Visualization of partial occlusions and occlusions near bifurcations in coronary arteries and optimization of saline flushing for optical imaging

Diagnosis and treatment of partial or total occlusions within the coronary arteries can be improved by optical visualization of the occlusion and surrounding artery walls. We investigate, using CFD simulations and invitro experiments, the operation of a novel two-lumen saline suction-injection catheter to understand the saline-blood interactions that clears the volume between the imaging tip and the occlusions and arterial walls. The hemodynamics that control the mixing and evacuation of the opaque blood, and its substitution by transparent saline, are measured. The influence of artery curvature, as well as of arterial bifurcation are investigated since occlusions are commonly found after the left main coronary artery bifurcation. Operational parameters such as distance between the catheter tip and the blockage, as well as the suction-injection flow rates are analyzed to determine the optimum range of operation for saline-flushing catheters.