A continuum theory of blood flow.

The mechanics of blood flow from a continuum point of view is considered. The basic laws of motion are reviewed and a set of constitutive equations appropriate for blood flow are derived. The thermodynamics of blood is studied and some restrictions on the coefficients of viscosity are derived. The theory allows for local variation of hematocrit in the flow and also indicates the possibility of supporting shear stress in zero shear rate. A simple free energy function is postulated and the basic equations of motion are derived and some special cases are discussed.