Title:
Computational Investigation of Lymphatic Valves and Vessels

dc.contributor.advisor Alexeev, Alexander
dc.contributor.author Wolf, Ki Tae
dc.contributor.committeeMember Dixon, J. Brandon
dc.contributor.committeeMember Gleason, Rudolph
dc.contributor.committeeMember Hu, David
dc.contributor.committeeMember Khismatullin, Damir
dc.contributor.department Mechanical Engineering
dc.date.accessioned 2021-09-15T15:40:52Z
dc.date.available 2021-09-15T15:40:52Z
dc.date.created 2021-08
dc.date.issued 2021-05-13
dc.date.submitted August 2021
dc.date.updated 2021-09-15T15:40:52Z
dc.description.abstract The lymphatic system transports macromolecules and fluids throughout the body via contractions of lymphatic vessels. This flow from vessel contractions is regulated by unidirectional lymphatic valves, which allow lymphatic pumping against adverse pressure gradient. Despite the importance of the lymphatic system, understanding of lymphatic operation, especially the role of lymphatic valves, is still limited. By using a fully coupled three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction model created using lattice Boltzmann method and lattice spring model, we computationally investigate the role of lymphatic valve and vessel properties on lymphatic pumping. First, the effect of lymphatic valve properties such as valve aspect ratio and bending stiffness on pumping performance is investigated with a rigid lymphatic vessel. This study found that shorter and more flexible valves generally reduce flow resistance but valves that are too short cannot block backflow properly. Then, the effect of lymphatic valve and vessel properties on pumping performance under vessel contraction is studied. This study showed that lymphatic valve and vessel properties have complex relationship with lymphatic pumping, and all parameters investigated have optimal conditions with maximum pumping efficiencies. Finally, a model of lymphatic filarial worm is created and introduced to the model of lymphatic valve and vessel to investigate the worm’s behavior when navigating through the lymphatic system. Overall, this work highlights many important parameters of lymphatic valve and vessel that affect lymphatic operation and provides insights into conditions that may cause lymphatic disorders.
dc.description.degree Ph.D.
dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/1853/65022
dc.language.iso en_US
dc.publisher Georgia Institute of Technology
dc.subject Computational modeling
dc.subject Numerical modeling
dc.subject Lymphatic system
dc.subject Lymphatic valve
dc.subject Lymphatic vessel
dc.subject Three dimensional
dc.subject Fully-coupled
dc.subject Fluid-structure interaction
dc.subject Lattice-Boltzmann method
dc.title Computational Investigation of Lymphatic Valves and Vessels
dc.type Text
dc.type.genre Dissertation
dspace.entity.type Publication
local.contributor.advisor Alexeev, Alexander
local.contributor.corporatename George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
local.contributor.corporatename College of Engineering
relation.isAdvisorOfPublication 8a8eb02b-5a63-48f6-8f45-e4fccd1a3546
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication c01ff908-c25f-439b-bf10-a074ed886bb7
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 7c022d60-21d5-497c-b552-95e489a06569
thesis.degree.level Doctoral
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