MRI of the Circle of Willis
We obtained a CAD file of a circle of Willis MRI and referenced it to produce the angles of our own CAD file. The MRI was a good reference but it needed to be smoother for the print and our client.
Aneurysms suck.
So we're gonna help do something about that.
Because we like doing fun things like that and such.
The goal of this project was to design and construct an anatomically correct in-vitro model of the circle of Willis for the purpose of testing intravenous catheters to treat aneurysms. Additional goals within the purview of this project was the construction of a testing peripheral platform compatible with a Discovery HR-2 hybrid rheometer to quantify physical properties and dimensions of the model such as frictional coefficients and force values. The secondary objective was to construct a mobile cart to contain the circle of Willis model, centrifugal artificial blood pump, artificial blood reservoir, data acquisition interface, integrated computer, and an uninterruptible power supply battery backup to allow the transportation of the model and peripherals while in operation. Research had been conducted concerning mechanical and dynamic properties of the circle of Willis, modeling and molding techniques of biological systems, along with suitable materials to mimic biological material properties. The model simulates endothelial cell wall friction coefficients, elasticity coefficients, the circle of Willis dimensions, average human resting blood pressure, and volumetric flow rates.
So much has been done. Here is some insight into our achievements.
Photographical evidence of stuff in case you really wanted to see it? Maybe? Potentially? Yeah...
We obtained a CAD file of a circle of Willis MRI and referenced it to produce the angles of our own CAD file. The MRI was a good reference but it needed to be smoother for the print and our client.
From the obtained CAD file and peer reviewed medical journals, we produced a smooth CAD file of the circle of Willis that made molding more effective and accurate. By creating our own CAD file, it also ensured that our 3D print of the artery system would be successful in Polyvinyl alcohol.
The team printed the circle of Willis in Polyvinyl alcohol and placed it within Polyurethane. After the Polyurethane solidified, we drilled into the mold to expose the entrances of the circle of Willis Polyvinyl alcohol print. By placing the model in boiling water, the agitating water dissolved the Polyvinyl alcohol leaving a void with the shape and dimensions of the circle of Willis.
As the ultimate goal of the project is the fabrication of a model that would simulate the circle of Willis, a setup is necessary to test the firctional values of the model. Fortunately, our project client has a force rheometer that we can use to validate the project. We designed and fabricated a component that we can add onto the rheometer for redirecting a catherty into the model. A cart was assembled with tubes flowing artificial blood along with a pulsatile pump. The final assembly is presented in the picture to the left.
Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. - Tyunosuke Satoro
Team Project Manager
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Material Science Lead
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Manufacturing Lead
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