TITLE:
Converging Parallel Plate Flow Chambers for Studies on the Effect of the Spatial Gradient of Wall Shear Stress on Endothelial Cells
AUTHORS:
Yiling Lu, Wei-Qi Li, Ilias Oraifige, Wen Wang
KEYWORDS:
Parallel Plate Flow Chamber; Wall Shear Stress; Wall Shear Stress Gradient; Atherosclerosis; Endothelial Cell
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.2 No.2,
April
29,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Many in vitro studies focus on effects of
wall shear stress (WSS) and wall shear stress gradient (WSSG) on endothelial
cells, which are linked to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis in
the arterial system. Limitation in available flow chambers with a constant WSSG
in the testing region makes it difficult to quantify cellular responses to
WSSG. The current study proposes and characterizes a type of converging
parallel plate flow chamber (PPFC) featuring a constant gradient of WSS. A simple
formula was derived for the curvature of side walls, which relates WSSG to flow
rate (Q), height of the PPFC (h), length of the convergent section (L), its
widths at the entrance (w0) and exit (w1). CFD simulation of flow in the
chamber is carried out. Constant WSSG is observed in most regions of the top
and bottom plates except those in close proximity of side walls. A change in Q
or h induces equally proportional changes in WSS and WSSG whereas an alteration
in the ratio between w0 and w1 results in a more significant change in WSSG
than that in WSS. The current design makes possible an easy quantification of
WSSG on endothelial cells in the flow chamber.