177 New Designs of Ventricular Catheters for Hydrocephalus by 3-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics

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INTRODUCTION: Based on a landmark study by Lin et al of the 2-dimensional flow in ventricular catheters (VC) via computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we studied in a previous paper the 3-dimensional flow patterns of 5 commercially available VC. We calculated that most of the total fluid mass flows through the catheter's most proximal holes. In this paper we design 5 VC prototypes with equalized flow characteristics. METHODS: We study 5 prototypes of VC by means of CFD in 3-dimensional (3-D) automated models and compare the fluid-mechanical results with our previous study of currently in use VC. The general procedure for the development of a CFD model calls for transforming the physical dimensions of the system to be studied into a virtual wire-frame model which provides the coordinates for the virtual space of a CFD mesh. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, a system of strongly coupled, nonlinear, partial differential conservation equations governing the motion of the flow field, are then solved numerically. RESULTS: By varying the number of drainage holes and the ratio hole/segment, whether with a simple or tapered hole type, we obtained improved flow characteristics in 5 prototypes of VC. In particular, we equalized the flow pattern through the different hole segments of the new VC prototypes, as disclosed by 3-D CFD. CONCLUSION: New catheter designs with variable hole diameter, number of holes, and ratio hole/segment along the catheter allow the fluid to enter the catheter more uniformly along its length, thus reducing the chance of its becoming occluded.

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