@article{TauwaldMichelBrandtetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Michel, Johanna and Brandt, Marie and Vielsmeier, Veronika and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Experimental studies and mathematical modeling of the viscoelastic rheology of tracheobronchial mucus from respiratory healthy patients}, series = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, volume = {18}, journal = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {PAGEPress}, address = {Pavia, Italy}, issn = {2049-6958}, doi = {10.4081/mrm.2023.923}, pages = {12}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial mucus plays a crucial role in pulmonary function by providing protection against inhaled pathogens. Due to its composition of water, mucins, and other biomolecules, it has a complex viscoelastic rheological behavior. This interplay of both viscous and elastic properties has not been fully described yet. In this study, we characterize the rheology of human mucus using oscillatory and transient tests. Based on the transient tests, we describe the material behavior of mucus under stress and strain loading by mathematical models. METHODS: Mucus samples were collected from clinically used endotracheal tubes. For rheological characterization, oscillatory amplitude-sweep and frequency-sweep tests, and transient creep-recovery and stress-relaxation tests were performed. The results of the transient test were approximated using the Burgers model, the Weibull distribution, and the six-element Maxwell model. The three-dimensional microstructure of the tracheobronchial mucus was visualized using scanning electron microscope imaging. RESULTS: Amplitude-sweep tests showed storage moduli ranging from 0.1 Pa to 10000 Pa and a median critical strain of 4 \%. In frequency-sweep tests, storage and loss moduli increased with frequency, with the median of the storage modulus ranging from 10 Pa to 30 Pa, and the median of the loss modulus from 5 Pa to 14 Pa. The Burgers model approximates the viscoelastic behavior of tracheobronchial mucus during a constant load of stress appropriately (R2 of 0.99), and the Weibull distribution is suitable to predict the recovery of the sample after the removal of this stress (R2 of 0.99). The approximation of the stress-relaxation test data by a six-element Maxwell model shows a larger fit error (R2 of 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a detailed description of all process steps of characterizing the rheology of tracheobronchial mucus, including sample collection, microstructure visualization, and rheological investigation. Based on this characterization, we provide mathematical models of the rheological behavior of tracheobronchial mucus. These can now be used to simulate mucus flow in the respiratory system through numerical approaches.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BirkenmaierSteigerPhilippetal., author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Steiger, Tamara and Philipp, Alois and Lehle, Karla and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Flow-induced accumulations of von Willebrand factor inside oxygenators during extracorporeal life support therapy}, series = {Proceedings of 12th International Conference BIOMDLORE 2018, June 28-30, 2018, Białystok, Poland}, booktitle = {Proceedings of 12th International Conference BIOMDLORE 2018, June 28-30, 2018, Białystok, Poland}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {Piscataway, NJ}, isbn = {978-1-5386-2396-1}, doi = {10.1109/BIOMDLORE.2018.8467205}, pages = {3}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Shear-induced conformational changes of von Willebrand factor (vWF) may be responsible for coagulation disorder and clot formation inside membrane oxygenators (MOs) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify vWF structures inside clinically used MOs and employ computational fluid dynamics to verify the corresponding flow conditions. METHODS: Samples from gas exchange membranes (GEM) from MOs were analysed for accumulations of vWF and P-selectin-positive platelets using immunofluorescence techniques. Streamlines and shear rates of the flow around GEMs were computed using a laminar steady Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes approach. RESULTS: Most samples were colonized with equally distributed leukocytes, integrated in thin cobweb-like vWF-structures. Only 25 \% of the samples showed extended accumulations of vWF. Computed streamlines showed considerable cross flow between interconnected neighbouring channels. Stagnation points were non-symmetric and contact faces were washed around closely. The occurring maximum shear rates ranged from 2,500 to 3,000 1/s. CONCLUSIONS: If pronounced vWF structures are present, shape and extent match the flow computations well. Computed shear rates bear a critical degree of uncertainty due to the improper viscosity model. If flow conditions inside the MO were sufficient to affect vWF, a more consistent distribution of vWF across the samples should be present.