Application of Immersed Boundary Method for Physiological Flow Analysis in 2D Stenosed Artery

Abstract

In this dissertation, numerical analysis of blood flow in a two dimensional constricted artery channel with the help of Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) is demonstrated for both steady and unsteady flow conditions. SOLA technique, which is based on FDM, is employed to solve the fluid flow equations and IBM is used to track and interpolate boundary conditions at the curved boundary. The IBM used in this work is similar to that of Kumar et al. The two dimensional constricted artery channel mimics the model of canine femoral artery used by Daly. The fluid properties are also similar to that of canine blood. The steady flow analysis is performed using a Reynolds number of 293.43, which corresponds to the average velocity of the pulsatile flow published by McDonald. For unsteady flow analysis, the physiological flow of canine femoral artery published by McDonald is used directly. Both studies have been performed for various constriction sizes. Results from the numerical simulation reveal that the length of flow reversal zone and the wall shear stress are directly proportional to the degree of occlusion in the arterial channel for both steady and unsteady flow. These factors can further lead to an aggressive plaque deposition in a real artery which can worsen the ailment for a diseased person. The results of the study have medical significance as it could predict the threshold for surgical intervention.