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Updated: May 14, 2026
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Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
Coupled finite difference and boundary element methods for fluid flow through a vessel with multibranches in tumours
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Summary
This study presents a mathematical model to simulate fluid flow in 3D tumor vasculature. The findings reveal key features of the tumor
Area of Science:
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Biomedical engineering
- Mathematical modeling
Background:
- Tumor vasculature is complex and heterogeneous.
- Understanding fluid dynamics within tumors is crucial for drug delivery and treatment efficacy.
- Existing models may not fully capture the intricate flow patterns in 3D tumor microenvironments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive mathematical model for simulating blood flow in 3D permeable tumor vessels.
- To investigate the influence of various tumor vascular structures on fluid dynamics.
- To provide insights into the tumor flow environment.
Main Methods:
- A coupled numerical solution procedure combining the finite difference method (for vessel flow) and the boundary element method (for tumor interstitium flow).
- Incorporation of Poisseuille's law (vessel flow), Darcy's law (interstitium flow), and Starling's law (transvascular flux).
- Imposition of pressure continuity and mass conservation at vessel junctions.
Main Results:
- Simulation of fluid flow fields within a 3D permeable vessel network embedded in a solid tumor.
- Detailed analysis of flow characteristics in representative tumor vasculature structures: symmetrical dichotomous branching, asymmetrical bifurcation, and trifurcation.
- Visualization of pressure distributions and flow velocity fields to elucidate tumor flow dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The developed model effectively simulates complex fluid flow in tumor vasculature.
- The study highlights the impact of vascular architecture on the tumor's internal flow environment.
- Results offer a foundation for further research into optimizing therapeutic strategies targeting tumor perfusion.
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