Cerebrovascular Model Equipped with Microsensors

Abstract

Intravascular treatment using catheter, such as coil embolization, flow diverter stent placement and removal of clots, is a less invasive treatment for vascular disease than conventional surgery procedure. Recently, intravascular treatment has been used increasingly because it is useful to reduce patient's burden compared with conventional craniotomy procedure. In this research, cerebral blood vessel models with micro sensors such as ultrasound displacement sensors and fiber-optic pressure sensors are fabricated. It is expected that a blood vessel model with micro sensors is useful to evaluate skillfulness of doctor's technique of intravascular procedure and effectiveness of training. And this model can be used for new medical device developments to evaluate these safety and efficacy. 3D printing system of vessel model has been developed and placement of sensors during the printing procedure is proposed.