Computational Modelling of the Haemodynamic in
Uncoiled and Coiled Cerebral Aneurysm
Benjamin Khoo
AbstractWith an objective to introduce and familiarise with
CFD software. An investigation on the haemodynamic of cerebral
aneurysms for uncoiled and coiled cases have been conducted
using the CFD software. A simplified aneurysm geometry is
constructed to model various different flow. To model the coiled
part of the aneurysm, a technique developed by Nikolas et al was
employed, where porosity medium was used. Simulation results
showed that the increase in number of coil would reduce the
pressure within the aneurysm should blood flow into the aneurysm
is completely obstructed. The simulations also showed that the
current simplified CFD model is insufficient to properly project
the actual condition in the aneurysm as the Non-Newtonian effect
are not significant on steady flow simulation and energy from the
flow are not absorb into the coil which results in higher pressure
in coiled aneurysm compared to uncoiled aneurysm.
KeywordsCerebral Aneurysm, Computational Fluid
Dynamics, Porosity, Newtonian Fluid, Non-Newtonian Fluid
I. INTRODUCTION
Many engineering application requires knowledge of flow
structure to enable engineers to design and manufacture products
that are efficient or even functional. To familiarise with the used
of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), an analysis on the
haemodynamic of cerebral aneurysms under various condition
was conducted.
A cerebral aneurysm is an abnormal focal dilation of
an artery in the brain that results from a weakening of inner
muscular layer of a blood vessel wall [1]. Autopsy studies has
shown that cerebral aneurysm is common with approximately 5
percent of the population will or have cerebral aneurysm [2].
Although studies suggest that most cerebral aneurysms do not
rupture, due to the location of the aneurysm, sudden rupture of
the aneurysm is normally lethal with approximately 30% of the
patient pass away immediately and another 30% within 4 weeks
[3]. Studies have found that aneurysms of diameter less than 10
mm are less likely to rupture than those 10 mm and above. The
rate of rupture for diameter 10 mm or more is about 20 times
that of the rate of smaller aneurysm [2]. The formation of
cerebral aneurysms was believed to be due to several factors
such as genetic, injury, hypertension and cigarette smoking.
However, it is believed that smoking is the major cause for the
formation of cerebral aneurysms with one study shows that 47
percent of the patient were current smokers and 32 percent were
former smokers.
Benjamin Khoo is a 4th year Mechanical Engineering Student in the
Mechanical Engineering Department of UCL
The treatment for cerebral aneurysms consist of either
microsurgical clipping or endovascular aneurysm occlusion.
For microsurgical clipping, the aneurysm is clipped through a
crantiotomy, which is a surgical procedure in which the brain
and the affected blood vessel is accessed through opening of the
human skull [1]. The clip will separate the aneurysm from the
blood vessel hence restoring the normal blood vessel anatomy.
As for endovascular coiling, platinum wire spiral is deployed
into an aneurysm via a microcatheter through a femoral artery
of the leg. The microcatheter then slowly advance to the
selected aneurysm and release the platinum coil into the
aneurysm. With the coil in the aneurysm, the blood pattern is
changed and this will encourage blood clotting at the aneurysm.
This clot will resist entry of blood into the aneurysm, providing
similar effect to a clip [1].
In this paper, the effect of endovascular coiling is
investigated. To do this, CFD modelling was used to model the
flow structure under several flow condition including both
coiled and uncoiled aneurysms, Newtonian and non-Newtonian
flow, physiological flow and abnormally high flow case and
also the effect of porosity and permeability.
II. METHODS
A. Overview
To investigate the effect of the coil in the aneurysm. To identify
how different parameter would affect the flow structure, several
simulations had been run. Below are the lists of simulations ran:
1. Uncoiled Newtonian Case with physiological flow
2. Coiled Newtonian Case with physiological flow
3. Uncoiled Non-Newtonian Case with physiological
flow
4. Coiled Non-Newtonian Case with physiological flow
5. Uncoiled Newtonian Case with abnormally high inlet
velocity
6. Grid independence case
7. Various porosity and permeability case with
physiological flow
B. Modelling of Cerebral Aneurysms
In this work, the system of aneurysm considered is a simple
2D bifurcation aneurysm. Although the construction of the
anatomically accurate vasculature geometry of interest is
important, due to the amount of computational resource
available, only a 2D aneurysm will be modelled and the effect
between different flow condition will only be compared
qualitatively.
The bifurcation aneurysm modelled has three 10 mm
length main vasculature branches with 1.5 mm diameter inlet
branch and two 1 mm diameter outlet branches which are Rate of Transport Transport of
angled at 130. The aneurysm modelled in is an ellipse with 4.5 change + of by = by + Source
mm major radius and 3.5 mm minor radius. The ellipse is of convection diffusion
modelled with its edge located at the apex point between the
two branches. The final model used is as shown Figure 1. To interpolate the cell face value of of both convection and
diffusion term over to other cells, the central differencing
scheme (CDS) was chosen as the discretisation scheme. CDS is
a second-order accurate scheme hence is more accurate than the
first order upwind differencing scheme (UDS) when Peclet
number is smaller than 2 due to UDS solution tend to over-
diffuse [5]. For this reason, CDS is preferred over UDS in this
report. However, since CDS is well known for giving rise to non-
physical oscillation in the numerical solution, damping is used
to stabilise the solution. The CDS with damping is constructed
as shown:
= + (1 ) (5)

