Isogeometric analysis of blood flow: a NURBS-based approach

We describe a new approach for constructing patient-specific vascular geometries suitable for isogeometric fluid and fluid-structure interaction analysis of blood flow in arteries. We use solid NURBS (non-uniform rational B-splines) to define vascular geometries as well to perform analysis. It is argued in this paper that this new approach is a viable alternative to the finite element method, which is a standard tool for analysis of vascular systems. Advantages of the new approach are discussed and the technique is demonstrated on a variety of patient-specific arterial models.