Distribution networks achieve uniform perfusion through geometric self-organization

TL;DR

This paper shows how local adaptive rules in flow networks can lead to self-organization, resulting in uniform nutrient delivery across tissues, with potential applications in mechanics-based tissue models.

Contribution

It introduces a geometric adaptive rule coupling tissue growth with nutrient density that enables flow networks to self-organize for uniform perfusion.

Findings

Flow networks can self-organize for uniform nutrient delivery.

The adaptive rule couples tissue growth with nutrient density.

Potential for application in mechanics-based tissue models.

Abstract

A generic flow distribution network typically does not deliver its load at a uniform rate across a service area, instead oversupplying regions near the nutrient source while leaving downstream regions undersupplied. In this work we demonstrate how a local adaptive rule coupling tissue growth with nutrient density results in a flow network that self-organizes to deliver nutrients uniformly. This geometric adaptive rule can be generalized and imported to mechanics-based adaptive models to address the effects spatial gradients in nutrients or growth factors in tissues.