Where e is the value of taken at the upstream grid, eUD the e

for UDS, eCD the e for CDS and is the blending factor that
combines the CDS scheme with UDS [6].

Figure 1 Final Model Used for Simulations C. Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluid
Newtonian fluid is a fluid whose shear stress is linearly
The system is discretized into triangular elements. To proportional to the velocity gradient. However, in reality most
then solve these problems, the modelling involves the fluid exhibit non-Newtonian behaviour and this include blood.
numerical solution of the conservation equation of mass, Blood is a pseudoplatic Non-Newtonian Fluid which
momentum and energy. To simplify the model, the fluid flow is means that its viscosity decreases when its velocity increases.
assumed to incompressible and isothermal (it is assumed that This is because when velocity of the red blood cell is high, it
the heat transfers and biochemical interaction between the fluid becomes oriented in direction of flow, resulting in lower
and vasculature branches is negligible), the energy equation can viscosity. On the other hand, when velocity is low, the red blood
be neglected and the continuity and conservation of momentum cells rouleaux and hence higher viscosity [7]. Research showed
equation can be written in a constant density form as shown in that if shear rate is more than 100 s-1, the blood will behave like
(1), (2) and (3) respectively. Newtonian fluid with a constant of 0.0345 Pa s
Since the shear stress between Newtonian and Non-
2 u 2 u


=

+(
x2
+
y2
) (1) Newtonian model are not the same with the latters dynamic
2 v 2 v viscosity not directly proportional to the velocity gradient, the
= + ( + ) (2) dynamic viscosity of the blood will be modelled using a
x2 y2
mathematical relationship. In this report, the Generalised Power
+ =0 (3)
Law is applied and is shown as below.
where is the density of the fluid; this case =1060. u is the x- = ||1 (5)
direction velocity and v is the y-direction velocity. P is the
pressure acting normal to the surface of the cell with the negative Where
sign by definition giving it a compressive stress. is the dynamic
viscosity of the flow where 0.00357 Pa s is used for the ||
Newtonian case. () = + exp [ (1 + ( )) ( ||)] (6)

