血管分岐部血流の数値的可視化

抄録

In the present study, the results of an attempt to estimate the flow field, pressure, and wall shear stress distribution patterns at arterial bifurcations of various configurations are shown with videotape and discussed with respect to pathogenesis of vascular disorders. The three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible Newtonian fluid flow were solved by a finite volume method with the generalized curvilinear coordinate system, or the body-fitted coordinate (BFC) system. Models were two dimensional and had various branching angle and mother-daughter diameter ratio. The boundary conditions specified are : steady and pulsatile fully developed flow at the inflow cross-section, a non slip condition at the rigid wall and zero pressure with zero velocity gradient at the outlet cross-section. Obtained results were displayed using color computer graphics and animation technique. Complex vortices were always found at the bifurcation regardless the branching angle. It is necessary to take them into account when discussing the development of atherosclerosis, since the progression of the disease may be significantly altered by these flow patterns.