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INTRODUCTION
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United
States today. There has been much effort in the research community
to understand the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related arterial
disorders, and since atherosclerosis begins as highly localized,
sparsely distributed lesions, many believe atherosclerosis is related to
local hemodynamic phenomena in the affected artery. However, the
degree to which local flow characteristics can be related to plaque
formation has yet to be quantified. Our motivation for in vitro
experimentation is to examine local flow characteristics in an attempt
to identify potential fluid mechanic causative factors for localized
cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, and
aortic dissection.
However, prior to performing in vitro
experimentation, complex cardiovascular system models are required.
Previously, researchers have conducted in vitro experimentation,
primarily examining flow characteristics in compliant or rigid models
that represent a small region of the affected artery. Although these
investigations have provided much useful information, the models lack
much of the complexity of the cardiovascular system, which
necessarily alters the flow boundary conditions. We have identified a
modeling process that allows for the development of large, complex
cardiovascular system models. The process utilizes a fused deposition
modeling (FDM) rapid prototyping (RP) system manufactured by
Stratasys, Inc. As part of the FDM process, a thermoplastic material is
extruded through a nozzle creating the model in layers. Since complex
three-dimensional (3D) objects are created using this machine, the
process requires two heads: one extruding the primary material and the
second extruding a support or release material. This process is
highlighted in Figure 1 where an abdominal aorta is being
manufactured. The left image shows the FDM machine manufacturing
the abdominal aorta out of an ABS plastic, also illustrating the amount
of support material required for this model. The right image illustrates
the final abdominal aorta model after the support material has been
removed. It is this support material that allows us to manufacture
complex cardiovascular system models.
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Figure 2. Model of pig aorta and bypass graft with the WaterWorksTM
mold on the left and compliant silicone vessel on the right.
The simple example shown in Figure 2 illustrates the quality of
vascular models produced using this technique.
The current
manufacturing methods are being adapted to create entire vascular
system models from CT and MRI scans. Segments of the system are
manufactured using the RP machine and put together utilizing the
soldering technique. As a result, we believe this technique will allow
entire cardiovascular system models to be manufactured for extensive
hemodynamic analyses.
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