Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Biological Flows

1
Experimental and Numerical Simulation of
Biological Flows Investigators F. Loth, P.F.
Fischer T. J. Royston, Mechanical Industrial
Engineering Prime Grant Support NIH, Whitaker,
American Syringomyelia Alliance Project
Problem Statement and Motivation

• Simulation of biological fluid dynamics provides
  a tool to investigate the importance of
  biomechanical factors in the development and
  progression of disease.
• Blood fluid dynamics has been shown to play a
  role in the initiation and development of
  arterial disease.
• Cerebral spinal fluid motion is thought to play
  an important role in craniospinal disorders.
• Patient specific simulations may provide useful
  clinical information about these diseases for
  surgical planning.

Key Achievements and Future Goals
Technical Approach

• Subject specific geometry and flow boundary
  conditions are obtained from medical imaging
  (MRI, CT, US) from collaborators Oshinski (Emory)
  and Bassiouny (U of C).
• Image segmentation and 3D rendering of the
  vessel geometry is done using software developed
  in house in close collaboration with Fischer
  (Argonne National Lab) .
• Upscaled optically clear flow models are
  constructed using rapid prototype technology and
  velocities are measured by laser Doppler
  anemometry.
• Hexahedral meshes are built using in house
  software and both laminar and transitional flow
  are simulated using the spectral element method
  (nek5000).

• First simulations of transitional flow within a
  stenosed carotid artery arteriovenous graft
  (AV) based on subject specific images.
• First numerical simulations of cerebrospinal
  fluid motion within the spinal canal.
• First experimental simulation of cerebrospinal
  fluid motion within the spinal canal with
  syringomyelia
• Future Goals 1) Streamline the overall
  simulation process to increase turn around time
  2) Develop code and experimental validation
  techniques for simulations with compliant walls.