1. Proximal Aorta Pressure and Flow Control for Silicone Models
Sponsored by: Medtronic
Completed by: Ben Allen, Trevor Borelli, Dante Garaventa, Cameron Vreugdenhil, and Michael Weatherson
Advised by: Dr. Dennis O’Connor
Project Overview
The product being delivered to Medtronic:
❖ Recreates the measured thoracic aorta flow and
pressure waveforms shown above to create a realistic
stent graft deployment testing environment.
❖ Is operated via an easy to use LabVIEW program,
which allows for real time data collection.
❖ Assembles in less than 45 minutes to allow for rapid
deployment in test environments.
❖ Fits through most entrance ways to allow
demonstrations for potential customers.
Program
Background
Medtronic is a biomedical
company which is an
innovator in endovascular
repair using non-invasive
surgeries. This diagram
shows a stent graft being
deployed into an aortic
aneurism. Medtronic is
sponsoring this project to
develop a system capable of
simulating physiologically
accurate blood flow
through a silicone model
lololol
lp
in order to test the deployment of new stent graft designs.
Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineering Capstone Design Project 2015/2016
A program created in National Instrument’s LabVIEW
operates the Pressure and Flow Control Systems through
the use of control algorithms. The algorithms optimize
the actuation of the pump and valve during simulation.
Sensor feedback is utilized to ensure water flowing
through the silicone model has the correct pressure and
flow. Shown below is the graphical user interface, which
allows the operator to input custom waveforms. The
program can switch between blood flow simulation and a
jog mode that allows the user to manually control the
pump and valve. The program also incorporates safety
features to ensure the pressure in the model is within safe
operating limits.
The Proximal Pressure and Flow Control system is
mounted on a mobile three-level cart. The top level houses
a thoracic aorta model. Sensors include a pressure
transducer and a flowmeter for monitoring the system.
The pressure regulation system mounts to the outlet of the
model to provide responsive changes to pressure within
the model. The middle shelf houses the flow system and
protects the motor from potential leaks. On the lower shelf,
the various controllers, wiring, and power supplies are
housed and protected by clear plexiglass shieldings.
System
The components of the Pressure and Flow Control
system are shown above. A linear actuator pinches a
tube to restrict flow out of the aorta model. The
restriction of flow increases pressure in the system.
A cross section of the valve structure is shown to the
righ lo
Flow & Pressure Regulation
right. A servo motor actuates a gear pump to deliver consistent dynamic flow
through the aorta. Both the motor driver and linear actuator driver use encoder
feedback to ensure accuracy of velocity and position of the two components. This
precision is necessary to accurately simulate blood flow.