title: Generating an ex vivo vascular model.
abstract: Realistic ex vivo anthropometric vascular environments are required for endovascular device optimization and for preclinical evaluation of interventional procedures. The objective of this research is to build an anthropomorphic model of the human carotid artery. The combination of magnetic resonance angiography image processing and computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques allowed fabrication of multicomponent morphologically precise casts of the carotid artery. The lost core technique was used to produce a hollow vessel prototype incorporating polyvinyl alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) as a tissue-mimicking vessel wall material. PVA-C was mechanically characterized by uniaxial tensile testing after different numbers of freeze/thaw cycles. The novel model construction approach outlined in this study accounts for the morphologic complexities of the human vasculature, and proved successful for the production of realistic compliant ex vivo arterial model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Padraig M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Flynn
authors.forename: Ellen T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Abhay S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Pandit
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol