The linear and nonlinear stability of thread-annular flow

The surgical technique of thread injection of medical implants is modelled by the axial pressure-gradient-driven flow between concentric cylinders with a moving core. The linear stability of the flow to both axisymmetric and asymmetric perturbations is analysed asymptotically at large Reynolds number, and computationally at finite Reynolds number. The existence of multiple regions of instability is predicted and their dependence upon radius ratio and thread velocity is determined. A discrepancy in critical Reynolds numbers and cut-off velocity is found to exist between experimental results and the predictions of the linear theory. In order to account for this discrepancy, the high Reynolds number, nonlinear stability properties of the flow are analysed and a nonlinear, equilibrium critical layer structure is found, which leads to an enhanced correction to the basic flow. The predictions of the nonlinear theory are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.