Flow phenomena in floppy tubes

• Published in: Contemporary physics Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 45 - 60
• Main Author: Bertram, CD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Ltd 01-01-2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anatomy & physiology; Applied fluid mechanics; Biological and medical sciences; Biological materials: blood, collagen, wood, food, etc; Biomechanics. Biorheology; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hydrodynamics, hydraulics, hydrostatics; Material types; Mechanical properties of tissues and organs; Physics; Rheology; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Unsteady flow; Fluid dynamics; Self excitation; Collapsible tube; Oscillation; Blood flow
• ISSN: 0010-7514; 1366-5812
• DOI: 10.1080/00107510310001639878

Collapsible tubes, which occur all over the body, have unique properties from the point of view of both physics and physiology. A brief review is attempted of first the basic observable properties, followed by simple theory to explain the steady-flow aspects and an overview of the somewhat more complex theories for unsteady flow, in particular the flow-induced oscillations. The experimental evidence from laboratory studies is reviewed with particular emphasis on the dynamical system aspects. A final section looks at the current position and prospects.