EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF PULSATILE FLOW PASSING SIDE WALL BIOLOGICAL CAVITIESAND FLOW ENHANCEMENT USING HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE

Understanding the hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system and associated diseases is important for mitigating health risks. We applied flow diagnostic techniques to investigate pulsatile flow characteristics past sidewall cavities, which have implications to two biomedical problems in the cardiovascular system: sidewall aneurysms and the left atrial appendage. Superhydrophobically-coated mesh diverters and synthetic slippery surfaces were studied for their effects on flow diversion and cavity flow enhancements. The study of pulsatile flow over a coated mesh diverter showed that the formation of the primary vortex was prevented which prevents flow stagnation and downwash flow in the cavity. The second study indicates that the healthy heart cycle is essential to reducing flow stasis inside the left atrial appendage. After applying a synthetic slippery surface to the interior of a side wall cavity model, this surface reduced the wall shear stress and allowed vortical flow to reach deeper into the cavity.