Abstract
Background: To date hydrocephalus researchers acknowledge the need for rigorous but
utilitarian fluid mechanics understanding and methodologies in studying normal and hydrocephalic
intracranial dynamics. Pressure volume models and electric circuit analogs introduced pressure into
volume conservation; but control volume analysis enforces independent conditions on pressure
and volume. Previously, utilization of clinical measurements has been limited to understanding of
the relative amplitude and timing of flow, volume and pressure waveforms; qualitative approaches
without a clear framework for meaningful quantitative comparison.
Methods: Control volume analysis is presented to introduce the reader to the theoretical
background of this foundational fluid mechanics technique for application to general control
volumes. This approach is able to directly incorporate the diverse measurements obtained by
clinicians to better elucidate intracranial dynamics and progression to disorder.
Results: Several examples of meaningful intracranial control volumes and the particular
measurement sets needed for the analysis are discussed.
Conclusion: Control volume analysis provides a framework to guide the type and location of
measurements and also a way to interpret the resulting data within a fundamental fluid physics
analysis.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Cerebrospinal Fluid Research |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 12 |
ISSN | 1743-8454 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |