A Computational Study on Swirl Generator Designs for Carotid Arteries by Inducing Helical Flow

Atherosclerotic plaque formation, driven by abnormal hemodynamics, particularly low wall shear stress (WSS) and disturbed flow, is a significant cause of cardiovascular diseases. To address this, the study introduces a swirl generator—a stent-like device incorporating triangular ribs—intended to induce controlled helical flow. This artificial helicity minimizes recirculation zones and reduces the relative residence time (RRT) of atherogenic particles, thus lowering the risk of plaque buildup. The study utilizes patient-specific computed tomography (CT) angiography data to develop three-dimensional artery models. Computational simulations are performed to assess the influence of the swirl generator on carotid artery flow in patient-specific models. The study indicates that higher rib height and increased numbers of ribs promote stronger helical flow and reduce recirculation zones. Among the various designs tested, the configuration with the greatest rib height and number of ribs significantly improved hemodynamic conditions but at the cost of increased flow resistance. This research suggests that patient-specific customization of the swirl generator could optimize its efficacy, making it a promising tool for reducing atherosclerotic risk in carotid arteries.