Maximum Shear Rate Research Articles

Thrombus growth and embolism on tissue factor-bearing collagen surfaces under flow: role of thrombin with and without fibrin.

At sites of vascular injury, thrombin is an important mediator in thrombus growth and stability. Using microfluidic flow devices as well as patterned surfaces of collagen and tissue factor (TF), we sought to determine the role that fibrin plays in clot stability without interfering with the production of thrombin. We deployed an 8-channel microfluidic device to study coagulation during corn trypsin inhibitor-treated (XIIa-inhibited) whole blood perfusion over lipidated TF linked to a fibrillar collagen type 1 surface. Clot growth and embolization were measured at initial inlet venous (200 s(-1)) or arterial (1000 s(-1)) wall shear rates under constant flow rate or pressure relief mode in the presence or absence of Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro (GPRP) to block fibrin polymerization. Numerical calculations for each mode defined hemodynamic forces on the growing thrombi. In either mode at inlet venous flow, increasing amounts of TF on the surface led to a modest dose-dependent increase (up to 2-fold) in platelet deposition, but resulted in massive fibrin accumulation (>50-fold) only when exceeding a critical TF threshold. At a venous inlet flow, GPRP led to a slight 20% increase in platelet accumulation (P<0.01) in pressure relief mode with thrombi resisting ≈1500 s(-1) before full channel occlusion. GPRP-treated thrombi were unstable under constant flow rate, where shear forces caused embolization at a maximum shear rate of ≈2300 s(-1) (69 dynes/cm2). In constant flow rate mode, the nonocclusive platelet-fibrin deposits (no GPRP) withstood maximum shear rates of ≈29 000 s(-1) (870 dyne/cm2) at ≈95% of full channel occlusion. For arterial inlet shear rate, embolization was marked for either mode with GPRP present when shear forces reached 87 dynes/cm2 (≈2900 s(-1)). Under constant flow rate, platelet-fibrin deposits (no GPRP) withstood maximums of 2400 dynes/cm2 (80,000 s(-1)) at ≈90% of full channel occlusion prior to embolization. Fibrin increased clot strength by 12- to 28-fold. Under pressure relief mode, ≈2-fold more fibrin was produced under venous flow (P<0.001). These studies define embolization criteria for clots formed with surface TF-triggered thrombin production (±fibrin) under venous and arterial flows.

Thixotropic Behavior of Semisolid AlSi6Mg2 Alloy under Cyclic Shear Deformation

In the present work, the rheological model (CF model) developed by Chen and Fan[1] for semisolid metal slurries (SSMS) is applied to investigate the thixotropy of the AlSi6Mg2 alloy under cyclic shear deformation. The present investigation indicates that the semisolid AlSi6Mg2 alloy has the thixotropy by the technique of hysteresis loop. Specifically, the area of the hysteresis loop increases with decreasing the up-time, the initial shear rate and increasing resting time, solid volume fraction and maximum shear rate, respectively. These results agree qualitatively with the experimental data. Furthermore, the origin of the hysteresis loop is attributed to the difference between the agglomeration rate and the deagglomeration rate.

LES of non-Newtonian physiological blood flow in a model of arterial stenosis

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is performed to study the physiological pulsatile transition-to-turbulent non-Newtonian blood flow through a 3D model of arterial stenosis by using five different blood viscosity models: (i) Power-law, (ii) Carreau, (iii) Quemada, (iv) Cross and (v) modified-Casson. The computational domain has been chosen is a simple channel with a biological type stenosis formed eccentrically on the top wall. The physiological pulsation is generated at the inlet of the model using the first four harmonic series of the physiological pressure pulse (Loudon and Tordesillas [1]). The effects of the various viscosity models are investigated in terms of the global maximum shear rate, post-stenotic re-circulation zone, mean shear stress, mean pressure, and turbulent kinetic energy. We find that the non-Newtonian viscosity models enlarge the length of the post-stenotic re-circulation region by moving the reattachment point of the shear layer separating from the upper wall further downstream. But the turbulent kinetic energy at the immediate post-lip of the stenosis drops due to the effects of the non-Newtonian viscosity. The importance of using LES in modelling the non-Newtonian physiological pulsatile blood flow is also assessed for the different viscosity models in terms of the results of the dynamic subgrid-scale (SGS) stress Smagorinsky model constant, Cs, and the corresponding SGS normalised viscosity.

