Electro-osmosis modulated viscoelastic embryo
transport in uterine hydrodynamics : mathematical modelling

Narla, VK; Tripathi, D; Beg, OA

Abstract

Embryological transport features a very interesting and complex application of peristaltic fluid dynamics. Electro-osmotic phenomena are also known to arise in embryo transfer location. The fluid dynamic environment in embryological systems is also known to be non-Newtonian and exhibits strong viscoelastic properties. Motivated by these applications, the present article develops a new mathematical model for simulating two-dimensional peristaltic transport of a viscoelastic fluid in a tapered channel under the influence of electro-osmosis induced by asymmetric zeta potentials at the channel walls. The robust Jeffrey viscoelastic model is utilized. The finite Debye layer electro-kinetic approximation is deployed. The moving boundary problem is transformed to a steady boundary problem in the wave frame. The current study carries significant physiological relevance with an ever-increasing desire to study intrauterine fluid flow motion in an artificial uterus. The consequences of this model may introduce a new mechanical factor for embryo transport to a successful implantation site. Hydrodynamic characteristics are shown to be markedly influenced by the electro-osmosis, the channel taper angle and the phase shift between the channel walls. Furthermore it is demonstrated that volumetric flow rates and axial flow are both enhanced when the electro-osmotic force aids the axial flow for specific values of zeta potential ratio. Strong trapping of the bolus (representative of the embryo) is identified in the vicinity of the channel central line when the electro-osmosis opposes axial flow. The magnitude of the trapped bolus is observed to be significantly reduced with increasing tapered channel length whereas embryo axial motility is assisted with aligned electro-osmotic force.

Citation

transport in uterine hydrodynamics : mathematical modelling. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 141(2), 021003. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041904

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 15, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Journal: ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0148-0731
• Electronic ISSN: 1528-8951
• Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Volume: 141
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 021003
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041904
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041904
• Related Public URLs: http://biomechanical.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/journal.aspx