Unresolved CFD-DEM for platelet dynamics: a novel approach for large-scale blood simulation

Francesca Zucchelli
PhD Candidate, Université de Genève

Abstract
Cardio and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide and reliable Platelet Function Testing (PFT) is critical for early diagnosis and prevention. However, current PFTs are limited by the difficulty of characterizing platelet dynamics in vitro. To support and improve available tests, we propose a novel in silico approach to model platelet behaviour in large-scale blood flow simulations using the Unresolved CFD-DEM framework. This method couples the finite volume solver OpenFOAM for plasma flow with the discrete element solver LIGGGHTS for suspended particles, enabling microfluidic simulations with high particle counts while retaining key dynamical details. We developed new drag, lift, and torque models for oblate particles with arbitrary orientations, derived from fully resolved lattice Boltzmann simulations across different Reynolds numbers at Stokes regime.
These models capture orientation dependent hydrodynamic forces more realistically than previous single axis formulations. Incorporating these models into the unresolved framework allowed us to simulate platelet margination in blood at 15% Ht, successfully reproducing red blood cell anti margination and platelet migration towards vessel walls.

This seminar is held as part of the European Union’s Horizon GEMINI - project

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