The Finite Element Simulation and Analysis of Polymer Tube Coextrusion Process

The three-dimensional numerical simulation model of two polymer melts flowing through the traffic circle section path was founded. The coextrusion process of composite pipe was simulated used the finite element method. The stream line method was used to simulate the extrudate swell. Such simulated results as the location and shape of coextrusion interface, the shear stress profile were analyzed. It is found that the maximum shear rate occur near the convergence section of the outer polymer. The interface excursion is less than 1mm in the die path. As the melt flow out of the die, the interface excursion increase distinctly, the value is up to 6mm. The extrudate swell rate is 21% along the radial direction.

Rheological Behavior of Semisolid Al-6.5wt%Si Alloy under Cyclic Shear Deformation

In the present work, the MCF model for semisolid metal slurries (SSMS) is applied to investigate the thixotropy of the Al-6.5wt%Si alloy under cyclic shear deformation. The study shows that the semisolid Al-6.5wt%Si alloy has the behavior of thixotropy. The area of the hysteresis loop increases with decreasing the up-time, the initial shear rate and increasing resting time, solid volume fraction and maximum shear rate, respectively. These results have qualitative agreement with the experimental data. The origin of the hysteresis loop is atrributed to the difference between the deagglomeration rate and the agglomeration rate.

Estimation of blood velocity, volumetric flow and wall shear rate using Doppler ultrasound

Commercial ultrasound systems can make a number of measurements related to haemodynamics which are relevant to clinical practice and to clinical research. These include maximum velocity, volumetric flow and wall shear rate. Using appropriate protocols, measurements can be made averaged over the cardiac cycle, or as a function of time through the cardiac cycle. Maximum velocity underpins most of these measurements. Maximum velocity is overestimated as a result of geometric spectral broadening, by typically up to 30%, but by much larger amounts as the angle approaches 90°. Though not used in clinical practice, a simple correction technique using a string phantom can substantially reduce these errors. For volumetric flow and wall shear rate, methods such as specialist multi-gate ultrasound systems, magnetic resonance imaging and image guided modelling are available. Before resorting to these more complex methods users might consider that, with care and attention to procedure, high quality information may be obtained using commercial ultrasound systems. Manufacturers could make more use of the colour flow image for quantification of velocity, and adopt vector Doppler techniques.

BEHAVIOR OF MR FLUIDS AT HIGH SHEAR RATE

The high shear rate behavior of MR fluids is investigated using a concentric rotational cylinder viscometer fabricated in-house. The rotational cylinder viscometer is designed such that a high shear rate of up to 30,000 s-1 can be applied to the MR fluid in a pure shear flow mode. As a comparison, the maximum shear rate of a commercially available parallel disk type rheometer is only up to 1,000 s-1. To determine the shear rate of the MR fluid in the viscometer, an exact expression between torque and angular velocity is established. The yield stress and viscosity of the MR fluid is determined by fitting the expression into the measured torque and angular velocities, and the shear stress as a function of the shear rate is further derived. The magnetic filed strength across the fluid gap is determined based on an electromagnetic field analysis, and the yield stress and viscosity of the fluid as a function of the magnetic filed is established. Specifically, the stability of the MR fluid at high shear rate is also evaluated. Two commercially available MR fluids, i.e., Lord's MRF-132DG and MRF-140CG, are investigated using the rotational cylinder viscometer, and the testing results are compared to the manufacturer's data.

Modelling of shear rate distribution in two planetary mixtures for studying development of cake batter structure

The shear rate experienced by a fluid near the wall of a planetary mixer when agitated by a wire whisk tool has been estimated using a simple geometrical analysis. The bowl and whisk geometries were measured for a Kenwood KM250 and a Hobart N50 mixer which are in widespread use in domestic and laboratory installations. The shear rate is shown to be a maximum at the bowl wall. This value is relatively uniform over a large fraction of the wall height, except for a small volume near the base and the region above the maximum width of the mixer. The shear rate profile is sensitive to the vertical positioning of the agitator within the bowl. For standard manufacturer speed settings, the range of maximum shear rates was estimated to be 100-500 s −1 in the Hobart and 20–100 s −1 in the Kenwood.

