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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling
Published on: November 3, 2015
Computational Modeling of Flow in an in Vitro Cerebrovascular Model Under Pulsatile Conditions with Experimental
Boyang Su1, Brent A Craven2, Cody J Kubicki1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Insights
This study validates computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) biomechanics using an in vitro model. CFD accurately predicts blood flow and pressure, crucial for understanding clot migration in cerebrovasculature.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) involves blood clot obstruction in cerebrovasculature, leading to potential brain damage.
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) offers insights into AIS biomechanics, including clot migration, surpassing medical imaging limitations.
- Validating CFD simulations with experimental data is essential for reliable computational modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an in vitro experimental model simulating pulsatile flow in the aorta and cerebrovasculature.
- To compare experimental measurements with CFD simulations for accuracy in predicting hemodynamic parameters.
- To establish a foundation for advanced CFD modeling of clot migration in AIS.
Main Methods:
- An in vitro model replicating aortic and cerebrovascular pulsatile flow was created.
- A blood analog fluid was used under physiological flow conditions driven by a piston pump.
- Experimental measurements of pressure and flow rate were acquired to validate CFD simulations.
Main Results:
- CFD predictions for time-averaged pressure at outlets showed agreement within 8% of experimental data.
- CFD predictions for time-averaged flow rate at outlets were within 1% of experimental measurements.
- The study confirmed the accuracy of CFD in simulating complex cardiovascular fluid dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The developed experimental model and validated CFD approach show significant potential for studying embolus migration in the brain.
- This work paves the way for enhanced understanding of AIS biomechanics through validated computational modeling.
- Future research will focus on simulating clot migration to inform AIS treatment strategies.
Purpose:
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been widely used to understand various cardiovascular diseases such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which occurs when a blood clot lodges in the cerebrovasculature and obstructs blood flow that may lead to brain damage or death. Compared with medical imaging, CFD can predict hemodynamics and clot migration, which are crucial in better understanding the biomechanics of AIS. To rely on computational modeling, however, the simulations need to be validated by comparing with experiments METHODS: In this study, we develop an in vitro experimental model of pulsatile flow in the aorta and cerebrovasculature. The model was filled with a blood analog fluid and pulsatile flow was driven by a piston pump to generate realistic physiological flow conditions. Experimental measurements of the time-varying pressure and flow rate were acquired and are used to validate corresponding CFD simulations RESULTS: CFD predictions of the time-averaged pressure at the outlets are shown to be within 8% of the experimental measurements, while the time-averaged flow rate is within 1%.
Conclusions:
This work demonstrates a promising capability for modeling embolus migration and lodging in the brain. Future work will validate simulations of clot migration that may be used to better understand AIS biomechanics and treatment options.
