Modeling and Simulation of Pipeline Embolization Devices Effects On Fluid Flow Into an Aneurysm

Abstract

This research demonstrates the effects of various Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) designs on the blood flowing into an aneurysm. PEDs are used to reduce blood flow into an aneurysm and therefore allow for the blood vessel to heal. Finding optimal designs for the pores in a PED could help improve aneurysm treatments. In order to carry out this research 3-D models of blood vessels were made with the PED designs inside of them and then numerically modeled in COMSOL. The blood vessel model has a diameter of 4 millimeters, a side branch with a diameter of 1.5 millimeters, and an aneurysm with a height of 15 millimeters. These dimensions were taken from a real patient’s aneurysm. The simulations were run using physiologically realistic pulsating pressure and velocity boundary conditions ranging from 80 to 120 mmhg and from 0.2 to 0.56 meters per second respectively. The results of each simulation are able to be directly compared to each other because the only variable changed between the simulations was the size of the pores in the PED design. The effectiveness of different stent pore sizes was obtained by comparing the flow profiles, velocities, and shear stresses inside of the aneurysm for each of the different PED designs. The results of this study show a linear change in the velocity of blood inside of the aneurysm as the size of the holes decreases. These simulations are the first step in determining an optimal design of PEDs for reducing blood flow into an aneurys