Client
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Project Objectives
- Measure the velocity and vorticity fields of blood flow through an angioplasty blood filter in a simulated artery using particle image velocimtery (PIV)
- The velocity field through the filter is important because it dictates the movement of plaque particles through the filter. The vorticity field is critical because regions of high vorticity in blood have been found to initiate clotting and the formation of a thrombosis which and can coat the filter.
Summary of Project and Results (Non-Confidential)
- Constructed a simulated arterial blood filter flow system. The system matched the Reynolds number of blood flow through a filter, yet was significantly larger to increase the spatial resolution for the PIV system. The viscosity and density of an aqueous solution was adjusted to match the Reynolds number.
- A Particle Image Velocimetry System (PIV) was assembled using a pulsed Nd-YAG frequency doubled laser, macroscopic optics, silver particles, and commercial particle tracking software
- The system successfully measured the velocity and vorticity fields to the required resolutions
Particle Image Velocimetry System (PIV)