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In Vitro 3D Cell-Cultured Arterial Models for Studying Vascular Drug Targeting Under Flow
Published on: March 14, 2021
Computer modeling of controlled microsphere release and targeting in a representative hepatic artery system
Christopher A Basciano1, Clement Kleinstreuer, Andrew S Kennedy
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|February 18, 2010
Summary
This study simulated yttrium-90 (90Y) microsphere delivery for liver tumors. Optimized injection strategies can precisely target tumor-feeding vessels, improving radioembolization treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Interventional Radiology
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Liver tumors are treated with yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization.
- Precise delivery of microspheres to tumor-feeding vessels is crucial for treatment efficacy.
- Current delivery methods lack precise targeting capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal particle release positions and timing for targeted delivery of 90Y microspheres.
- To investigate the influence of hepatic artery geometry and particle characteristics on microsphere trajectory.
- To develop a novel methodology for directing microspheres to specific daughter vessels.
Main Methods:
- Computational modeling of a hepatic artery system using clinical 90Y microspheres (SIR-Spheres, TheraSpheres).
- Simulation of laminar transient 3D particle-hemodynamics.
- Analysis of particle trajectories based on spatial and temporal injection conditions and vessel geometry.
Main Results:
- Optimal release positions and temporal windows were identified for microsphere targeting.
- Vessel curvature significantly influences velocity fields and particle trajectories.
- Particle characteristics had minimal impact during the accelerating phase of the arterial pulse, enabling organized paths.
Conclusions:
- A novel drug-particle targeting methodology can direct 100% of microspheres to specific daughter vessels.
- Optimized delivery strategies enhance the precision of 90Y radioembolization for nonresectable liver tumors.
- Computational modeling provides a pathway for improving targeted cancer therapies.
