Date of Graduation

5-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Biomedical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Jensen, Morten

Committee Member/Reader

Jensen, Hanna

Committee Member/Second Reader

Preut, Anne

Abstract

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a condition that involves the occlusion of a blood vessel within the brain, effectively preventing the passage of oxygen and nutrients. AIS is highly prevalent in the United States, where nearly 795,000 strokes happen per year and 87% of those are ischemic. From a medical standpoint, the obstructing clot can be removed with the use of a stroke retrieval device. However, a need arises for testing the aforementioned devices on a patient’s specific vascular geometries in order to increase the likelihood of a successful procedure. Outlined is a process for developing a physical simulation of patient vasculature with adjustable parameters for practical use.

This in-vitro model is created to address the following biological factors: temperature, volumetric flow rate, vessel measurements, and fluid properties of blood. Overall, the model system functions as a continuous loop that draws fluid from a heated reservoir kept at a temperature slightly above 37°C; temperature is observed through the use of a thermocouple thermometer. Similarly, volumetric flow rate is monitored through the use of a flow meter attached to a numerical display. In this case, a hollow silicone vessel was created with particular attention to the lengths and diameters of the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and basilar artery. The vessel is included as a part of the flow loop.

A clot can be introduced into the system to occlude the vessel; this can be visually observed from directly above. Once the vessel has been occluded, the retrieval device can be inserted and used. The resulting parameter changes can be observed. Overall, the factors physically represented in this simulation provide a fairly accurate depiction of cardiovascular biology in relation to AIS.

Keywords

ischemia; flow loop; occlusion

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