Medical imaging and computational flow models in deformable ducts

Abstract

Fluids, especially physiological fluids, either incompressible such as blood or compressible such as air, can flow through strongly deformed vessels in certain circumstances. In particular, veins and intrathoracic segments of the respiratory tract can collapse when they experience strong external pressure. In addition, the digestive tract launches an active peristaltism, i.e., unidirectional waves of radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation of mural smooth muscles, to propel nutrients to destination.