High-speed video recording of basal shear layers in snow chute flows

Abstract Run-out distances and flow velocities of snow avalanches are mainly determined by frictional processes originating from the interaction with the ground. At the SLF snow chute at the Weissfluhjoch near Davos, a setup was developed which allowed us to record high-speed movies of the basal shear layer of small-scale avalanches with a frame rate of 1000 frames per second. Shear processes could be observed in high-resolution slow motion. Downstream velocity profiles were extracted by a pattern matching algorithm. The comparison of computed profiles with velocity profiles obtained from optical sensors showed good agreement. However, the temporal and spatial resolutions are much higher for the high-speed video data. Because the optical velocity sensors are one-dimensional, we found that they overestimate the velocities when a flow-normal velocity component exists as well. All measured velocity profiles exhibited very high shear rates near the ground. The maximum shear rates were up to 600/s for dry snow and 200/s for wet snow avalanches. The observations of the video images suggested a turbulent motion of the snow in the basal shear layer.

Wall shear over high degree stenoses pertinent to atherothrombosis

Atherothrombosis can induce acute myocardial infarction and stroke by progressive stenosis of a blood vessel lumen to full occlusion. Since thrombus formation and embolization may be shear-dependent, we quantify the magnitude of shear rates in idealized severely stenotic coronary arteries (≥75% by diameter) using computational fluid dynamics to characterize the shear environment that may exist during atherothrombosis. Maximum shear rates in severe short stenoses were found to exceed 250,000 s −1 (9500 dynes/cm 2) and can reach a peak value of 425,000 s −1 for a 98% stenosis. These high shear rates exceed typical shear used for in vitro blood flow experiments by an order of magnitude, indicating the need to examine thrombosis at very high shear rates. Pulsatility and stenosis eccentricity were found to have minor effects on the maximum wall shear rates in severe stenoses. In contrast, increases in the stenosis length reduced the maximum shear to 107,000 s −1 (98% stenosis), while surface roughness could increase focal wall shear rates to a value reaching 610,000 s −1 (90% stenosis). The “shear histories” of circulating platelets in these stenoses are far below reported activation thresholds. Platelets may be required to form bonds in 5 μs and resist shear forces reaching 8000 pN per platelet. Arterial thrombosis occurs in the face of pathological high shear stress, creating rapid and strong bonds without prior activation of circulating platelets.

Particle deposition and biofilm formation on microstructured membranes

The formation of a biofilm on membranes with micro-obstacles as structures has been studied. These structured membranes showed growth of the biofilm upstream of the structures regardless of their orientation relative to the flow direction. A typical net shaped spacer was fouled under similar experimental conditions as a benchmark to observe the fouling locations. The spacer junctions showed similar biofilm formation as the structured membranes with the biomass accumulating upstream. 2D CFD simulations were used to determine the flow profile around structures of different shapes as well as the local surface shear rates on the walls of these structures. The flow profiles showed recirculation zones behind star and circular shaped geometries. The local shear forces showed a minimum downstream of the structures with the maximum shear rate observed along the sides of the structures. These observations contrast earlier findings where deposition and biofilm formation occurs downstream of the obstacles.

A simulation environment for validating ultrasonic blood flow and vessel wall imaging based on fluid‐structure interaction simulations: Ultrasonic assessment of arterial distension and wall shear rate

Ultrasound (US) is a commonly used vascular imaging tool when screening for patients at high cardiovascular risk. However, current blood flow and vessel wall imaging methods are hampered by several limitations. When optimizing and developing new ultrasound modalities, proper validation is required before clinical implementation. Therefore, the authors present a simulation environment integrating ultrasound and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations, allowing construction of synthetic ultrasound images based on physiologically realistic behavior of an artery. To demonstrate the potential of the model for vascular ultrasound research, the authors studied clinically relevant imaging modalities of arterial function related to both vessel wall deformation and arterial hemodynamics: Arterial distension (related to arterial stiffness) and wall shear rate (related to the development of atherosclerosis) imaging. An in-house code ("TANGO") was developed to strongly couple the flow solver FLUENT and structural solver ABAQUS using an interface quasi-Newton technique. FIELD II was used to model realistic transducer and scan settings. The input to the FSI-US model is a scatterer phantom on which the US waves reflect, with the scatterer displacement derived from the FSI flow and displacement fields. The authors applied the simulation tool to a 3D straight tube, representative of the common carotid artery (length: 5 cm; and inner and outer radius: 3 and 4 mm). A mass flow inlet boundary condition, based on flow measured in a healthy subject, was applied. A downstream pressure condition, based on a noninvasively measured pressure waveform, was chosen and scaled to simulate three different degrees of arterial distension (1%, 4%, and 9%). The RF data from the FSI-US coupling were further processed for arterial wall and flow imaging. Using an available wall tracking algorithm, arterial distensibility was assessed. Using an autocorrelation estimator, blood velocity and shear rate were obtained along a scanline. The authors obtained a very good agreement between the flow and the distension as obtained from the FSI-US model and the reference FSI values. The wall application showed a high sensitivity of distension measurements to the measurement location, previously reported based on in vivo data. Interestingly, the model indicated that strong reflections between tissue transitions can potentially cloud a correct measurement. The flow imaging application demonstrated that maximum shear rate was underestimated for a relevant simulation setup. Moreover, given the difficulty of measuring near-wall velocities with ultrasound, maximal shear rate was obtained at a distance from the wall [0.812 mm for the anterior and 0.689 mm for the posterior side (9% distension case)]. However, ultrasound shear rates correlated well with the FSI ground truth for all distension degrees, suggesting that correction of the severe underestimation by ultrasound might be feasible in certain flow conditions. The authors demonstrated a simulation environment to validate and develop ultrasonic vascular imaging. An elaborate technique to integrate FSI and FIELD II ultrasound simulations was presented. This multiphysics simulation tool was applied to two imaging applications where distensible ultrasound phantoms are indispensable: Wall distension and shear rate measurement. Results showed that the method to couple fluid-structure interaction and ultrasound simulations provides realistic RF signals from the tissue and the blood pool.

