Figure 4.

CFD models of the entire channel network were used to get the overall distribution of shear stress in the channel (a). Disturbances in the shear stress were observed in the regions near the flow channel bends when media alone was used. At a higher flow rate of 0.2 m/sec (corresponding to 40 ml/min), reversing flows were found near bends with media alone. However, when 5% (wt/wt) dextran added media was used, the disturbances near the bends were reduced and flow reversal near bends was avoided at the higher flow rate. The average shear stress in all ROIs was calculated from these models (b, average ± standard deviation). Local deformed geometries were used to assess shear stress variations due to the membrane dips during the strain application for an applied flow rate of 40 ml/min and a 0.0037 Pa.s viscosity (c, arrows indicate the flow direction). The shear stress was averaged for the ROIs for all deformed geometries (d, average ± standard deviation).