Pulsatile Flow Through Multi-Coupled Idealized Renal Tubules: Fluid-Structure Interaction and Dynamics Pathologies*

Kidney tubules are known to have flow-sensing structures, yet information about the flow itself is very fragmentary. Our aim is to generate a biomechanical model for analyzing fluid flow within an elastic kidney tubule when the driving pressure is pulsatile. We created finite-element numerical models of coupled kidney tubules and determined the flow dynamics and wall stresses over a range of driving frequencies and wall compliances. The results form a basis for including elastohydrodynamic coupling by neighboring tubules via the interstitium. As well, the results analyze how elastic tubules interact with different frequency phases that alter the hydrodynamics of the fluid in the interior and exterior. Overall, we are interested in exploring the idea of ‘dynamics pathology’ to better understand the progression of certain kidney diseases, for example, Polycystic Kidney Disease.