title: Computational analysis of blood clot dissolution using a vibrating catheter tip.
abstract: We developed a novel concept of endovascular thrombolysis that employs a vibrating electroactive polymer actuator. In order to predict the efficacy of thrombolysis using the developed vibrating actuator, enzyme (plasminogen activator) perfusion into a clot was analyzed by solving flow fields and species transport equations considering the fluid structure interaction. In vitro thrombolysis experiments were also performed. Computational results showed that plasminogen activator perfusion into a clot was enhanced by actuator vibration at frequencies of 1 and 5 Hz. Plasminogen activator perfusion was affected by the actuator oscillation frequencies and amplitudes that were determined by electromechanical characteristics of a polymer actuator. Computed plasminogen activator perfused volumes were compared with experimentally measured dissolved clot volumes. The computed plasminogen activator perfusion volumes with threshold concentrations of 16% of the initial plasminogen activator concentration agreed well with the in vitro experimental data. This study showed the effectiveness of actuator oscillation on thrombolysis and the validity of the computational plasminogen activator perfusion model for predicting thrombolysis in complex flow fields induced by an oscillating actuator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myongji University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Bye Ri
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Seung Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyehan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jho
authors.forename: Moon Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology*; D057785:Catheters; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D061185:Mechanical Thrombolysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014732:Vibration