Pulsatile Flow Through a Branching Tube With Collapsing Walls: Volumetric Flow Redistribution

Abstract

A hydraulic collapse mechanism was incorporated into a recirculating pulsatile flow system to collapse an elastic branching tube in a controlled manner. Changes in volumetric flow rate into and out of the tube model as well as axial pressure drop were monitored during this process. It was found that the driven collapse of the tube acted as a pump, the effectiveness of which was dependent on upstream and downstream resistance. In addition, there was noted a difference in the volumetric flow curves representing fluid leaving the pre- and the post-collapsed model under the same inflow conditions.