Obtaining Vortex Formation in Blood Flow by Particle Tracking: Echo-PV Methods and Computer Simulation

Abstract

Micrometer-sized particles are widely introduced as fluid flow markers in experimental studies of convective flows. The tracks of such particles demonstrate a high contrast in the optical range and well illustrate the direction of fluid flow at local vortices. This study addresses the theoretical justification on the use of large particles for obtaining vortex phenomena and its characterization in stenotic arteries by the Echo Particle Velocimetry method. Calcite particles with an average diameter of 0.15 mm were chosen as a marker of streamlines using a medical ultrasound device. The Euler–Euler model of particle motion was applied to simulate the mechanical behavior of calcite particles and 20 µm aluminum particles. The accuracy of flow measurement at vortex regions was evaluated by computational fluid dynamics methods. The simulation results of vortex zone formation obtained by Azuma and Fukushima (1976) for aluminum particles with the use of the optical velocimetry method and calcite particles were compared. An error in determining the size of the vortex zone behind of stenosis does not exceed 5%. We concluded that the application of large-size particles for the needs of in vitro studies of local hemodynamics is possible.