vnc (vascular network creator):

• console based network creation

• read/write/create *.csv tables for arterial data and boundary conditions

• in-build unit conversion

• visualisation of the network topology while building

• update function: direct transfer of *.csv data to STARFiSh-XML format

• network creation from scratch or data

• read/write network description to *.STARFiSh-XML format

The STARFiSh deterministic flow solver:

• fast object oriented network solver written in python

• number crunshing in Fortran and C based on scipy and numpy

• large variety of submodels for arterial compliance, boundary conditions, arterial girds

• convenient addition of new submodels as boundary conditions, compliance and grid models

• 18 different boundary conditions, amongst others: varying elastance heart model, 2/3 Element Windkessel, reflection coefficients, flow/pressure from data

• prescription of pressure and flow waves at the boundary as “total” or “influx”

• estimation methods for Windkessel compliances

• 3 different grid models: uniform, cone, constriction (alpha)

• 5 different compliance models

• 3 different artery connection models: link, bifurcations, anastomosis

• 4 different network initialisation methods

• continuous simulation time

• non linear momentum equation for arteries

• McKormac scheme: second order in space and time

• boundary conditions and connections are solved with Riemann Invariants

• pressure and flow based Riemann Invariants

• linear and non-linear Riemann Invariants

• possibility to simulate with rigid and elastic walls

• CFL dependent grid adaptation for all arteries in the network

• on the fly 2D visualisation i.e. visualize while simulating

• individual blood properties for each artery

• communicator to the solver to other programs and codes

• convenient and human readable input data: STARFiSh-XML file format

• unit conversion for STARFiSh-XML file format

• gravity model (beta)

• velocity profile and wall shear stress calculation based on power law profiles

Post processing:

2D Visualisation tool:

• GUI environment
• plot of pressure and flow
• plot linear and non-linear wave splitting
• plot of area impedance and gravity
• plot of CFL number and wave speed of time
• plotting variables in medical units and SI units
• plot of variables over space (vessel length) and time
• creation of videos from space plots (alpha version)
• in-build peak detection
• comparison of 2 simulation results
• comparison with external data of pressure and flow
• navigation tool bar for zoom, translation of plots
• save plots in various formats (e.g. *.png,*.tiff,*.pdf,*.svg ..) 

3D Visualisation tool:

• GUI environment for enhanced control
• OpenGL based rendering for smooth real time visualisation
• visualisation of 3d geometry based on simulation results
• adaptable visualisation speed
• adaptable vessel wall movements for better understanding
• colour mapping of pressure and flow data on the vessel geometry
• 4 different pressure/flow look up tables (colour ranges)
• colour mapping of wave splitting i.e. forward/ backward waves on the vessel geometry for pressure and flow
• left/right colouring for wave split colour mapping
• creation of screenshots
• creation of videos