Although it is not so obvious from (1), (2) and (3), there are ||
significant commonalities between these equations that a () = [ (1 + ( )) ( ||)] (7)

general transport equation can be establish with a general
variable in the following form [4]: Where is the local calculated shear stress, is the consistency
constant, is limiting Newtonian viscosity set at 0.0035, is
0.25, a is 50, b is 3, c is 50 and d is 4.
+ () = ( ) + (4)
The Generalised Power Law consist of Power Law
model at low strain, the Newtonian model at midrange and high
In words the equation means:
strain from about 200s-1 and has the Casson model as a special
case [7].
 D. Laminar Flow and Turbulent Modelling The K- turbulence model have two model equations, one for
To simulate the physiological flow in the body, direct numerical K (kinetic energy) and one for (rate of turbulent dissipation).
solution is used to obtain simulated result. The direct numerical Both k and were used to define velocity scale, and length
solution solves the Navier-Stokes equation without any scale l representative of the large scale turbulence as follows:
turbulence modelling hence able to give a much more accurate The K- turbulence model is one of the most widely
result. used turbulence model in the industry as it performs excellently
However, as the Reynolds number grow, the grid for many industrial relevant flows and is widely validated.
resolution needed increases by Re3 due to memory requirement However, the K- turbulence model performs poorly with large
to be able to deal with all scale of motion and also the time adverse pressure gradient and tends to suppress flow separation
stepping used to advance the equation has to be computed [8]. [4].
Hence with the Reynolds number of the abnormally high flow The K- turbulence model also consist of two model
around 4453, the grid resolution required exceed 8 X 10 10 and equations, the K (kinetic energy) and (specific rate of
the computational resources available is insufficient to simulate dissipation). The main attraction of the K- turbulence model
the case. To overcome this issue, Reynolds-Averaged Navier- is that integration to the wall does not require wall-damping
Stokes (RANS) turbulence model is used to greatly reduce the function in low Reynolds number application. [14] However,
required grid number by compromising some accuracy. its fatal flaws is that it is dependent on the assumed free stream
To solve turbulent flow for RANS, the Navier Stokes value of and also tends to over predict the flow reattachment
equation have to rewritten for time average flow as define length [4] [8].
below: In this simulation, the inlet velocity for the
1 physiological flow is 0.27 m/s and for abnormally high velocity
= 0
is 10 m/s
= (9)
E. Endovascular Coiling Modelling via Porous Media
Where u is the fluctuating term, U is the mean velocity and u To model the system of detachable coil, the approach taken by
is the instantaneous velocity Kakalis et al where the aneurysm volume is modelled as porous
medium is chosen [7]. This approach is taken because of the
Using this new definition, the Navier-Stokes equation can be good approximation of the coiling and also reduce the
rewritten as shown: complexity of the model. The two parameter that needs defining
under this approach is the porosity, , and permeability, k.
In reality, both porosity and permeability is a function
+ =0 of dimension of aneurysm and number of coil placed in the

2 u 2 u aneurysm lumen which can be described in a mathematical

+ ( ) = + ( 2 + 2) model [9]. The porosity and closely related to the permeability
x y
2 and both value can have huge effect on the flow structure of the
v 2 v
+ (
) = + ( 2 + 2) fluid as the porous part of the system geometry uses a modified
x y Navier-Stokes equations with both porosity and permeability
parameter. In this study, a chosen set of porosity and
Note that there is a new term that appears in these instantaneous permeability calculated by Nikolaos et al is used to model the
equations which is the result of the introduction of time coiled aneurysm. Table 1 shows the porosity and permeability
averaged flow. This term involves the fluctuating velocity that of different cases.
is responsible for the convection momentum transfer due to
turbulent eddies and are an additional turbulent stresses on the Table 1 Different Porosity Used for Simulations
mean velocity.
These extra turbulent stresses are called Reynolds Coil Porosity Permeability
stresses and it gave rise to more unknowns to solve both
continuity and conservation of momentum equations. To solve Base Case 0.8 1.00 X 10-8
these new equations, Reynolds stresses needs to be modelled 1 0.964 1.44 X 10-6
which is achieved by using turbulence models. There is various 3 0.892 1.37 X 10-7
turbulent model that are currently available in commercial
CFD, the present work however only evaluates two turbulent 7 0.808 3.57 X 10-8
model due their extensive use in the industry. The two models 10 0.766 2.16 X 10-8
used are: 12 0.749 1.80 X 10-8
K- Turbulence Model 15 0.735 1.55 X 10-8

