its behavior in that region. The advancing values of the Weissenberg number, Grashof number and extensional and heat source parameters cause to lessen the axial velocity and slow the fluid flow. The rising Grashof number has nearly no impact on the velocity in the center of the channel. The wall shear stress aggrandizes with the growth of stenosis height, and its behavior for other physical constraints is similar to the flow velocity. It also has a practical enhancement in the stenotic region of the conduit. It is observed that fluid velocity and wall shear stress have larger values for zero angles of inclination than the inclination angle of [Formula: see text]. The streamlined examination indicates the generation of the vortices in the stenotic part of the artery. Moreover, the flow velocity and wall shear stress have lower values for the nonuniform shape than for the uniform form of stenosis.

Impact of Stenosis Geometry on Blood Flow Behavior in Human Artery

Atherosclerosis in human arteries affects the blood flow behaviour in different ways and sometimes leads to fatal diseases. This study is focused on the impact of the elasticity of human arteries and the geometry of stenosis on non-Newtonian blood flow across the constricted arteries. The mathematical analysis is carried out using MatLab software. The elastic nature of human arteries and the non-Newtonian nature of blood are described under the power-law, Herschel-Bulkley and Casson model. The numerical derivations for blood flow velocity, volume flow rate and wall shear stress are derived for all three types of the model under consideration and results are also depicted graphically. The influence of elasticity, flow index, yield stress and geometry of stenosis on the blood flow is examined. Power-law model gives higher velocity as compared to Herschel-Bulkley model for the fixed magnitude of flow index 𝑛. It is observed that in the constricted region, the volume flow rate amplifies with the increasing value of stenosis shape parameter 𝑚 for the fixed magnitude of flow index 𝑛. The height of stenosis has a diminishing effect on the flow rate. A comparative analysis of the outcomes of the present study and that of the other published work is carried out for authentication.

Flow performance of porous implants with different geometry: Line, surface, and volume structures.

Additive manufacturing has enormous advantage of personalized adaptation. Particularly, porous implants have been widely used in clinical practice. Porous implant has the advantages and abilities to promote tissue growth and mass transfer, which are closely related to pore morphology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of three porous structures, i.e., line structure, surface structure, and volume structure, on the flow properties of implants at different porosity. Therefore, a unit cell was selected from each type of structure (oct truss [OT], gyroid [G], and schwarz p [P]) as a typical cell, where OT is a line structure, G is a surface structure, and P is a volume structure. The scaffolds with different porosity of these cells were customized, and the shape parameters were measured and calculated. Then, the flow performance of three different scaffolds in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium was simulated by using computational fluid dynamics, and the flow velocity, permeability, and wall shear stress, which can reflect their biological properties, were calculated and compared. The results showed that the pore shape and porosity of porous implants greatly affected the physical parameters and performance of structures. These findings will contribute to unit cell selection and future performance optimization of porous implants.

Changes of aortic hemodynamics after aortic valve replacement-A four dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance follow up study.

Non-invasive assessment of aortic hemodynamics using four dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides new information on blood flow patterns and wall shear stress (WSS). Aortic valve stenosis (AS) and/or bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are associated with altered aortic flow patterns and elevated WSS. Aim of this study was to investigate changes in aortic hemodynamics over time in patients with AS and/or BAV with or without aortic valve replacement. We rescheduled 20 patients for a second 4D flow MRI examination, whose first examination was at least 3 years prior. A total of 7 patients received an aortic valve replacement between baseline and follow up examination (=operated group = OP group). Aortic flow patterns (helicity/vorticity) were assessed using a semi-quantitative grading approach from 0 to 3, flow volumes were evaluated in 9 planes, WSS in 18 and peak velocity in 3 areas. While most patients had vortical and/or helical flow formations within the aorta, there was no significant change over time. Ascending aortic forward flow volumes were significantly lower in the OP group than in the NOP group at baseline (NOP 69.3 mL ± 14.2 mL vs. OP 55.3 mL ± 1.9 mL p = 0.029). WSS in the outer ascending aorta was significantly higher in the OP group than in the NOP group at baseline (NOP 0.6 ± 0.2 N/m2 vs. OP 0.8 ± 0.2 N/m2, p = 0.008). Peak velocity decreased from baseline to follow up in the aortic arch only in the OP group (1.6 ± 0.6 m/s vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 m/s, p = 0.018). Aortic valve replacement influences aortic hemodynamics. The parameters improve after surgery.