}, language = {en} } @article{BirkenmaierDorniaLehleetal., author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Dornia, Christian and Lehle, Karla and M{\"u}ller, Thomas and Gruber, Michael and Philipp, Alois and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by High-resolution Microcomputed Tomography: A Feasibility Study}, series = {ASAIO Journal / American Society for Artificial Internal Organs}, volume = {66}, journal = {ASAIO Journal / American Society for Artificial Internal Organs}, number = {8}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, issn = {1538-943X}, doi = {10.1097/MAT.0000000000001089}, pages = {922 -- 928}, abstract = {Coagulative disorders, especially clotting during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, are frequent complications. Direct visualization and analysis of deposits in membrane oxygenators using computed tomography (CT) may provide an insight into the underlying mechanisms causing thrombotic events. However, the already established multidetector CT1 (MDCT) method shows major limitations. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying industrial micro-CT (μCT) to circumvent these restrictions. Three clinically used membrane oxygenators were investigated applying both MDCT and μCT. The scans were analyzed in terms of clot volume and local clot distribution. As validation, the clot volume was also determined from the fluid volume, which could be filled into the respective used oxygenator compared to a new device. In addition, cross-sectional CT images were compared with crosscut oxygenators. Based on the μCT findings, a morphological measure (sphericity) for assessing clot structures in membrane oxygenators is introduced. Furthermore, by comparing MDCT and μCT results, an augmentation of the MDCT method is proposed, which allows for improved clot volume determination in a clinical setting.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MarkusRuettenKrenkelKessler, author = {Markus R{\"u}tten, and Krenkel, Lars and Kessler, Roland}, title = {Secondary Flow Effects as Physical Mechanism of Molecular Species Transport in Highly Oscillating Generic-Trachea Flows}, series = {83rd Annual Scientific Conference of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 26.-30. M{\"a}rz 2012, Darmstadt, Germany}, booktitle = {83rd Annual Scientific Conference of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 26.-30. M{\"a}rz 2012, Darmstadt, Germany}, abstract = {The high frequency oscillation artificial respiration technique is often the last hope for patients to survive highly damaged lung tissue. The mortality can significantly be reduced. In comparison to conventional artificial respiration the applied volume flow rate and pressure is significantly lowered in order to avoid further damaging of lung tissue and remaining intact alveolae. However, the physical mechanism of transport of oxygen to the aeriols under high frequency oscillation is not well understood. In the upper part of the lung convection is dominant, in contrast, the gas exchange in the lower parts of the lung is mainly driven by diffusion. It is not clear how associated gradients of concentrations of different molecular species are then achieved. Highly oscillating fluid flows has been a long research topic in fluid dynamics. It is known that oscillating pressure fluctuations are able to induce secondary flows, in particular, in curved ducts and pipes. The question is, whether the trachea enforces the generation of secondary flow by its kidney like cross section geometry. The influence of molecular species of different densities onto the formation of secondary flows and the convectional transport within the trachea is investigated. In order to clarify the physical mechanisms behind flow simulations have been conducted by using state of the art CFD techniques.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FriedrichFeldmannKrenkeletal., author = {Friedrich, Janet and Feldmann, Daniel and Krenkel, Lars and Wagner, Claus and Schreiber, Laura Maria}, title = {19F Gas Flow Measurement of C3F7H During Constant Flow and High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation}, series = {Discovery, innovation \& application - advancing mr for improved health : ISMRM 21st Annual Meeting \& Exhibition ; SMRT 22nd Annual Meeting Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 20-26 April 2013}, volume = {21}, booktitle = {Discovery, innovation \& application - advancing mr for improved health : ISMRM 21st Annual Meeting \& Exhibition ; SMRT 22nd Annual Meeting Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 20-26 April 2013}, organization = {International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, abstract = {The aim of the current study is the development of MRI methods that enable the investigation of gas flow mechanisms during high frequency oscillatory ventilation. This work includes flow measurements during three constant flows (19.9, 30.6 and 41.4 L min-1) and the comparison to direct numerical simulations (DNS) using a second-order-acurate finite-volume method and to data measured with a volume flow meter. 19F-MRI, DNS and flow meter data are in good agreement. Flow measurements during HFOV of 4 Hz were successfully performed and velocity profiles could be recorded at different phases of the ventilation cycle.