Computational fluid dynamic simulation to assess flow characteristics of an in vitro aneurysm model
- 1Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics Research Center, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware, USA
- 2Department of Biological Sciences, Applied Mathematics Research Center, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware, USA
- 3Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Applied Mathematics Research Center, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware, USA
- 4War-Related Illness and Injury Center, VA Medical Center, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
- 5Department of Mathematical Sciences, Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 6Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 7Department of Neurological Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 8Department of Radiology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Correspondence to Dr C J Prestigiacomo, Departments of Neurological Surgery and Radiology, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 90 Bergen Street, Suite 8100, Newark, NJ 07101, USA; c.prestigiacomo{at}umdnj.edu
- Received 31 March 2009
- Revised 7 August 2009
- Accepted 10 August 2009
- Published Online First 30 October 2009
Abstract
Background Modifications of in vitro aneurysm modeling to study the effects of morphology on flow dynamics are time consuming, costly and analysis tends to be more qualitative than quantitative. This study develops a virtual two-dimensional flow model replicating an in vitro aneurysm model and analyzes how changes in morphology modify flow characteristics.
Methods Using finite volume analysis, a two-dimensional saccular aneurysm model was created with a configuration matching a published, experimental, in vitro model. Qualitative comparisons were made determining whether a two-dimensional fluid dynamic model can replicate the results of an in vitro model. Quantitative changes in flow patterns, wall shear stress, dynamic pressure and maximum velocities were assessed by modifying the shape of the neck and proximal dome without modifying the overall size of the aneurysm.
Results A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model reproducing the shape of a published aneurysm demonstrated excellent qualitative fidelity to an in vitro flow model. Additional information regarding dynamic pressure, shear stress and velocity along the aneurysm neck and within the aneurysm dome were determined. Although all dimensions were kept constant, slight modifications of the neck and proximal dome resulted in quantitative changes in studied parameters, such as wall shear stress and dynamic pressure.
Conclusions Computer generated aneurysm flow models, when carefully developed, reproduce flow events within in vitro aneurysms providing objective data on biophysical parameters. Effective flow modeling of aneurysms depends on flow input, size of the parent vessel and aneurysm, and other factors. These data suggest that neck and proximal dome configuration, independent of size, are important characteristics of flow.
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Funding This research was supported in part by DoD grant DAAD19-03-1-0375 (DAL), the National Science Foundation grant DMS 98-03605 (DAL), National Science Foundation Grant DMS 07-08977 (MS) and the Foundation at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (DAL).
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Competing interests None.
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Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
