Anatomics has developed two types of vascular BioModels based on 3D imaging data:

1. Flexible, hollow, walled BioModels for endovascular surgery simulation;
2. Rigid, transparent vascular phantoms for blood flow analysis.

Anatomics can create flexible BioModels of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and other blood vessels from CT Angiography data. Such BioModels accurately replicate the vessel lumen as highlighted by the intra-venous contrast. These BioModels were the first of their kind when created by Anatomics in early 1996. Special tools within BioBuild are used to accurately reconstruct the blood vessel wall so as to accurately reproduce the internal lumen. The inclusion of the femoral arteries along with the aortic aneurysm allows the BioModels to be used as flow phantoms and to simulate stenting procedures. Such BioModels may also used for customisation of endovascular grafts.

Figure 1: Flexible AAA BioModels from CT Angiography data.
Figures 2 & 3: Transparent vascular flow phantom of a Basilar Artery Aneurysm.

Transparent flow phantoms are used by clinical researchers to map blood flow dynamics in abnormal vascular anatomy. Such BioModels have demonstrated utility in obtaining precise blood flow profiles in aneurysms and other vascular abnormalities such as arterio-venous malformations.

Click here to see related applications in Cerebrovascular BioModelling