Analysis of the "GPATD": Geometrical Influence on Blood Clot Extraction Using CFD Simulation

In this work, we present the study of the influence of geometry on an experimental device recently developed in the UK, called the "GP" Thrombus Aspiration Device (GPTAD). This device has been designed to remove blood clots without the need to make contact with the clot itself, thereby potentially reducing the risk of problems such as downstream embolisation. To obtain the minimum pressure necessary to extract the clot and to optimize blood clot extraction, we simulate the performance of the GPTAD analyzing the pressure losses and pressure distribution taking into account the geometrical effects. Previous full models have been undertaken using the Bond Graph technique. However in this paper we include the analysis of the influence of the of the geometry device using Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation. We model a range of diameters for the GPTAD considering a 95% occlusion case, different lengths and diameters of catheter, and different GP geometric characteristics. In each case we determine the pressure losses and distribution just in front of the attached blood clot.