Development of cerebral artery mimicking system

To understand the characteristics of blood flow within the cerebral artery, many kinds of models were presented to mimic the cerebral artery. Some models are based on in vivo models which relates to the surgical operations on animal brains and other models are computed mathematically with the aid of computer software. However, not many researches are performing studies on in vitro mechanical models. Studies have also shown the inaccuracies of using animal based models to experiment the characteristics of blood flow within the cerebral artery system. Such animal based models cannot be comparable to the human physiological cerebral anatomy. The aim of this report is to identify the blood flow characteristics in the cerebral artery, more specifically in the region of Circle of Willis, by using a mechanical model and obtaining results for investigations. Certain experimental parameters are used to further understand the flow characteristics such as the presence of occlusion within the segments of the cerebral artery network and also the velocity in each segment of the cerebral artery model. In conclusion, the highest flow rate (an increase of more than 200%) was observed at the Posterior Cerebral Communicating Artery segment when occlusion was present in either the Anterior Cerebral Artery or the Posterior Cerebral Artery. Therefore, further investigations can be done to remedy such occlusion hazard. The cerebral artery brain tissue mimicking model created in this experiment can be used as an experimental aid for non-invasive method of treatment. The reliance of focus ultrasound can be tested and maybe used to substitute for current treatment procedures.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering