Device specific aortic outflow cannula jets studied using 2D PIV and high-performance 3D CFD simulation

Our study establishes an experimental means of characterizing the jet wake in pediatric and neonatal arterial cannula jet flows, for the first time. The results were qualitatively found to match CFD simulated jet behavior. The study is presently focused at quantitatively validating CFD and PIV results against each other. Future plans to improve the cuboidal jet flow test rig experiment include research into the uses of novel construction and materials for improved imaging (2D and stereo PIV) as well as precise flow adjustment capabilities. Dynamically scaled larger models of the tested cannulae will also be prepared in order to better observe the developing core jet region, in the same test-rig. A system for altering the angle of cannula injection is also in development. The latter will be specifically employed in order to experimentally quantify jet flows inside actual neonatal aorta models, in-vitro, using PIV. The test-rig will ultimately be used in order to evaluate novel prototype cannula tip designs, made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or PDMS, which will minimize the turbulence in the jet wake seen for the current state-of-the-art cannulae, reducing blood damage and improving surgical outcomes.