The ureter and its peristalsis motions have long been of significant interest in biomechanics.
In this article we review experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies of the behavior of the ureter together with its mechanical properties, emphasizing studies that contain information of importance in building a virtual simulation tool of the complete ureter that includes its complex geometry, nonlinear material properties, and interaction with urine flow. A new technique to model the contraction of a ureter, which directly applies wall forces to model pacemaker activities, is presented. The required further steps to capture the full complex movement of the peristalsis are discussed, aiming to construct a computational platform that will provide a reliable tool to assist in the investigation and design of material devices (stents) for the renal system.
Written by:
Hosseini G, Williams JJ, Avital EJ, Munjiza A, Dong X, Green JS. Are you the author?
School of Engineering and Materials science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom; Department of Urology, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whipps Cross University Hospital, Whipps Cross Road, London E11 1NR.
Reference: Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 2013;41(3):259-68.
doi: 10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.2013009704
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24579647
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