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Simulation of Capillary Hemodynamics and Comparison with Experimental Results of Microphantom Perfusion Weighted
Shurche S1, Riyahi Alam N2,3,4
1MSc Student, Physics and Medical Engineering Department, Medical Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Perfusion imaging, one of MRI's techniques, is widely used to test damaged tissues of the body. The parameters used in this technique include cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT). The MRI scanner contains a device called a "phantom", which controls the accuracy of various imaging models.
Objective:
Our goal is to design and produce a microphantom to control the perfusion-imaging model in MRI scanners.
Material And Methods:
Firstly, in an analytical study type, we designed the phantom based on Murray's minimum work rule using AutoCAD software. Next, the phantom was fabricated using lithography and then imaged using a Siemens Magnetom 3T Prisma MRI scanner at the National Brain Laboratory. Finally, the velocity and pressure in the capillary network was simulated using COMSOL software.
Results:
CBF, CBV, and MTT curves for the capillary network were obtained at different times. In addition, the simulations showed that the velocity and pressure in the capillary network were between 0.0001 and 0.0005 m/s and between 5 and 25 mm/Hg, respectively.
Conclusion:
The fabricated microphantom was used to simulate the movement of blood within tissues of the body. Different parameters of perfusion imaging were measured inside the phantom, and they in the phantom were similar to in the body.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel microphantom to accurately control MRI perfusion imaging models. This device simulates blood flow in capillaries, yielding parameters like cerebral blood flow (CBF) comparable to in vivo measurements.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) perfusion imaging assesses tissue damage using parameters like cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT).
- MRI scanners utilize phantoms to ensure the accuracy of imaging models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a microphantom for precise control of MRI perfusion imaging models.
- To validate the microphantom's ability to simulate physiological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analytical design of the microphantom based on Murray's minimum work rule using AutoCAD.
- Fabrication of the microphantom using lithography.
- Imaging the microphantom on a Siemens Magnetom 3T Prisma MRI scanner and simulating capillary network dynamics with COMSOL software.
Main Results:
- Obtained cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT) curves for the capillary network.
- Simulated capillary network velocity ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0005 m/s, with pressures between 5 and 25 mm/Hg.
Conclusions:
- The fabricated microphantom successfully simulated blood flow dynamics within biological tissues.
- Perfusion imaging parameters measured within the microphantom closely resembled those found in vivo.
