Arterial Pressure Drop Calculation Using Steady CFD Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current in silico methods for diagnosing heart conditions, such as fractional flow reserve (FFR), require extensive computational resources and time due to the need for high mesh density and transient CFD simulations, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing steady-state CFD simulations to separate pressure drop into steady-state and transient components, allowing for faster and accurate diagnostic assessments of heart conditions by calculating the FFR index without the need for high computational effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transient CFD simulations with high mesh density are used for diagnostic assessment, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but computational time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure drop calculation is segmented into two independent components: steady-state pressure loss (Δp_s) calculated using steady CFD simulations, and transient pressure loss (Δp_t) calculated using a simplified formula based on flow rate derivatives. This segmentation allows each component to be computed separately with appropriate methods, avoiding the need for full transient simulations while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the simulation approach from transient to steady-state by separating the pressure drop into steady and transient components. The steady component is calculated using steady CFD simulations with optimized mesh density, while the transient component is derived from flow rate measurements and a simplified inertial formula, fundamentally changing how the problem is solved.
2Measurement precision
If transient CFD simulations with high mesh density are used for diagnostic assessment, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but computational resource consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation is divided into a steady-state component requiring minimal computational resources and a transient component requiring no CFD simulation. This segmentation dramatically reduces energy consumption while preserving the accuracy needed for diagnostic assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical transient CFD simulation system with a hybrid approach combining steady-state CFD results and a simplified inertial calculation formula. This substitution eliminates the need for computationally intensive transient simulations while maintaining diagnostic precision.
3Productivity
If steady-state CFD simulations are used instead of transient simulations, then productivity and simulation speed are improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressure drop into steady and transient components, the invention captures both steady flow characteristics (via steady CFD) and unsteady inertial effects (via the simplified formula), achieving high simulation speed without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a composite approach combining steady-state CFD simulation results with a transient inertial calculation formula. This composite method leverages the strengths of both approaches: the accuracy of steady simulations and the ability to capture transient effects, achieving both speed and precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention is a computer-implemented method for a calculation of a pressure drop between cross-sections of aorta, coronary, carotid, renal, or peripheral artery. The method comprises steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and separates of the pressure drop into components: a steady-state pressure loss and a transient pressure loss. The former is presented as a linear combination of pressures (zero-flow, viscous and local resistance) and the latter is computed in accordance with the second law of motion. In embodiments, the steady-state pressure loss includes similarity invariants (Euler, Lagrange, and Reynolds numbers). The invention provides fast in silico evaluation of a human heart condition (including fractional flow reserve) and was positively evaluated using clinical trials.