Case Study:

Separated Flow Over A Truncated Pyramid

Client:

In-House

Project Scope:

Research & Development

Methods:

Flow Visualization, Fluid Dynamics, Design & Testing

The above photos show an example of flow separation. The flow is from left to right and the flow behind the pyramid is random and chaotic.

Flow separation causes excess drag and pressure drop in many products and systems. In the second photo, the flow is slower, and the pyramid is shedding vortices.

Case Study:

Computed Flow Over Land Speed Record Car

Client:

In-House

Project Scope:

Research & Development

Methods:

Computational Fluid Dynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Design & Testing

The image shows velocity contours over a jet powered car designed to win back the land speed record set by the British Thrust SSC car in 1997. The design was developed by Bill Fredericks, who designed the Budweiser Rocket Car that broke the sound barrier in 1979. The flow around the car was simulated using a commercial finite element code, Floworks.

This simulation involves the solution of the three dimensional, steady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations with Newtonian viscosity. The computational domain was chosen to simulate the environment as closely as possible and to make the boundary conditions, especially the problematic ground boundary condition. This simulation led to a number of improvements in the vehicle design.

Case Study:

Pulsatile Flow Through an Arterial Stent

Client:

In-House

Project Scope:

Research & Development

Methods:

Flow Visualization, Fluid Dynamics, Design & Testing

By looking at the flow through a stent, a better understanding of the reasons for restenosis can be understood. Flometrics evaluated a new type of stent under development and compared it to the market leader at the time. The first image above shows the market leading product in a transparent silicone rubber artery. The second image shows what portion of the stent is being visualized. The flow is seeded with fluorescent particles and illuminated by laser sheet light.

The third image shows the flow and the stent with respect to the artery wall under pulsatile flow. The video of the stent exit and similar flow visualization videos can be valuable when proving the efficacy of a medical device to the FDA.

Case Study:

Flow Visualization of Arteries

Client:

In-House

Project Scope:

Research & Development

Methods:

Flow Visualization, Fluid Dynamics, Design & Testing

Computed Flow Through Cerebral Aneurysm

Particle paths of the computed flow through a cerebral aneurysm. The flow was simulated using a commercial finite element code.

The second image is a cross section showing the pressure contours in the cerebral aneurysm. By combining CFD and flow visualization, Flometrics can analyze flows with accuracy and confidence.

Flow Visualization of Arteries

Flometrics has developed a technique for visualization of the flow within artificial arteries. This allow manufacturers of stents, valves and atherectomy devices to see how their devices affect the flow of blood in the body.

We have developed silicone rubber arteries with realistic compliance, curvature and excellent visibility. We can supply arbitrary pressure waveforms with our pressure pulse generator.

The flow within the artery is visualized using a proprietary technique similar to the laser sheet light technique. We can show the flow pattern around catheters, valves, stents, balloons and grafts with this technique.

Shown at right is a photo of the flow pattern in a carotid bifurcation. (Thanks to Dr. David Levy for the artery model and advice.)

In the movie below, the flow in an aneurysm is visualized. The slow flow rate and low shear levels inside the aneurysm may stimulate the growth of the aneurysm.

These flow visualizations can be valuable in showing the efficacy of medical devices and proving out conceptual design without expensive clinical studies. For situations like flow in an artery, flow visualization shows the flow pattern quickly and accurately.

The flow within the artery is visualized using a proprietary technique similar to the laser sheet light technique. We can show the flow pattern around catheters, valves, stents, balloons and grafts with this technique.