Modelling fluid and particulate flow through a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a variable temperature environment

One of the most prevalent causes failure for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is blockage, other being infection. This study looks at blockage valve, and whether occlusion valve accelerated by presence an assumes that infection will raise number white blood cells contained in cerebrospinal fluid to fight it thus accelerate occlusion. The experiment simulates system suspending water bath has temperature varies between 37°C 41°C. A computational dynamics model used gain further insight into flow behaviour under these conditions. results CFD were validated using experimental results. There was average error 15% readings obtained model. showed there decrease volume rate outlet system, which not large enough point towards any blockage. Both predictions show increased particulate concentration alone do result occlusion, particularly valve. effectively excluded as region due infection, occurs growth bacteria along surfaces this bacterial more likely occur proximal distal ends system.