K- Turbulence Model
 III. RESULTS computational resources, a grid dependency test was performed
on an uncoiled bifurcation aneurysm. The test consists of various
A. Grid Dependence.
To ensure simulation on the haemodynamic of aneurysm are
reasonably accurate without compromising too much on

Velocity Magnitude against Y-axis

0.45
0.4
Velocity Mangnitude m/s

0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
Grid Number 2320
0.15
Grid Number 11903
0.1
Grid Number 20246
0.05
0 Grid Number 39826
-0.003 -0.002 -0.001 0 Y-axis, m0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
Figure 2 Velocity Profile along the y axis at x=0.0114m

0.45
Velocity Magnitude against Y-axis
0.4
0.35
Velocity Mangnitude m/s

0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15 Grid Number 2320
0.1 Grid Number 11903
Grid Number 20246
0.05
Grid Number 39826
0
-0.003 -0.002 -0.001 0 Y-axis, m0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
Figure 3 Velocity Profile along the y-axis at x=0.0114m after flipping flow

unstructured grid with number of triangular element results obtained are all flipped to one side to allow better
ranging between 2 320 to 39 826. Quantitative comparison at comparison between different grid as shown in Figure 3.
the same condition is performed. The Figure 2 below shows From the results from the test suggest that the grid
the velocity profile along the y axis 0.0114 m from the inlet. with 20 246 elements shows that the results are almost
One interesting result obtained from the grid identical to the grid that consist of 39 826 elements. Hence, it
dependency test shows that the blood flow to the top or bottom is deemed sufficient for the purpose of this study.
branch in the bifurcation branch are independent of the
amount of mesh created as shown in Figure 4. Since the
geometry of the bifurcation aneurysm is symmetrical, the flow
structure in the system is too expected to be symmetrical.
However, results obtained shows that flow pattern flips
regardless of the resolution of the grid. Such change is
believed to be due to the algorithm used to create the
unstructured grid where the grid created are never
symmetrical and hence flow might be biased towards one side
where grid number is higher. Hence, the grid dependency

Figure 4 Flow Structure Flipped due to asymmetrical mesh
generation.
B. Newtonian and Non-Newtonian.
A comparison between both Newtonian and Non-Newtonian
case for the uncoiled case shows that there isnt any significant
difference between the two. Figure 5.
Figure 5 Newtonian flow structure (Top) and Non-Newtonian
Flow Structure (Bottom)
Since the Generalised Power law is used, the fluid
will be modelled as Newtonian fluid when strain rate is more
than 200 s-1. Figure 6 show that majority of the flow has a
strain rate of more or equal to 200 s-1, hence flow in these area
exhibit Newtonian behaviour.
The simulation results from both uncoiled
Newtonian and Non-Newtonian shows that the maximum
wall shear stress is at the inlet. This is not surprising as the
velocity of the flow near the wall at the inlet is the highest
because the flow not completely developed. Despite the strain
rate near the wall at this area is more than 200 s-1, and hence
the wall shear stress is expected to be the same, the simulation
shows that the wall shear stress of the Newtonian model is
higher by 1.6%. This is likely due to the viscosity limit set on
the Generalised Power Law which sets the viscosity limit at
which is 2% lower than the Newtonian model used.
Figure 6 Strain Rate throughout the Geometry (Purple indicate
strain rate is more than 200)
When comparing the simulation result from both
base case coiled Newtonian and Non-Newtonian, similar
observation was made on majority of the area. However, in
the aneurysm, due to the porosity media used, the strain rate
rapidly reduced to 0 as shown in the Figure 7. The wall shear
stress correctly reflects the effect on the change of strain rate
with the Newtonian model having a higher stress and as the
strain rate reduces, the wall shear stress of the Non-Newtonian
model increases above the Newtonian Model albeit
insignificant to the overall result as shown in Figure 8
Figure 7 Strain Rate of the coiled aneurysm
 2 Results from the simulations showed that the
difference between Newtonian and Non-Newtonian are
Wall Shear Stress, Pa