Viscosity Effects on Hydrodynamic Drainage Force Measurements Involving Deformable Bodies

Dynamic force measurements have been made between an oil drop and a silica particle in surfactant and sucrose solutions with viscosities that range up to 50 times that of water. These conditions provide variations in the shear rate and the relative time scales of droplet deformation and hydrodynamic drainage in a soft matter system. The results obtained indicate that soft deformable boundaries have a natural response that limits the maximum shear rate that can be sustained in thin films compared to shear rates that can be attained in films bounded by rigid boundaries. In addition, to extend boundary slip studies on rigid surfaces, we use a smooth deformable droplet surface to probe the dependence of the boundary slip on fluid viscosity without the added complications of surface roughness or heterogeneity. Imposing a Navier slip model to characterize possible slip at the deformable oil-sucrose solution interface gives results that are consistent with a slip length of no larger than 10 nm over the range of solution viscosity studied, although an immobile (zero slip length) condition at the oil-sucrose solution interface is perfectly adequate. In high viscosity solutions, cantilever motion at high scan rates induces a significant cantilever deflection. A method has been developed to account for this effect in order to extract the correct dynamic force between the deformable drop and the particle.

Estimation of strain distribution using GPS measurements in the Kumaun region of Lesser Himalaya

The continuous process of continent–continent collision between the Indian and the Eurasian plates has led to the formation of the Himalayan range and continuously caused earthquakes in the region. Large earthquakes with magnitudes of 8 and above occur in this region infrequently, releasing the elastic strain accumulated over years around the plate boundary. Geodetic measurements can help estimate the strain distribution along the fault system. These measurements provide information on active deformations and associated potential seismic hazards along the Himalayan arc. In order to understand the present deformation around the plate boundary, we collected GPS data during three campaigns in the years of 2005–2007 at 16 sites in the Kumaun region of the Lesser Himalaya. Horizontal velocity vectors estimated in ITRF2000 are found to be in the range of 41–50 mm/yr with an uncertainty level of the order of 1 mm/yr. The velocity field indicates that the present convergence of around 15 mm/yr takes place in the Kumaun Himalaya. Further, we estimate the strain components in the study area for understanding the currently active tectonic process in the region. The estimated dilatational strain indicates that the northern part near the Main Central Thrust (MCT) is more compressional than the southern part. Maximum shear strain is mostly accommodated in the northern part too. The maximum shear and dilatational strain rates are about 1.0 and 0.5 μstrain/yr. It is seen that the distribution of high shear strain spatially correlates with seismicity. The maximum of extensional and compressional strains due to the force acting along the Main Central Thrust (MCT) in the NW–SE direction are found to be 0.4 and 0.1 μstrain/yr, respectively. The maximum shear strain in the northern part of the Himalaya appears to be associated with the convergence of the region proposed by other geophysical studies.

