Haemodynamic information is believed to be one of the most crucial factors affecting the initiation, development, growth, and rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Many studies of haemodynamic simulation contribute to the understanding of aneurysmal flow dynamics; however, clarification and justification of the validity of simulation results inconclusive remains. Besides, for most simulations of flow-diversion effect using a model flow-diverting (FD) stent, the properties of model FD stents failed to be calibrated to match the represented device, which would lead to inaccurate predictions of flow-diversion efficacy. Thus, this study aims to discover the factors that contribute to a more accurate and comprehensive simulation of aneurysmal haemodynamics and its flow-diversion treatment. Two main aspects were investigated in this thesis : 1) evaluation of the accuracy of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions of aneurysmal haemodynamics before and after FD stent treatment, by comparing to in vivo and in vitro observation s; and 2 ) investigation of the practicality of using porous medium (PM) stent models, with calibrati on of stent model parameters to represent the commercially available FD stents, by derivation of parameters like permeability (k) that account for the flow resistance induced by the model stent.
To meet these needs, haemodynamic investigations of IAs and their flow-diversion treatments have been performed using different approaches. In Chapter 3 and 4, the validity of CFD predictions of aneurysmal haemodynamics was evaluated, by comparing the resolved velocity field in patient-specific aneurysms with experimental methods, such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PCMRI). By comparing against a physical stent model, the PM model stent was found to be a practical tool to assist flow-iversion simulation. In Chapter 5 and 6, the PM model thickness range that would help to retain the simulation benefits without compromising the accuracy was first confirmed; then PM model FD stents were respectively calibrated to reflect the flow resistance created by several treatment modes using commercially available FD stents. Overall, CFD prediction is proved to be able to accurately resolve the aneurysmal flow dynamics , and the investigation of calibrated PM stent modelling provides an individualised method that is more efficient than CFD simulations with a fully-resolved stent model yet retains simulation accuracy. These studies substantially contribute to an improved validity of aneurysmal haemodynamic simulation, thereby enhancing the clinical relevance of such aneurysmal haemodynamic studies in the future.
History
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Materials and methods -- Chapter 3. Haemodynamics in a patient-specific intracranial aneurysm obtained from experimental and numerical approaches: a comparison between PIV, CFD, and PC MRI -- Chapter 4. Validation of CFD model results against PIV observations of haemodynamics in intracranial aneurysms treated with a flow-diverting stent -- Chapter 5. Sensitivity of aneurysmal haemodynamics to porous medium stent modelling setting -- Chapter 6. Effect of calibrated porous medium flow-diverting stent models on aneurysmal haemodynamic modifications -- Chapter 7. Conclusions and outlook.
Notes
Theoretical thesis.
Bibliography: pages 109-118
Awarding Institution
Macquarie University
Degree Type
Thesis PhD
Degree
PhD, Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Department, Centre or School
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Year of Award
2018
Principal Supervisor
Itsu (Yi Qian) Sen
Rights
Copyright Yujie Li 2018.
Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyright