System and method to simulate hemodynamics
AssigneeICE Development Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael B. Dancu, John M. Tarbell
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Abstract
A system for hemodynamic simulation comprises a vessel having properties of a blood vessel, a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, tubing connecting the vessel and reservoir, and at least one pump for circulating the fluid within the system. Fluid can be tissue culture medium or blood analog fluid, and the vessel may include mammalian cells attached to its inside. A drive system, comprising two reciprocating drive shafts that are coupled by a cam, enables the uncoupling of pulsatile flow and pulsatile pressure to provide independent control over wall shear stress and circumferential strain. The shaft drives two pumps that are 180 degrees out-of-phase and are connected upstream and downstream of the vessel, and effect this uncoupling.
Claims24
A system for producing biomechanical conditions, the system comprising:
- a vessel through which a fluid may be urged;
- a chamber in which the vessel is received;
- a plurality of pumps configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid, one of the pumps for urging the fluid through the vessel;
- and
- a drive system unit configured to control the pumps, wherein the drive system unit includes at least one of a cam mechanism;
- a multi-bar linkage mechanism;
- a solenoid;
- a stepper motor;
- an electric motor;
- a linear ball actuator;
- a belt-driven actuator;
- or a chain-driven actuator between two of-the plurality of pumps;
- wherein the plurality of pumps and the drive system unit are configured to generate decoupled and independently controllable pressure and flow rate in the chamber.
A system configured to produce biomechanical conditions, comprising:
- a specimen chamber;
- at least one pump positioned upstream of and coupled to an upstream end of the specimen chamber;
- at least one pump positioned downstream of and coupled to a downstream end of the specimen chamber, wherein an upstream pump and a downstream pump are coupled to be operated selectively out of phase and configured to generate decoupled and independently controllable pressure and flow rate in the specimen chamber;
- and
- a reservoir operatively coupled to at least one of the specimen chamber, the upstream pump and the downstream pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.