Wall Shear Stress against X insignificant despite both model are very distinct. One of the
1.5
possible reason for such observations is due to cardiac cycle
not being used for the simulation. While studies show that
1 Newtonian
steady state simulation does not differ much on average
Non Newtonian compared to cardiac cycle, when blood slows down during the
0.5 cardiac cycle, the wall stress between Newtonian and Non-
Newtonian fluid will differ greatly with Non-Newtonian
0 model having higher Wall shear stress [10]. The steady state
0.0115 0.0135 0.0155 0.0175 0.0195 simulation used in this study might have reduced the overall
X, m importance of the Non-Newtonian model and may lead false
Figure 8 Newtonian model has higher Wall Shear Stress initially interpretation of experimental observation.
which later overtook by Non Newtonian Model

Figure 9 K- Model (Top Left), K- (Top Right), Physiological Flow Model (Bottom) flow structure
C. Abnormally high velocity flow different from both model, this is expected due to its poor
prediction of flow reattachment which suggest its result
An abnormally high inlet velocity on the aneurysm was
might not be reliable. Hence, in this case only K- model is
studied to determine its effect on an uncoiled aneurysm.
considered.
Figure 9 shows the flow structure of both Turbulent Model
The wall shear stress along the top half of the
compared to the physiological flow model with the K-
aneurysm as shown Figure 10 shows a very noisy graph with
model having very similar flow structure to the physiological
its peak value several hundred times larger than those found
flow. The result obtained from K- model however is very
in laminar flow. While the higher wall shear stress is expected 10000
from a turbulent flow with have higher energy compared to

Wall Shear
Stress, Pa
laminar flow, the noise from the graph is unexpected. It is
unknown whether the noise is due to the turbulent nature of 5000
the flow or insufficient resolution at near wall flow, hence
further work on this area in the future is required.
0
0.011 0.016 0.021
X, m
Figure 10 Wall Shear Stress of Top half of the aneurysm

=0.964 =0.892

=0.808 =0.766
 =0.749
= 0 . 8 9 2
Figure 11 Velocity Magnitude in the Aneurysm of Various Porosity from top left clockwise, , =0.892. =0.808, =0.766, =0.749 and =0.735
D. Porosity
One key observation made on the porosity result of the
simulation is there are false porosity gradient as shown in
Figure 12. This false porosity gradient is expected due to
interpolating scheme used. While CDS should minimise the
false gradient, the damping scheme used to improve stability
introduced UDS which increases the false porosity gradient.
To further reduce the false porosity gradient, higher-order
interpolation scheme and greater fine refinement should be
used.
Figure 12 False Porosity Gradient from the Model
Figure 11 shows the result of velocity magnitude
from different porosity and permeability according to Table
1. The figures show that with more coil inserted into the
aneurysm, the blood flow into the aneurysm are slowly
obstructed and no longer able penetrate deep into the
aneurysm when =0.766. To measure the effect of how the
coil reduces the pressure in the aneurysm, a pressure probe is
used to study the pressure at the tip of the aneurysm. Table 2
shows the pressure at the tip of the wall of an uncoiled
aneurysm and coiled aneurysm.
Table 2 Pressure read from probe at tip of aneurysm
Number of Coil Pressure, Pa
=0.735
(Base Case) 134.58
1 126.956
3 128.387
7 143.069
10 151.322
12 147.529
15 144.274
The results from the pressure probes shows that the
pressure in the aneurysm reduces with amount of coil when
the flow is completely obstructed by the coils. However,
when the flow is able to penetrate into the aneurysm, the
pressure in the aneurysm is much lower than the coiled
aneurysm. The reason for this could be likely due to the
simulations physics used that doesnt account for the energy
absorption by the aluminium coil.
IV. CONCLUSION
The study showed that coiled cerebral aneurysms is a
treatment that successfully reduce the risk of aneurysm
rapture. The Newtonian model was found to be a very good
representative of the Non-Newtonian model in a steady state
flow. This finding require further study to ensure that cardiac
cycle would not change the result significantly. The change
of porosity and permeability has also show that it could
represent the different stages of coiling within the aneurysm
but suitable grid resolution and interpolation scheme should
be further studied to ensure the false porosity gradient would
not affect the result.
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