Creating an In Vitro Model of an Intracranial Aneurysm and Testing the Effectiveness of Flow Diverting Stents

Presenter

Allen Gao

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Juan Jiménez, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A4, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 1 (A1-A20) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

The human brain relies on an intricate network of vasculature to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the organ. Within this complex yet delicate system arises the risk of intracranial aneurysms, which may rupture and lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. One common treatment in the prevention of aneurysm rupture is the use of flow diverting stents. These stents act as a scaffold for endothelialization, in which the body forms new vascular tissue to block off blood flow to the aneurysm.

I am developing a transparent, in vitro model from a Computer Tomography Angiography (CTA) scan of an intracranial aneurysm from a real patient. From the CTA scan, I 3D printed models out of ABS plastic. From there, the plastic models will be coated in a thin layer of silicone and rotated on a 3 axis gyroscope fixture that I 3D printed while it cures. This model is then soaked in acetone, dissolving the ABS plastic and leaving behind a thin-walled silicone model with the shape of the aneurysm retained. The silicone model is then seeded with cells and can be used to test the efficacy of flow diverting stents. This project introduces a novel method to create a patient specific model to test the endothelialization of stents, a critical stage in the remodeling of the artery.

Keywords

intracranial aneurysms, 3D printing, Biomedical Engineering, Fluid dynamics

Research Area

Engineering

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