Modeling of interstitial fluid movement in soft tissue under negative pressure – relevance to treatment of tissue swelling

Abstract

Exact physiological mechanisms behind the potential positive treatment effects of pathological tissue swelling (edema), such as increased interstitial fluid flow, are poorly understood. Finite-element model was created and the model response was matched with the deformation data from the negative pressure (suction) measurements in human (N = 11) forearm. Two experimental suction protocols were simulated to evaluate their impact on interstitial fluid flow in soft tissues. Simulated continuous suction was up to 27 times more efficient in fluid transportation compared to the cyclic suction. The continuous suction that transports the interstitial fluid effectively may help to decrease soft tissue edema.

Keywords:

• Skin
• finite element analysis
• suction treatment
• fluid
• edema

Acknowledgement

CSC – IT Center for Science, Finland, is acknowledged for computational resources and technical support. Dr Mika Mononen, PhD, is acknowledged for technical support.

Conflict of interest

Authors have no conflicts of interest.