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BirkenmaierKrenkel, author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Convolutional Neural Networks for Approximation of Blood Flow in Artificial Lungs}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIII: Contributions to the 22nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIII: Contributions to the 22nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, number = {1. Auflage}, editor = {Dillmann, Andreas and Heller, Gerd and Kr{\"a}mer, Ewald and Wagner, Claus}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-79560-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-79561-0_43}, pages = {451 -- 460}, abstract = {Blood flow in channels of varying diameters <500μm exhibits strong non-linear effects. Multiphase finite volume approaches are feasible, but still computationally costly. Here, the feasibility of applying convolutional neural networks for blood flow prediction in artificial lungs is investigated. Training targets are precomputed using an Eulerian two-phase approach. To match with experimental data, the interphase drag and lift, as well as intraphase shear-thinning are adapted. A recursively branching regression network and convolution/deconvolution networks with plain skip connections and densely connected skips are investigated. A priori knowledge is incorporated in the loss functional to prevent the network from learning non-physical solutions. Inference from neural networks is approximately six orders of magnitude faster than the classical finite volume approach. Even if resulting in comparably coarse flow fields, the neural network predictions can be used as close to convergence initial solutions greatly accelerating classical flow computations.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TauwaldQuadrioRuettenetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Quadrio, Maurizio and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {High Spatial Resolution Tomo-PIV of the Trachea Focussing on the Physiological Breathing Cycle}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, publisher = {Springer}, abstract = {Investigations of complex patient-specific flow in the nasopharynx requires high resolution numerical calculations validated by reliable experiments. When building the validation base and the benchmark of computational fluid dynamics, an experimental setup of the nasal airways was developed. The applied optical measurement technique of tomo-PIV supplies information on the governing flow field in three dimensions. This paper presents tomo-PIV measurements of the highly complex patient-specific geometry of the human trachea. A computertomographic scan of a person's head builds the basis of the experimental silicone model of the nasal airways. An optimised approach for precise refractive index matching avoids optical distortions even in highly complex non-free-of-sight 3D geometries. A linear-motor-driven pump generates breathing scenarios, based on measured breathing cycles. Adjusting of the CCD cameras' double-frame-rate PIV-Δt enables the detailed analysis of flow structures during different cycle phases. Merging regions of interest enables high spatial resolution acquisition of the flow field.}, language = {en} } @misc{BirkenmaierDorniaLehleetal., author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Dornia, Christian and Lehle, Karla and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Feasibility of detecting thrombotic deposits in membrane oxygenators using micro computed tomography}, series = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, journal = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TschurtschenthalerKrenkelSchreiner, author = {Tschurtschenthaler, Karl and Krenkel, Lars and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Mechano-optical micro pillar sensor for biofluidmechanic wall shear stress measurements}, series = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, booktitle = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, language = {en} } @misc{TauwaldKrenkel, author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Elementary experimental setup for flow visualization in upper human respiratory tract}, series = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, journal = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, language = {en} } @misc{WagnerKrenkelDoenitzetal., author = {Wagner, Thomas and Krenkel, Lars and D{\"o}nitz, Christian and Brawanski, Alexander}, title = {Influence of CFD Strategy on WSS and OSI Determination for Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture Assessment}, series = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, journal = {25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria}, language = {en} } @misc{Krenkel, author = {Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Relevanz von Aerosolen im klinischen Kontext}, series = {Innovationstag Hygiene 2021, Continental Arena, Regensburg, Deutschland}, journal = {Innovationstag Hygiene 2021, Continental Arena, Regensburg, Deutschland}, language = {de} }