A 3D porous media liver lobule model: the importance of vascular septa and anisotropic permeability for homogeneous perfusion
File(s)Debbaut et al_revised version - for spiral.pdf (2.1 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The hepatic blood circulation is complex, particularly at the microcirculatory level. Previously, 2D liver lobule models using porous media and a 3D model using real sinusoidal geometries have been developed. We extended these models to investigate the role of vascular septa (VS) and anisotropic permeability. The lobule was modelled as a hexagonal prism (with or without VS) and the tissue was treated as a porous medium (isotropic or anisotropic permeability). Models were solved using computational fluid dynamics. VS inclusion resulted in more spatially homogeneous perfusion. Anisotropic permeability resulted in a larger axial velocity component than isotropic permeability. A parameter study revealed that results are most sensitive to the lobule size and radial pressure drop. Our model provides insight into hepatic microhaemodynamics, and suggests that inclusion of VS in the model leads to perfusion patterns that are likely to reflect physiological reality. The model has potential for applications to unphysiological and pathological conditions.
Date Issued
2014-09-10
Date Acceptance
2012-10-24
Citation
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 2014, 17 (12), pp.1295-1310
ISSN
1476-8259
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Start Page
1295
End Page
1310
Journal / Book Title
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
Volume
17
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineeringon 2012, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10255842.2012.744399
Subjects
Hepatic microcirculation
Liver lobule
Computational fluid dynamics
Anisotropic permeability
Porous medium
Vascular septa
Publication Status
Published