Fluid transport across capillary walls in lymphatic circulation - I

Fluid transport in multi capillary system in the pulmonary circulation is modelled as flow between adjacent channels. One channel (the tissue) is an indistensible permeable medium with permeability Κ while the other channel (the blood vessel) is a free space and distends except at the common boundary. The distensibility which is small is characterized by a parameter ε. Asymptotic expansion for small ε is developed and the only matching condition required is the continuity of velocity components at the common boundary. The pressure in the tissue is then reduced to the solution of a linear Fredholm integral equation of the first kind whose kernel is obtained from the equation of the distensible wall. Consequences of the effect of Κ on the various flow parameters are discussed quantitatively. (author). 5 refs, 4 figs