Sub‐population analysis of human cancer vaccine cells—ultra scale‐down characterization of response to shear

The allogeneic whole cell therapy field presents a novel challenge for cell line selection. Large numbers of candidates will he screened for desirable traits including cell growth rates and maintenance of critical product attributes. Screening cell lines for susceptibility to large scale processing conditions has become of increasing importance; innovators do not wish to face the quandary of clinically efficacious cell lines that show poor manufacturability. We have previously described an ultra scale-down method for assessing the impact of the hydrodynamic environment on human cells (McCoy et al., 2009). This body of work describes the validation of this experimental approach using a second, clinically tested, human prostate cancer cell line and describes an additional level of sub-population characterisation. The small-scale conditions set were similar to those expected in downstream process, formulation and vial filling operations with maximum shear rates ranging from 30 x 10(3) to 90 x 10(3) s(-1)(equivalent maximum power dissipation rates of 1.5 x 10(3) to 14 x 10(3) W kg(-1)). Changes to critical cell quality attributes such as membrane integrity retention, cell surface marker staining levels (CD9, CD59, CD147) and cell surface marker density is described. Evaluation of two sub-populations which are formed in response to shear showed distinct staining profiles. Identification of these phenotypically distinct populations, derived in response to the same hydrodynamic environment, poses an interesting bio-processing challenge with regards to both maintenance of product quality, but also highlights the potential benefit of process manipulation through shear-rate intervention with regards to product efficacy.

Rheological characterisation of cement pastes with nanosilica, silica fume and superplasticiser additions

This paper reports the effect of silica fume (SF), nanosilica (NS) and superplasticiser (SP) addition on the rheological behaviour of Portland cement pastes with different amounts of SF (0-10%), NS (1%) and SP (0-0·4%) and water to binder (W/B) ratio of 0·4. A rheometer with concentric cylinders geometry was used and the maximum shear rate of 100 s−1 was applied. SP decreased the hysteresis area, while SF and NS increased it. Samples with NS showed high slopes in descending curves, while samples with SF and high dosages of SP showed lower values. In both cases, the Bingham model resulted in negative values for the yield stress, so that the Herschel-Bulkley model was used instead. The spread values variation on flow table did not follow a linear regression model. For this investigation, commercially available SF and NS were used.

A method of superimposed triangulations for calculation of velocity gradient of horizontal movements: application to the Central Asian GPS network

A new method is proposed to define piecewise continuous fields of velocity gradients of recent horizontal movements of the Earth’s crust from spatially discrete data on horizontal velocities of such movements. The method is designed to identify spatial inhomogeneities in the field of horizontal strain rates (e.g., zones of localized deformation and boundaries between areas with different strain rates) in considerable detail. It is applied to determine the field of horizontal velocity gradient in the region of the Central Asian GPS network which covers vast territories of the Kyrgyz Tien-Shan and Pamirs mountain ranges, the T arim depression, and the Kazakh Shield (Fig. 1). Calculations are based on GPS survey data obtained at 308 sites from 1995 to 2006 (Fig. 4). The resolution of the proposed method is increased by using a triangulation grid which is much denser than a conventional one (Fig. 2 and 3). As a result, point x on the surface under study is covered by several triangles rather than one (Fig. 5). Strain characteristics at point x are calculated by weighted summation of corresponding characteristics in the cover triangles. Thus, for each point we estimate spin tensor W, which defines angular velocity ω, and components of horizontal strain rate tensor E. These components provide for direct calculation of orientation of principal axes and invariants of E, i.e. maximum stretching E1, maximum shortening E2, velocity divergence E=E1+E2, and maximum shear rates Γ=⎪E1−E2⎪/2 (Fig. 6 to 11). The calculated values are presented in maps which demonstrate that spatial distribution of such values is highly inhomogeneous. Regions with increased values of kinematic characteristics mentioned above stand out sharply against the background. At the same time, spatial distribution of the kinematical characteristics in the Tien Shan region is quite regular: zones of increased absolute values of E2 are mainly oriented in the ENE direction, while the NNW orientation dominates in zones of increased values of E1.

落下鍛造型粘度計で圧縮した半溶融Al-SiC複合材料の変形挙動

The rheological behavior of semi-solid Al-20vol% SiC alloy, i.e., Duralcan F3A. 20S, and the mother Al alloy A356 for the comparison was studied using a self-made parallel-plate drop-forge viscometer. The duration of an experiment can be less than 5ms at shear rates in excess of 10^4s^<-1>. In a typical experiment, the viscosity decreased in the early increasing shear rate stage and subsequently the viscosity increased as the shear rate decreased. Thus, the viscosity takes a minimum around the maximum shear rate. The decrease in viscosity accompanied with the increase in the shear rate depended on both rises in the temperature and the applied force, not the duration of shear. The summarized behavior between the viscosity, μ, and the shear rate, γ, may be described by a power-law model of μ=3.2×10^7γ^<-1.5> for Duralcan F3A. 20S and μ=1.6×10^7γ^<-1.5> for Al alloy A356. The power-law index is the same for both materials while the power-law constant of Duralcan F3A. 20S is around 2 times higher than that of mother alloy depending on a distribution of 20vol% of solid SiC particles. Judging from the results, the effective operating temperature is in the range of 580℃ to 582℃.

