clotFoam: An open-source framework to simulate blood clot formation under arterial flow

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Hematology

Background:

• Blood clotting is a complex process involving platelet aggregation and coagulation.
• Simulating clotting under flow in intricate geometries presents significant computational challenges due to scale and cost.
• Existing models often lack the comprehensive approach needed for realistic flow conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce clotFoam, an open-source software for simulating blood clotting.
• To provide a computational framework for modeling platelet dynamics and coagulation.
• To enable reliable simulations of blood clotting in complex geometries.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a continuum model for platelet advection, diffusion, and aggregation.
• Incorporates a simplified coagulation model with advection, diffusion, and reaction of proteins.
• Employs reactive boundary conditions for wall-bound species interactions.
• Developed within the OpenFOAM framework for fluid dynamics simulations.

Main Results:

• Demonstrates a foundational framework for advanced blood clotting simulations.
• Facilitates the integration of complex biological processes within a dynamic fluid environment.
• Offers a versatile tool for research in hemorheology and thrombosis.

Conclusions:

• clotFoam provides a robust and adaptable platform for blood clotting simulations.
• The software supports the development of more complex models for diverse applications.
• Enables reliable and computationally efficient simulations in various domains.