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Non-Newtonian flow of pathological bile in the biliary system: experimental investigation and CFD simulations

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Abstract

The paper presents an experimental study of pathological human bile taken from the gallbladder and bile ducts. The flow dependences were obtained for different types of bile from patients with the same pathology, but of different age and sex. The parameters of the Casson’s and Carreau’s equations were found for bile samples. Results on the hysteretic bile behavior at loading-unloading tests are also presented, which proved that the pathologic bile is a non-Newtonian thixotropic liquid. The viscosity of the gallbladder bile was shown to be higher compared to the duct bile. It was found that at higher shear stress the pathological bile behaves like Newtonian fluid, which is explained by reorientation of structural components. Moreover, some pathological bile flow in the biliary system CFD simulations were performed. The velocity and pressure distributions as well as flow rates in the biliary segments during the gallbladder refilling and emptying phases are obtained. The results of CFD simulations can be used for surgeons to assess the patient’s condition and choose an adequate treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Theoretical Mechanics, Perm National Research State Polytechnical University, 29 Komsomolskii Prospect, 614990, Perm, Russia

    Alex G. Kuchumov

  2. Department of Phase Transition Physics, Perm State National Research University, 15 Bukirev Street, 614990, Perm, Russia

    Valeriy Gilev & Vitaliy Popov

  3. Department of General Surgery, Academician E.A. Wagner Perm State Medical Academy, 39 Kuybishev Street, 614990, Perm, Russia

    Vladimir Samartsev & Vasiliy Gavrilov

Authors
  1. Alex G. Kuchumov
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  2. Valeriy Gilev
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  3. Vitaliy Popov
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  4. Vladimir Samartsev
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  5. Vasiliy Gavrilov
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Correspondence to Alex G. Kuchumov.

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Kuchumov, A.G., Gilev, V., Popov, V. et al. Non-Newtonian flow of pathological bile in the biliary system: experimental investigation and CFD simulations. Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 26, 81–90 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13367-014-0009-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13367-014-0009-1

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