Dialysis fluid dynamics

An SMP dialysis needle adapter has been developed to reduce the hemodynamic stresses during dialysis [61], The adaptor has been proposed to pass through the dialysis needle, expand upon heating to body temperature, and be retracted when the procedure is completed. Computational fluid dynamics and in vitro visualizations showed that the wall shear stresses were reduced by the adapter s elimination of jet impingement (Fig. 6). 

In the field of accessories for medical devices, Ortega and Small (2007) studied the effect of a thermally deployable SMP-based adapter for kidney dialysis needles, designed to reduce haemodynamic stress on the arteriovenous grafts. This tube-shaped adapter can be delivered through the needle and thermally deployed upon blood contact. Both computational fluid dynamics simulations and in vitro flow visualization measurements show that the adapter is able to redirect the needle flow so that its impact on the vascular grafts is reduced. 

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