In-vitro pulsatile flow visualization studies were conducted in an adult-sized pulmonary artery model to observe the effects of valvular pulmonic stenosis on the flow fields of the main, left and right pulmonary arteries. The flow patterns revealed that as the degree of stenosis increased, the jet-type flow created by the valve became narrower, and it impinged on the far (distal) wall of the left pulmonary artery further downstream from the junction of the bifurcation. This in turn led to larger regions of disturbed turbulent flow, as well as helical-type secondary flow motions in the left pulmonary artery, compared to the right pulmonary artery. The flow field in the main pulmonary artery also became more disturbed and turbulent, especially during peak systole and the deceleration phase. The flow visualization observations have been valuable in helping to conduct further quantitative studies such as pressure and velocity field mapping. Such studies are important to understanding the fluid mechanics characteristics of the main pulmonary artery and its two major branches.
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November 1985
Research Papers
In-Vitro Pulsatile Flow Visualization Studies in a Pulmonary Artery Model
E. Philpot,
E. Philpot
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
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A. P. Yoganathan,
A. P. Yoganathan
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
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H.-W. Sung,
H.-W. Sung
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
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Y.-R. Woo,
Y.-R. Woo
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
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R. H. Franch,
R. H. Franch
Department of Cardiology, Emory University Medical School, Atlanta, Ga. 30322
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D. J. Sahn,
D. J. Sahn
Pediatric Cardiology, University of California San Diego Medical School, San Diego, Calif. 92103
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L. Valdez-Cruz
L. Valdez-Cruz
Pediatric Cardiology, University of California San Diego Medical School, San Diego, Calif. 92103
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E. Philpot
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
A. P. Yoganathan
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
H.-W. Sung
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
Y.-R. Woo
Bio Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. 30332
R. H. Franch
Department of Cardiology, Emory University Medical School, Atlanta, Ga. 30322
D. J. Sahn
Pediatric Cardiology, University of California San Diego Medical School, San Diego, Calif. 92103
L. Valdez-Cruz
Pediatric Cardiology, University of California San Diego Medical School, San Diego, Calif. 92103
J Biomech Eng. Nov 1985, 107(4): 368-375 (8 pages)
Published Online: November 1, 1985
Article history
Received:
April 29, 1985
Revised:
August 12, 1985
Online:
June 15, 2009
Citation
Philpot, E., Yoganathan, A. P., Sung, H., Woo, Y., Franch, R. H., Sahn, D. J., and Valdez-Cruz, L. (November 1, 1985). "In-Vitro Pulsatile Flow Visualization Studies in a Pulmonary Artery Model." ASME. J Biomech Eng. November 1985; 107(4): 368–375. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3138571
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