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CFD and Biomedical Engineering

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) provides a non-invasive tool to perform physiological flow analyses in the cardiovascular system. Possible applications range from simple studies such as arterial bifurcations, aneurysms and stenoses to more complex configurations like prosthetic heart valves, catheters or artificial organs. Whether it is used to predict vascular surgery outcome, arterial disease evolution or medical device performances, CFD techniques can often provide accurate flow information that would not be otherwise available through in vivo or in vitro measurements. In addition, CFD simulations are generally faster and more cost effective than traditional laboratory experiments. Applications of CFD have successfully involved catheter implants, miniature fluid pumps, breathing devices or artificial hearts. Medical Device Optimization

Among the wide range of possible applications in biomedical engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics can play a significant role in the design and optimization of medical devices. For example, CFD simulations have helped design mechanical heart valves and obtain flow structure data in regions inaccessible experimentally such as the socket area. CFD has been used effectively in the development and optimization of a blood cardioplegia device, predicting heat transfer and flow characteristics before prototypes are fabricated. Based on numerical simulations, water and blood flow paths in the heat exchanger are optimized to yield superior heat transfer performance with a minimal energy exchange surface. Experimental measurements have confirmed the validity of the results from the CFD analysis.

Assessing Catheter Placement - Superior Vena Cava

CFD provides a noninvasive tool to assess catheter placement in the central venous system. Numerical simulations of blood flow around the catheter can be used to predict pressure and viscous forces acting on the device. This type of information is critical for catheter displacement evaluation inside the vein and possible damage to the vessel wall. CFD techniques produce fluid-structure interaction data usually not available directly from in vivo or in vitro measurements Transient Heart Valve Simulations

CFD is effective tool used in the design of mechanical heart valves, and can obtain flow structure data in regions inaccessible experimentally, such as the socket area. Numerical simulations also provide important information on locations of high shear rates in the flow, which are known to play a significant role in damaging blood cells. Fluid-structure interaction techniques are used to simulate the physiological behavior of the prosthetic heart valve during the cardiac cycle and improve the overall accuracy and smoothness of the flow solution.

More Biomedical CFD Applications Bi-Leaflet Heart Valve

Analysis of the On-X bi-leaflet heart valve investigating the unsteady blood flow in the hinge area to determine the “washing” characteristics of the valve.

Blood Pump Simulation

Simulation of a diaphragm type blood pump, determining flow patterns and local shear stress within the pump chamber.

Intravenous Device

Various transient simulations of a 3D intravenous delivery device for simultaneous blood draw and medicine introduction.

Cartridge Flow Device

Development of several cartridge flow device designs, determining the optimal configuration to eliminate flow stagnation areas.

Blood Clot Removal Simulation

Transient simulation of blood clot removal using a multi-species transport approach.

Blood Pump Simulation

Simulation of an impeller type blood pump, determining flow patterns and local shear stress within the pump chamber.

CFD2000 Software Adaptive Research utilizes the CFD2000 software system to perform engineering contract work. CFD2000 is an integrated program providing the necessary tools for simulating real engineering applications. The system includes modules for geometry creation and mesh generation, a Navier-Stokes equation solver, and advanced scientific visualization.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) What Is CFD?

Computational Fluid Dynamics is a powerful engineering tool for simulating all types of fluid flows. CFD simulations produce detailed descriptions of flow characteristics including values for velocities, pressures, and other variables. Thermal characteristics and other advanced physics, like chemical reactions, particle flow, free-surface flow, can also be simulated. Why use CFD?

Computational Fluid Dynamics can significantly reduce design and development time, provide detailed information otherwise not available from physical experiments, and quickly simulate a wide range of flow conditions. The results are improved designs, lower risk, and shorter time to market for a product or process. How does CFD work?

CFD simulations involve solving numerically the fundamental laws of physics, called governing equations, which mathematically describe the properties and motion of fluids. The CFD modeling process occurs in three fundamental steps.

Contact Adaptive Research To learn more about engineering services or the CFD2000 software offered by Adaptive Research, please call, e-mail, or visit our website. E-mail: arsales@adaptive-research.com Web: www.adaptive-research.com

Geometric/Mesh Model

Creation

Solution Analysis Visualization

1 2 3 Numerically

Solving Navier-Stokes Equations