Ultra scale‐down studies of the effect of shear on cell quality; Processing of a human cell line for cancer vaccine therapy

Whole cell therapy is showing potential in the clinic for the treatment of many chronic diseases. The translation of laboratory-scale methods for cell harvesting and formulation to commercial-scale manufacturing offers major bioprocessing challenges. This is especially the case when the cell properties determine the final product effectiveness. This study is focused on developing an ultra scale-down method for assessing the impact of the hydrodynamic environment on human cells that constitute the therapeutic product. Small volumes of a prostate cancer cell line, currently being developed in late phase II clinical trials as an allogeneic whole cell vaccine therapy for prostate cancer, were exposed to hydrodynamic shear rates similar to those present in downstream process, formulation and vial filling operations. A small scale rotating disc shear device (20 mL) was used over a range of disc speeds to expose cells to maximum shear rates ranging from 90 x 10(3) to 175 x 10(3) s(-1) (equivalent maximum power dissipation rates of 14 x 10(3) to 52 x 10(3) W kg(-1)). These cells were subsequently analyzed for critical cell quality attributes such as the retention of membrane integrity and cell surface marker profile and density. Three cell surface markers (CD9, CD147, and HLAA-C) were studied. The cell markers exhibited different levels of susceptibility to hydrodynamic shear but in all cases this was less than or equal to the loss of membrane integrity. It is evident that the marker, or combination or markers, which might provide the required immunogenic response, will be affected by hydrodynamic shear environment during bioprocessing, if the engineering environment is not controlled to within the limits tolerated by the cell components.

Numerical Study of Shear-Induced Thrombus Formation Over Aterial Stent Struts

Thrombosis remains an important problem in both bare-metal and drug eluting stents. Platelet accumulation appears to be highly shear dependent in uniform parallel plate and stenosis models. This study was performed to evaluate thrombus formation location and size with respect to time for a stent. A three-dimensional laminar flow field was modeled via computational fluid dynamics through a stent-containing coronary sized vessel. Platelet deposition and accumulation was then simulated using a shear dependent accumulation function. The platelet deposition rate is given by the function: 3.2γ̇+67 platelets/mm2/s, where γ̇ is the shear rate, which comes from a linear regression to data presented in Ku and Flannery 2007. A three-dimensional stent with a helical strut matrix design and a pitch of 21 mm was designed around a 3 mm diameter vessel. Square strut designs of 0.15mm×0.15mm and 0.30mm×0.30mm were considered, with each strut embedded halfway into the vessel. A 30° section of the stent was modeled because of stent symmetry. The inlet was set at a mean Reynolds number of 200 by specifying a pressure differential across the length of the vessel. Thrombus growth based on shear rate was set through the equation: dΦ/dt=(3.2γ̇+67)(Vplatelet/V)∑n=0MAn. V is volume, Φ is the volume fraction of thrombus, M is the number of surrounding faces that are either a wall face or are neighboring a computational cell denoted as occluded by thrombus, associated with area, A. Each term without a subscript pertains to the local computational cell prescribed as undergoing thrombus growth. Thrombus cell occlusion was assumed to occur when thrombus filled 80% of the cell's volume. Maximum shear rates occur near the edges along the inner blood surface side of the stent struts. Thrombus growth increases more in the axial direction of the stent relative to the radial direction for the larger strut size. Conversely, the thrombus growth is more uniform in all directions along the smaller struts. The difference emanates from the two distinctly localized high shear contours near the edges of the larger stent struts, while the high shear regions were less distinct for the smaller strut size. Quadrupling the cross sectional area of a strut increases the initial maximum shear rate along the strut by 50%, in addition to doubling the available surface area for platelet deposition. Therefore, increasing strut size has a threefold effect on platelet deposition rate, leading to faster vessel occlusion. This computational technique may be extended to approximate where thrombus may grow to completely occlude a blood vessel and the length of time occlusion would take. The CFD modeling technique may also be used to evaluate thrombus deposition on medical devices such as heart valves and ventricular assist devices.