Bioengineering Devices Lab
The BDL specializes in biomaterials research and aneurysm treatment/prevention [1], which makes the flow model an important cornerstone of their research. The sponsor of our project is Dr. Tim Becker, the BDL’s Principal Investigator (PI), who is the primary stakeholder of this project. However, the stakeholders with the greatest risk are victims of stroke. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 500,000 people die from brain aneurysms each year, and roughly 66% suffer from long-term neurological deficit [2].
The overall objective of this project is to create an In-Vitro 3D Vessel Cleaning System for the NAU Bioengineering Devices Lab (BDL). The In-Vitro (within the lab environment) flow model is a Circle of Willis model meant to simulate the physiological conditions of human brain vasculature subjected to aneurysms, which makes it suitable for device deployment prior to In-Vivo (within the body) testing and treatment. Due to similarities in material properties, the vasculature model is created from 3D-printed materials.
References:
[1] “Bioengineering Devices Lab Projects,” Mechanical Engineering. [Online]. Available: https://nau.edu/mechanical-engineering/bioengineering/. [Accessed: 06-Mar-2022].
[2] “Statistics and Facts,” Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 05-May-2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.bafound.org/about-brain-aneurysms/brain-aneurysm-basics/brain-aneurysm-statistics-and-fac ts/#:~:text=There%20are%20almost%20500%2C000%20deaths,one%20year%20were%20%24150%20m illion. [Accessed: 04-Mar-2022].
[3] “The top 10 causes of death,” World Health Organization. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death#:~:text=Stroke%20and%20chronic%20obstructive%20pulmonary,4th%20leading%20cause%20of%20death. [Accessed: 05-Dec-2022]
Official Bioengineering Devices Lab Page:
