An LDA and flow visualization study of pulsatile flow in an aortic bifurcation model.

The structure of pulsatile flow in a rigid aortic bifurcation model was studied by means of a flow visualization technique and three-dimensional laser-Doppler anemometry. The model was made of glass, having the same shape as that of the average human aortic bifurcation. It was installed into a mock circulatory loop that generated physiological pulsatile flow. Flow separation was observed during accelerated and decelerated flow periods. Double helical flow existed inside the flow separation in the early accelerated flow period. In the decelerated flow period, disturbed flow appeared behind the separation zone. Flow was strongly disturbed during the back flow period, and then was gradually stabilized in the forward flow period. The flow separation and the disturbances released from the flow separation zone greatly influenced near-wall velocities along the lateral wall. The wave form of the near-wall velocity in the flow separation zone was much different from that observed in the aortic portion and behind the separation zone; for example, the magnitude of the negative peak velocity in the direction of the tube axis was larger than that of the positive one, and mean velocity in a cycle was very low. This abnormal phasic change of the near-wall velocity may be associated with atherogenesis. The three-dimensional velocity measurement is very useful for the detailed analysis of near-wall velocity patterns.