Computer modeling of different shaped patches in classical carotid endarterectomy

Objective: to construct geometric models of carotid bifurcation and build a computer modeling for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) operations with patches of various configurations.Materials and methods. The method uses reconstructed models of a healthy blood vessel obtained from a preoperative computed tomography (CT) study of the affected blood vessel of a particular patient. Flow in the vessel is simulated by computational fluid dynamics using data from the patient's ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry and CT angiography. Risk factors are assessed by hemodynamic indices at the vessel wall associated with Wall Shear Stress (WSS).Results. We used the proposed method to study the hemodynamic results of 10 virtual CEA operations with patches of various shapes on a reconstructed healthy artery of a particular patient. The reason for patch implantation was to ensure that the vessel lumen is not narrowed as a result of the surgery, since closing the incision without a patch can reduce the vessel lumen circumference by 4–5 mm, which adversely affects blood flow. On the other hand, too wide a patch creates aneurysmorphic deformation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) mouth, which is not optimal due to formation of a large recirculation zone. In this case, it was found that the implanted patch width of about 3 mm provides an optimal hemodynamic outcome. Deviations from this median value, both upward and downward, impair hemodynamics. The absence of a patch gives the worst of the results considered.Conclusion: The proposed computer modeling technique is able to provide a personalized patch selection for classical CEA with low risk of restenosis in the long-term follow-up.

Flow Velocity Distribution Towards Flowmeter Accuracy: CFD, UDV, and Field Tests

Inconsistences regarding flow measurements in real hydraulic circuits have been detected. Intensive studies stated that these errors are mostly associated to flowmeters, and the low accuracy is connected to the perturbations induced by the system layout. In order to verify the source of this problem, and assess the hypotheses drawn by operator experts, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3.b, was used. To validate the results provided by the numerical model, intensive experimental campaigns were developed using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (UDV) as calibration, and a pumping station was simulated using as boundary conditions the values measured in situ. After calibrated and validated, a new layout/geometry was proposed in order to mitigate the observed perturbations.

Effect of Single-Ruler Electromagnetic Braking (EMBr) Location on Transient Flow in Continuous Casting

Ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry measurements and large eddy simulations were conducted on a laboratory-scale physical model of a steel continuous slab caster with a low-melting alloy, both with and without an applied single-ruler magnetic field in one of two different vertical orientations. The computational model agreed very closely with the measurements in all respects, including time-averaged flow, velocity profiles, and transient velocity histories at specific locations. The magnetic field altered both the classic double-roll flow pattern and the flow stability. Lowering the magnetic field below the nozzle caused steeper downward jet angles, lower surface velocities, lower turbulent kinetic energy at the surface, and better flow stability, especially toward the surface, and at higher frequencies. The experimental and computational results both show that the electromagnetic field should not be placed with its maximum directly across the nozzle ports, where it may aggravate unstable flow.