Multiscale Simulation of Blood Flow in Brain Arteries with an Aneurysm

Multi-scale modeling of arterial blood flow can shed light on the interaction between events happening at micro- and meso-scales (i.e., adhesion of red blood cells to the arterial wall, clot formation) and at macro-scales (i.e., change in flow patterns due to the clot). Coupled numerical simulations of such multi-scale flow require state-of-the-art computers and algorithms, along with techniques for multi-scale visualizations. This animation presents results of studies used in the development of a multi-scale visualization methodology. First we use streamlines to show the path the flow is taking as it moves through the system, including the aneurysm. Next we investigate the process of thrombus (blood clot) formation, which may be responsible for the rupture of aneurysms, by concentrating on the platelet blood cells, observing as they aggregate on the wall of the aneurysm