A biomechanical simulation of ureteral flow during peristalsis using intraluminal morphometric data

Reflux nephropathy and vesicoureteral reflux are two of the most important abnormalities in the upper urinary system in which toxins and bacteria from the bladder infect the ureter and the kidney and initiate renal scar formation. A quantitative analysis that characterizes urine flow will further help our understanding of the ureter and also assist in the design of flow aided devices such as valves and stents to correct reflux situations. Here, A numerical simulation with fluid–structure interactions (FSI) using arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation and adaptive mesh procedure was introduced and solved to perform ureteral flow analysis. Incompressible Navier–Stokes equations were utilized as the governing equations of fluid domain. Ureteral in-vivo morphometric data during peristalsis were used to construct the presented model. A nonlinear material model was used to exhibit ureteral wall mechanical properties. Direct coupling method was used to solve the solid, fluid and interface equations simultaneously. Results showed that recirculation regions formed against the jet flow, neighboring the bolus peak. Through wave propagation, separation occurred behind the moving bolus on the wall and ureteropelvic reflux began from that location and extended upstream to the ureteral inlet. The maximum luminal pressure consistently occurred behind the urine bolus during peristalsis. The measured magnitude of maximum volumetric flow rate resulted from isolated bolus transportation was 0.92 ml/min. In conclusion; due to presence of fluid inertial forces during peristalsis, the function of ureteropelvic junction in prevention of reflux is significant, especially at the beginning of peristaltic wave propagation. Moreover, modeling of ureteral function using imaging data will be valuable and it may help physicians to diagnose and cure the abnormalities.

► A FSI numerical simulation was introduced and solved to perform ureteral flow analysis.
► Ureteral in-vivo morphometric data during peristalsis were used to construct the presented model.
► Ureteropelvic reflux began from separation regions behind moving bolus and extended upstream.
► Due to inertial forces, the function of UPJ in prevention of reflux in peristalsis is significant.