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Flow in a simple model skeletal muscle ventricle: comparison between numerical and physical simulations
F S Henry1, A P Shortland, F Iudicello
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, City University, United Kingdom.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Vortices form during ventricular filling, aiding fluid transport and potentially reducing residence time. Computational fluid dynamics validated against physical models show good agreement in vortex center trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular fluid dynamics
- Biomechanical engineering
Background:
- Ventricular filling generates complex flow patterns, including vortices.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing cardiac function and mass transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate flow patterns during ventricular filling.
- To validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models against physical experiments.
- To analyze the mass-transport properties of vortices.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations using CFD software.
- Physical flow visualization experiments under identical conditions.
- Comparison of particle pathlines and vortex center trajectories.
Main Results:
- A vortex forms at the ventricle inlet and travels towards the apex during filling.
- CFD model showed good agreement with physical model for vortex center trajectories.
- Vortex transit generated time-dependent wall shear stress, peaking at 20 dynes cm-2.
Conclusions:
- Vortex formation and travel are key features of ventricular filling.
- CFD is a valid tool for studying these complex flow dynamics.
- Vortex motion may enhance fluid mixing and reduce residence time in the ventricle.